CREAM FROM FARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21702, 18 January 1934, Page 11

CREAM FROM FARMS

DETAILS OF SUPPLIES William John Stevens, farm labourer, of Ruawaro, said he had known the Lakeys for over 30 years, and had lived at the farmhouse continuously over four years until 12 months ago next month. Witness and Mr. Lakey used to milk. Mrs. Lakey, who got dinner ready before they went to the sheds, assisted at the end. The evening's cream was always brought to the house and put into the cans in the mornings. Lakey sometimes took the cream to the road'vsay before breakfast, and sometimes after. Only on one occasion had the cream been taken down at night. The cans were always washed by Mrs. Lakey.

" Mr. and Mrs. Lakey got on well together," said witness, who added that Lakey had two watches, the larger one being used when he was at work. Witness had worn Mr. Lakey's watch, which was similar to one produced in Court. Lakey carried the watch in his pocket, usually on a piece of string. Witness said Lakey smoked a cherrywood pipe and, wore nap trousers with a belt and braces. _ " The braces were the same as mine, and were bought at the same time," he continued. " Lakey had false top teeth." The manager of the New Zealand Dairy Factory, Taupiri, Alfred James Garry, said Lakey was a supplier to the factory. O'n October 16, 1933, two cans of cream were received from the farm. The weights were 631b. and 68J1b., first-grade quality. The factory's carter did not call on Sundays at that time. He was calling every other day of the week. Mr. Meredith: Can you compare this Monday with the previous Monday ? Yes. On the previous Monday, the weights wers 89ilb. superfine and 951b. first-grade. Superfine is the better quality. What could cause such a reduction in quality?— The proper handling of the cream has a bearing on it, also keeping it in as cool a place as possible, with the lids left off the cans and the cream stirred, if possible, late in the evening. What would be the effect of putting the cream in cans and leaving the lids on overnight?— Detrimental to the quality, undoubtedly. Receipts During October

The manager of the Taupiri Dairy Company, Duncan McKercher, said that Bayly had been a supplier to his factory for one season before the present one. Witness' company collected on four days a week, Monday, Wednesday, Friday and Saturday. He would get two milking? on Saturday and four on Monday, Wednesday and Friday. Monday forenoon's collection should have four milkings in it. He had a return for the receipt of Bayly's cream for October last, which showed: October 2, two cans, 711b., 691b; October 4, one can, 531b.; October 6, two cans, 581b., 971b.; October 7, one can, 841b.; October 9, two cans, ,861b., 821b.; October 11, three cans, 531b., 501b., 911b.; October 13, two cans', 891b., 821b.; October 14, one can, 82£1b.; October 16, two cans, 791b., 701b.; October 18, three cans, 91i1b., 371b., 451b.; October 20, two cans, 941b., 911b.7 October 21, one can 911b.; October 23. three cans, 991b., 581b., 581b.; October 25, two cans, 981b., 98£1b.; October 27, three cans, 991b., 551b., 541b.; October 28, one can 91 |lb.; October 30, two cans, 951b., 981b. , , The tests for that month showed that for the first period to the 10th he had 38 per cent, in the second period to the 20th he had 34 per cent; and for the third period, ending October 31, 32 per cent. The Pair of Wheels

Hubert George Earner, engineer and motor mechanic, of Great South Road, Penrose, said he knew both the Lakeys fairly well, and had been to their house frequently. He was last there on the Wednesday before the disappearance of Mr. Lakey and on the Sunday before that. Mr. Lakey and witness were walking around the yard looking at the implements, and witness saw an old launch cabin. Near to it were a pair of wheels and a plough not far away. The wheels were on an axle, with springs attached. Witness said a pair of wheels exhibited at the back of the Court were very similar to those in Lakey's yard. The set was not in the same condition as when he saw them, some pieces of timber having been removed.

Witness visited the police at Ruawaro on the day on which the second postmortem examination of Mrs. Lakey was held, and he saw that the wheels had gone from their previous position in the yard, although they had left marks.