A LARGE BUTTER FACTORY.

New Zealand Mail, 30 December 1892, Page 7

A LARGE BUTTER FACTORY.

The largest butter factory in Australia, and one of the largest in the world (says the Leader) ia the establishment of the Fresh Food aud Frozeu Storage Company, whose factory is at 432, Bourke-street west. The inception of the the company only dates from August, 1889, and since that period the busineea in which it is concerned has grown to an enormous extent, aa the following figures will show: During the first year, from August, 1889, to July, 1890, the quantity of milk received from country districts amounted to 377,217 gallons, for which was paid the sum of L 7,116 12s 7d; for the corresponding period the following year 1,761,773 gallons were received, involving a disbursement 0fL26,475, 17s lid; while from Augus;, 1891, to July, 1892, the enormous quantity of 4,31.5,229 gallons of milk was received, for which L 67.668 8a 2d was paid. Independent of these figures a large quantity of cream has been purchased from supplies not connected with the company through the medium of creameries which it has established in various parts of the colony. Last season some 500 tons of butter were exported, and this season it is expected that fully 800 tons will be sent away. At the present time no fewer than 56 creameries are being run in connection with the factory. These are established in the Gippshind, Colac, Northeastern, Goulburn Valley, and Loddon districts, ao that it may be said supplies are received from all parts of the colony. The totnl cost of the machinery, plant, &c, at the factory acd creameries up to date haa been L 39,000, and it ia calculated that the milk from 1,000 farms is being dealt with, while the total number of hands employed in the manufacture of butter, independent of those engaged on the farm, is about 130. The quantity of milk delivered at the creameries last month amounted to 854,154 gallonp, for which L 12,400 was paid. It is anticipated that this year about L 120.000 will be paid for milk supplied. The authorised capital of the company is 150,000 shares of LI each. The amount paid up being over L 32.000. There are over 1,800 shareholders, the majority of whom are farmers directly interested in the butter budness.