WAIRARAPA CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY FACTORIES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 11685, 21 June 1901, Page 7

WAIRARAPA CO-OPERATIVE DAIRY FACTORIES.

The value of tho dairying industry in tho "Wairarapa is very considerable indeed, forming, as it does, the staple means of support of many hundreds of people. Co-operative dairying is by far the most popular system with Wairarapa dairymen, nearly all the factories being run on purely co-operative lines. In all there are five co-operative dairy factories, tho value of their output for the present season—an exceptionally successful one —being estimated at about" £45.000. The •following is a brief description of each factory : — GREYTOWN. The Groymouth Co-operative Dairy Factory is situated about three-quarters" of a culo from the centre of the town, and. has the advantage of being close to the railway stationa very great convenience when one comes to consider the question of carting the produce. The building presents a very plea ing external appearance, and it is caoito'lly"l7iid off in tho interior. The situation is a dry one, which is an important mat'. v. hen the making of cheese is contemnlated. Tho factory is under the charge of Mr. 71. \dainson manager, who was previously first assistant! and prior to that gained considerable experience in checsemaking in the South Island. The Grey town Co-operative Dairy Company was formed in 1396, and, like the industry of which it forms a part, has steadily increased in importance since its forrm't'ot' Tho nominal capital of the company is £ 9 006 the subscribed capital £1200, one pound chares being taken up to that extent, of which 16.; 8d per share has been paid. Another season has yet to run before all the sub-c.-i'xu capital will be fully paid, up . 'J-;,,, Jan.l «-■» .' purchased, factory erected, and the necessary .plant put in at a. total cost of £950. Stm.o that lime, however, tho plant has been ulded to at a cost of £100, on account of e\tre suppliers. Messrs. L. St. George, Coleman -thillins, and K. 15. Hawkins were p:\miincul in bringing the movement to 1 mc.-ossful finality, and they have the satisfaction of knowing that their labour has benefited to no small extent, the small farmers and tradespeople in tho surrounding district and town. 'Mr. Phillips occupied'the position of secretary until the inception of the company w: s completed in 1896. when bo resigned, lint he still continues to act as the company's solicitor. Mr. J. It. Nirol succeeded Mr. Pmllips as secretary, and has pro .'id himself to bo exceedingly capable in that position. The present directors of the company are: .Messrs. L. St. George (chairman), W. Wood, J. Hodge. S. Poison, E. B. Hawkins, and 11. Robinson. It is worthy of note that there has been no change in the chairmanship and directorate since the company firs; existed, which shows that the directors " to a man" have ever given the most complete satisfaction. The greatest quantity of milk received on any one day during the first season was 724 gallons: this season the record is 1760 gallons. Originally there- were 22 suppliers, now there are 32. The original suppliers have, in nearly every instance, increased the number of cows over that which they first milked for tho factory, while 10 •additional suppliers have come 1:1 during the last two or three years, preforing dairy fat-m----ine to cropping, and, also, in consequence of two large estates being divided into small holdings f and sold during the period mentioned. Tho value of the produce manufactured in the course of the first season v.as £2000. and this year it may bo put- down at about £5500. Last season the suppliers -.--ere paid per gallon of 101b weight, while this season that handsome return will bo exceeded. A very favourite cow with dairymen in this part of tho district is the Jersev cross, the milk test for butter-fat not uncommonly reaching as high as 5.9 in the last three months of the season. One supplier. Mr. (1. Kuapp, of Morison's Bush, had. tho milk this season of one particular Jersey vested, am' the average -result was 6.5, the best result ever known in the district, and, moreover, this particular cow was not lacking as regards quantity. Absence of quantity, it may be remarked, is a fault often ascribed to the Jersey breed or crosses. Next season. "in the flush" it is anticipated that the daily supply of milk will be over 200 stations, in consequence of new suppliers coming in. The company, therefore, is looking forward to having to enlarge the size of tho factory. The present building is 66ft by 30ft, and consists of a taking-room, manufacturing and storerooms, with engine house attached. The "making-room will certainly have to be enlarged to meet the demands of the coming season. It is a matter of congratulation for all connected with tho Greytown Company that this season the cheese, graded by the Government grader at Wellington, has been given points varying from 91 to 95, tho latter {Trading going fairly close to constituting a record for the whole district. But tho honour of having " placed a record" for the season belongs to Featherston, DALEFIELD. The Daiefield Dairy Factory stands on tho Dalefield Road, about three miles to the south-west of Carterton, and is tho largest dairy factory " under one roof" in New Zealand. This statement conveys some idea of the importance of the institution. 'The company was first formed in 1887, when tho directors were Messrs. W. Booth, J. Stevens. S. M. Hart, .T. Holder, G. Waterson, and the late Mr. R. Fail-brother. The then secretary was Mr. George Fairbrother, of Carterton, who was succeeded by the present secretary. Air. J. Moncrieff, jun., in January, 1395. The company was incorporated on February 17, 1387, anil the first general mooting of shareholders was held on February 25, of the same month and year. The present directors arc: Messrs. A. Gallon (chairman), J- Hodtler (the only origins! director remaining on the Board), J. Hart, A. Knutson, G «ordon, and Tunnieliffo. The company manufacture cheese, and have always done so. The turnover during the first year of operations was £2266 lis Id, and for"the year 1900 it had increased to £17,257 14s IQcf. It will thus be seen that-there has beer, a tremendous increase in the business during the past fourteen yearsin fact. an increase, roughly Speaking, of fifty per cent, each year on the previous turnover. During lost season 6,242,7821b of milk were received at the factory, yielding 258,45.841b of butter-fat, from which 631,6121b of cheese were made, being an average of 0.?21b butter fat per 1001b of milk. The quantity of milk required to make lib of cheese was 9.P.3'.b. and, each pound of butter-fat ir.ade 2.651b cheese. Five shares, value £25, held by non-sup-pliers were paid oft during tho year, and £93 10s paid to the milk sunnlipr.s' purchasing fund, after providing £100 16- 3d for the usual 10 per cent, dividend en subscribed capital, and £2479 10-' 3d for a final payment on butter-fat supplied, there remained a balance "of £1029, which v.-i=> carried forward. The actual amount paid to suppliers to 10id per lb butter-fat, or 4.21 d gallon of milk of IQtlb. However, the value of the milk, taking into consideration the moneys devoted to different purposes, was nearly ll.?d. During last season—and the balancesheet for the present F,ea=on will be very much the £15,421 17s lid was raid to nippliers. Startling as the statement may seem. it is nevertheless tree, that tiie Dalefield Dairy Company was "wound up" Inst year. Tho sum of "£IOOO v:*= carried forward to meet winding up expenses, the reason bein? that the oompnny was not purely cooperative in character. The name now ithe "Dalefield operative D.miv Company;" formerly '•' was the " Dab-field Dairy Company." Wh'-n the com rev Mas first inaugurated (.-'.tares were i-'.'.on up by me people who bad -■,<, inif uiion of supplying mil!:, and an interest of 10 per '-en', was guaranteed. At the --am-> lime a share-pur-chasing fund was institute 1. to which a. certain amount of the 'fits were devoted every year, until, at length, '.'.■■ company F.-as in a position to take fiver all the shares owned by non-suppliers. The-., in 1900. the jompany was re construct -d. being formed on purely cooperative lines. Shares are now owned sole!-.- by supplier', and anyone ceasing to be a supplier for Iwo year' continually can be called upon by the directorate to "t'-.-'ii-fr: hit 'bare; to a supplier. Originally, that it in 1337, (hero were 26 supplies; «t' the pre-enl time there are 67. During the present sea?- 11 it has been found necessary, in order to cope villi the ' patronage," to work with a night shift us well, as a flay one. The greatest quantify of milk supplied on any one day tics season was 41.00 gallons. Mr. 8. A. Dumbleton i- the manager, and jholds r. very high reputation as a first-class oboe .'■•;!-1 or. If should bo mentioned that the company has always adopted the businesslike method of consigning straight to the Horn* market, and "inking its chance." which. so far, has beet; of riich a character as to erase'.-,..-., it. (o continue on the- same ce„r e. Two b--.aired lons of the cheese Dah'tio'd exported last year was sold at a pri-e nearly equal to 5.35 d f.0.1). Wellington, while another dairy company in the W.airaro,, sold to agents ■■•■'• V 7 d per lb. A slight difference. Dalofie'd is the only company in the Wairarapa that _ consign' i'< own produce. The buildings are of an extensive character, and from first to last have cost something like £1565 8s 3d. An addition in brick, recently erected, cost over £200. ft is the intention of the company to have the entire buildings in brick in the course of lime, and to achieve this object so much money is put aside each year to the credit of the building fond. The secretary, Mr. J. Moncrieff, jun., has lately been appointed secretary to the Parkvale Co-operative Dairy Company, whose brick factory is in course of erection, to the southeast of Carterton.

i TARATAHI. J The Tarataiii Cooperative Dairy Factory consists of a large, two-storeyed building, which stands to tho north of Carterton, and winch is sufficiently (-lose to the man road to attract the eyj of tho traveller from Carterton to Maaterton. The Tt.rafshi Com piny has been a co-operative one for about twelve years, but tho factory is much older than that, it having formerly been the properly of a "proprietary" company. Jt is claimed by some of those interested in the present company that Tf»ratahi dairymen were the first in New Zealand to .supply a factor}', but Greytown, I believe, disputes Ibis claim to distinction. However, there is no doubt that both Tarataiii and Groylown dairymen were very early in tho field, and among tho very first to take part in New /Zealand's dairying industry. It noes, therefore, without saying that tho Turatahi factory was built when dairying was in its experimental stage; in tho days when there ere no coo! chambers on .steamers. The experiment proved a failure, chiefly because there was nothing to compel supnliors to take their milk to the factory, and when tho prieo that they wanted could not, ho obtained they refused to supply. After the <,i ginal proprietors bad lost n good deal of money souk, of tho suppliers took over the concern arid formed a cooperative company, -y one was than allowed to transfer his shares except to a supplier. After this sta-e in the history of the concern a very considerable change for the better was experienced. Tho new company soon had an output of ISO tour, of chee.-e, the milk being sent 10 the factory in some- instances over as great a distance as 6 miles, or further. Then later on, owing to more dairying land being opened U p in tho district, it was doomed advisable by those suppliers living at the groatest distune from the factory (viz.), in the Uwedr-re district, to erect a factory for t.iemso.vcs. No opposition to tho proposil was oflorod by those living in the Taratahi district, and the company leak over the shares of the suppliers who wished to separate themselves, and thus they were placed in a po'.ition to start on their own account. I his separation reduced the mill: simply fully one-third of what it had been previously hut Miico then it lias steadily gone on increasing his year several suppliers, living to the cast of Taratahi, in the Parkvalo district, following the example set them by Belvedere have decided 10 build a factory of their own, and this movement will away some of the Taratahi suppliers. Put. on the other hand, next year will probably see no decrease, presumably an increase, in the number of the Taratahi suppliers, as a considerable area of new land in the vicinity of the factory i„ being irrigated bv water-races Alius it is confidently anticipated that Tarataiii will shortly regain its old standard; probably there will bo a larger output, within the next two years than has ever previously been the case. There are now 34 suppliers, and the output this season is about 120 tons valued at over £5000. Tho directors arc: Messrs. W. Fisher (chairman). O. Reivers W 0. Bayliss, C. Laurenyen, A. Davah, J. Monaghan. and C. Keid. The secretary is Mr. •L Brown, who is also a member of the Executive Committee of the National Dairy Association, and is an expert in dairying' matters. The manager, Mr. T. B. Saxelby, is one of the brothers of that name who are celebrated Stilton cheese-makers. Last year the company paid suppliers 10±d. per pound butler-fat. and this year a rather better price will be paid, probably lid. Nearly the whole of this year's output has been disposed of, and needless to say, profitably, as the price paid to suppliers proves. Some years ago there was an extensive piggery at Taratahi, but if was done away with, and the suppliers now, in addition to what they receive for their milk, get the whole of 'their whey back. It was considered better to grow the pigs on the farms, as it was objectionable having a piggery close to the dairy factory. BELVEDERE. The Belvedere Co-operative Dairy Company commenced operations in 1895, and is, as has already been explained, an offshoot of the Taratahi "Company. The factory is situated about a mile and a-half away from Carterton, in a westerly direction, close under the Tararua Ranges. As regards its position it is within easy distance of the railway station, and no suppliers have to travel any great distance to deliver their milk. The company is a very thriving one, and has a great future in store. When an estate in the vicinity of the factory and entirely suitable for dairying purposes is cut up, which, I will be the case in a lew years' time, the number of suppliers will very largely increase. This season there were 4?. suppliers, who milked between them about 700 cows, and the buildings and plant, including the manager's residence, whare for the men. and two acres of land, cost close upon £1500. The curing-room, has a holding capacity of over 60 tons. The factory is designed on modern principles, and everything connected with it is of an up-to-date character. The manager's residence being on the property is, of course, very conveniently situated. The directors are: Messrs. G. Stevens (chairman). J. Bayliss, J. T. Manning, E. W. Morgan, J. Fensh-aw, K. Eagle, inn., and J. H. Angove. Mr. J. Brown is the secretary of the Belvedere Dairy Company, as well as the Taratahi. The value of the output for the present season will lie about £5500. Mr. .las. Dawson is the manager, and has occupied his present position since the inception of tho company. Mr. Dawson, like all the managers in the Wairarapa, is a very capable officer, and has had considerable experience both in the South Island and in Australia. The soil of the district is rather light, but the frequent rains keep it moist, so that the grass grows profusely. Fart year the Belvedere Company paid 10jd per lb of butterfat, and this year the price will be a slight advance on the sum mentioned. Belvedere has this season, for the first time, contracted in regard to the manufacture of the cheese, 'die contractor being the manager. The cost to the company 13. roughly, Id per lb, tho contract price being 4? per 1001b. The Taratahi, Feathcrston, and Dalefield Companies have also entered into contracts with their managers, and the system works out to the satisfaction of all parties concerned, In regard to the quality of Belvedere cheese, the Government grader's report, and tho Home reports, are always of a most satisfactory character, and this statement holds true of all the operative cheese factories in South Wairarapa, for in oath case the commodity manufactured is first-class in quality. FEATHERSTON. There is one cheese factory in the Wairarap?. that continue? operations all the year round. Sundays included, and that is the Featherston Go-operative Dairy Company, which has succeeded in winning first honours or cheese mad" in the colony this season. The Government grader's report gave Featherston an average of 02.6, to which state of high perfection no other cheese factory in New Zealand attained during the season, although theri were a good many "runners up," several Wairarapa factories being among the number. The factory is situated at Kniwainai. about four miles away from tho town of Featherston, which is a pretty place, nestling at. the base of tho Tlimutakn-s. The company was formed in 1395. and the buildin? and plant were erected at a cost, of £1200 to £1300. There were originally about 23 suppliers, and the number is much about tho same at the present time. Since the factory was first built several important additions have Keen made in order to moot tho increasing milk supply, notably a 40ft mak-ing-room, two extra vats, packing-room, and other additions and improvements. During the nine months 200 tons of cheese have been manufactured and disposed of, at about £47 per ton. which makes a total value of £0400. When it is said that this sum, less the cost of manufacture, i- divided among, say, 2-3 suppliers, some inkling of how profitable the dairying industry is to those who engage in it mar be gained. During the "off" throe months from 14 to 15 tons of cheese are made. The directors at present are Messrs. M. .Jackson (chairman). .1. Candy. W. (i. Hoddc-r. -'as. Biokuoll, li. White, IF Bur', and C. F. Ooodriok. with Mr. W. Bock (secretary). Mr. .Jackson is one of the most successful dairymen in the Wairarapa, lie having obtained splendid results from his dairy herd. For the pas! nine months the quantity of milk received at the factory was 453.262 gallon--. Last year suppliers were paid 4d per gallon, or nearly lOd per lb but tor-fat, and this season there will be tin improvement in the price. Monthly advances of a! were made right through the season, with an extra !,<\ advanced m April. The factory is managed by Mr. .7. Dunibleton, and here again the contract system is in vogue, with this addition, that the manager receives a bonus on the tost of so much per ewl. Feathorston, I am told, is the only factory in the colony that works on the bonus system. The company is entirely clear of debt, and is purely co-operative in character. The amount of cash that shareholders had to put down was the small sum of 1- per share on allotment, ami they paid up their shares through 7d per eha'e for nine months in the year being deducted from the milk cheques. " This plan worked so well thatto quote the chairman's words— " a." a matter of fact, farmers hardly knew that they were paying for their shares." Now suppliers are not en couraged to take up share-, but they ear, bring milk to the factory, provided that they are prepared to pay their share of the workins: expenses, a charge of id per pound of cheese manufactured being made by the company.—[Own Correspondent.