The Proposed Dairy Factory at Waitahuna.

Otago Witness, Issue 1787, 20 February 1886, Page 14

The Proposed Dairy Factory at Waitahuna.

The adjourned public meeting for the purpose of considering the report of the Committee appointed to canvass the Waitahuna district re the establishment of a dairy factory was held in the Good Templars' Hall, Havelock, on Saturday evening last. There was a fair attendance of settlers; and Mr W. Livingston took the chair. Mr M'Ara, secretary of the Canvassing Committee, submitted his report of the proceedings of the Committee since it had been appointed, showing that it had held several meetings and likewise had partially canvassed the district, with the result that it had obtained the promise of about 750 shares. The Committee had no doubt that if a person were appointed to canvass the district thoroughly, a considerable number of shares could yet be taken up, as owing to the harvest approaching so rapidly, the Committee had not had time to canvass the district as thoroughly as it could have wished. — On the motion of Mr Macandrew, the Committee's report ■was received.

Mr William Auld stated he had visited the Milton Factory, the manager of which informed him that there was a very good promise of the factory turning out a successful enterprise. They were at present receiving SOO gallons of milk daily ; they had sold all the cheese they had in stock at a fairly remunerate priceviz., s|d per lb, delivered in Dunedin in cases. The cases cost about 2s 8d each, and held sixcheeses of 371b to 401b each, and on the whole things were looking fairly well with the factory. Messrs Craig, M'Ara, Stevenson, and Auld (members of the Canvassing Committee), and several other speakers were of opinion that a considerably larger number of shares would be applied for if the district we're properly canvassed. •

In reply to a question as to the probable cost of a building and the most suitable kind of machinery for adairy factory if established in the the district, it was stated that the cost would not exceed £1000, as all the necessary material was so convenient in this district, either for concrete or stone.

Some discussion took place as to the best site for a factory, but this matter was allowed to stand over until such time as the district is properly canvassed. ' After some discussion as to the best means of canvassing the district, it was decided, on the motion of Mr Closs, seconded by Mr J. Ryan — "That Mr James Thompson be appointed to canvass the district, and that he be requested to submit his list to the Committee at as early a date as possible." Mr Craig read a letter from Mr S. M. Robbins, who has the management of a dairy factory in Southland, advising the Committee to consult him with regard to a suitable site for their building, as much as of the success of a dairy factory depended on the suitability of the site. As an instance in point, he stated that he had just been to see the proposed site of the dairy factory at Gore, which he found to be a very unfavourable one, and he recommended them one whereby they would save between £100 and £200 yearly in expenses.— Tuapeka Times.