NATIVE ENTERPRISE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19255, 18 February 1926, Page 13

NATIVE ENTERPRISE.

A NEW DAIRY FACTORY, HIGH GRADE STOCK BOUGHT. GUIDING HANf) OF MR. NGATA. [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. ] GISBOENE. Wednesday. The history of tho Ngatiporou dairy factory, which was opened by the Prime Minister to-day, its one of the greatest interest, more especially as it is; the first company in Poverty Bay where practically all the shareholder? and suppliers are Maoris. The factory will stand always as a monument to the efficiency and ability of the Hon. A. T. Ngata, who has done so much for the advancement of the Maoris of the East Coast. It was'he who first realised that the rich lands in the Ruatoria district were ■capable of great development and who worked out all the details connected with the commencement of dairying there. His grasp of detail was displayed in the organisation of the company, for there was not one section of the work which did not receive due consideration. The result is that the factory has been opened under the most favourable possible auspices.

Once the idea had been" discussed and a decision reached to erect a factory the Ngatiporou company set about purchasing the stock required by the suppliers. It was realised that as they were commencing with ample capital it was essential to have only the highest possible quality of stock, and for that reason buyers were sent across to Taranaki, where some of the finest grade Jerseys which have ever come to Poverty Bay were secured. Seven hundred heifers and 100 cows were purchased in this manner, while 32 purebred Jersey bulls were also obtained to be used by the dairymen on the communal system. The heifers were purchased in 1924, over a year before the actual start of dairying in the district. These cattle thus became thoroughly acclimatised to the district before they were milked. The assistance of the then Government dairy instructor, Mr. E. Beatson, was secured by the directors of the company. Plans for the building were completed toward the end of 1924, and early last year a commencement v."as made with the erection of the building. Owing to shipping and road difficulties delays were experienced in conveying materials to the spot, but soon after the commencement of the present season the whole factory was ready for work. The factory is constructed on the most modern system.