DAIRYING IN THE WAIKATO.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1118, 4 August 1893, Page 7

DAIRYING IN THE WAIKATO.

An important meeting was held at Hamilton, Waikato, last week, when delegates from milk suppliers and creameries had a meeting with Messrs Reynolds and Co Eleven creameries were represented. We condense the report of the Waikato Times as follows : —‘ Mr Reynolds said he was glad to be able to say that the industry was a sound one, and one which there was no probability of coming to grief (applause), and the utmost price was given for the milk so as to keep it going. So far, this had been done at the expense of the shareholders, but this could not be expected to continue. In the last communication he had had from his brother the latter stated that he was convinced of the soundness of the industry, and of its ultimate success, and by this suppliers, as well as the company, would benefit. The company hoped never to lessen the price of the milk given in any month, and they did not intend to increase the price of milk so as to get a big supply and then, when the suppliers had the cows on their hands, drop the prices, but they hoped to maintain the present prices against all competition (applause). The prices for the different months would be as follows :

Sept. ...3|-d per gallon with a bonus of per gallon added if the total supply for the month amounts to 60,000 gallons. (The supply for this month last year was 50,000 gallons, and the extra 10,000 gallons would only mean 2 gallons extra from each supplier, reckoning the month at 25 days.) October ) 0J v Nov. 1 3d per gallon Dec.’ ) Jan. >2 7-8 d Feb. ) April May ...3d. To be optional with the company whether they work this month or not.

This scale w»s for nine months, May being optional, but the company were bound to work for eight months These prices are to be paid on tho butter fat test, 10 per cent of cream being equal to 3 6 lOtlia per cent of butte* fat, and for every 2-10ths of butter fat extra over the 3 percent -|-d would be added and for every 2-10 oh under Ad deducted. Instead of as was done last year, the bonuses for increased percentage will be paid each month Mr Earley, manager for Messrs Reynolds and Co’s, then gave the result of the year’s working. The total number of gallons of milk received was from which they made 250 tons of butter (about) He had to say about as they could not quite ascertain the exact amount at present. During the year they had paid away in the Waikato, L 20,955 13s, which included the cost of working the factories and the cost ot the milk, the latter item alone being L 15,445 1 Is lid. The total expenditure for the year was L 3634 16s Id more than the previous year. On making up the books of the company he was very sorry to say there had been a loss on the year’s working. Tho loss was not a very large one, but it was sufficient to ao away with any dividend to the shareholders. Last year a dividend had been declared, but it was a dividend on paper only. It bad never been realised. The initial expenses in establishing the industry in London had been very heavy and the company had not received any assistance from the merchants there. The company had now erected a stand at their own expense at the Imperial Institute, where they had a small glass refrigerator, and there butter was shown made up in various forms to

advertise New Zealand produce, and they would all participate in the benefits which it was hoped would accrue from this step. They hoped that the expenses in London in future would be so cut down as to enable the shareholders to get a dividend. If the rail charges, which for the past year had amounted to about LIOOO from Wai kato, could be saved or reduced by onehalf, that would mean something considerable to the shareholders.

Mr R. Henry (Hamilton) moved that the proposals laid before the meeting by Messrs Reynolds and Co. be acc°pted.

Mr B. Comer (Pukekura) said he would prefer to see a uniform price fixed for the milk throughout the season, instead of having the prices altered each month or two. He proposed as an amendment that Messrs Reynolds and Co. be asked to give a uniform price for the season. The matter was discussed at length. Mr Farley explained the prices had been fixed in this way, as unless they could get the butter Home early they would lose the best of the English market. They would like to have 10 times the quantity of milk at the higher prices in September, rather than later on, as by the time the butter would reach England the best of the season would be over. At the close of the last season in England they had 70 tons of butter on hand practically without a market. The company wished suppliers to get their own cows to come in so as to catch the English market, and the extra price obtained would be to the advantage of the suppliers as well as the company. In May there might be ro market, and to save working at a loss they desired to have the option of continuing or not. Ultimately Mr Comer obtained permission to withdraw his amendment, and the motion was put and carried unanimously. Mr Earley then read the conditions. He pointed out that the company would be very stringent on the question of cooling the millc.- This is one of the most important points and the cooling should be done in such a way that aeration goes on at the same time as by this process the strong animal flavor so distasteful to the English palate is driven off. Even if water could not be obtained the milk should be run through a cooler which would allow of it being aerated and the stiong smell would pass off.