DAIRYING PIONEERS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23055, 4 June 1938, Page 14

DAIRYING PIONEERS

TWO WAIKATO FARMERS CELEBRATION OF BIRTHDAYS LONG EXPERIENCE ON LAND [fhoji our own correspondent] HAMILTON, Friday Two pioneers of the dairying industry in New Zealand, Mr. James Belcher, of Matangi, and Mr. J. V. Bryant, of Albert Street, Hamilton, celebrated their birthdays to-day. Mr. Belcher is 92 years of age and Mr. Bryant 85. Mr. Belcher, who was associated with the founding of three co-operative dairy factories in different parts of New Zealand, was one of the earliest settlers. He was born in tho Forest of Dean, Gloucester, England. After his arrival in New Zealand he farmed on Banks Peninsula and then went to Taranaki,' where ho continued farming at Stratford. He established tho first cheese factory in the province and also helped to establish factories at Lowgarth and Raglan. Mr. Bryant, who was born in Devonshire, England, in 1853, came to New Zealand with his wife and two children in 1881. Ho farmed at Pukerimu and later at Te Awamutu, where he remained for about 28 years. In those days farmers experienced considerable difficulty in disposing of their products owing to the lack of dairy factories and Mr. Bryant played a considerable part in making these concerns a success. A reunion in honour of Mr. Bryant's birthday was held recently, about 60 relatives being present.