ANNUAL REPORT AND STATISTICS OF THE NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND

Otago Witness, Issue 2258, 10 June 1897, Page 7

ANNUAL REPORT AND STATISTICS OF THE NATIONAL DAIRY ASSOCIATION OF NEW ZEALAND

Fob the Yeab Ending Mat 31, 1897.

Committee : \ Messrs T. Brydone, J. Angus (Dunedin), Mr I T. Mac Gibbon (Mataura), Mr J. Henry j (Canterbury), Mr J. Steven (Waikouaiti). ' Secretary, James R. Scott, Colonial Bank , Buildings. ! As the North Island now manage their > own share of the association business this re- , port will deal mainly with matters concerning ' the work of the association in Canterbury, I Otago, and Southland. Oar shipments from Otago during ths past two years were : — { Last Year. Tons. ThiiYear. Tons. Cheese 1,627 Cheese 1,653 Butter 159 Butter 265 But for a rather cold and backward spring . and unusually dry summer in some parts, we i think that our output for the year would have i ehown & larger increase. CANTEHBUET FACTORIES. Early in the season the secretary visited i Canterbury with a view to extending the ' asjociation membership there. The fac- , tories in the Akaroa district, with the exception of one, all joined the association. The Akaroa County Farmers' Association also ( joined the association, it having been resolved ! at our last annual meeting that they bo allowed ; to do so . In many parts of the Akaroa district, owing to isolation and want of proper com- , munication, the factory system cannot be | carried out, and the County Farmers' Aesocia- ' tion carries on & good work in drawing mdi- j vidual farmers together and working on co- „ operative lines. The only other factories in Canterbury that joined were the Central and Flemington. Next year we hope that all I Canterbury factories will join for our mutual ! benefit. Mr Lewin acted as secretary in Lyttelton, and attended to shipments in a most satisfactory manner, this season's shipping business there as elsewhere being rather difficult to man- ; age. Althoughthefactory system is not at present applicable to all the Akaroa Peninsula, the fac- i tories there might ba greatly helped and ' strengthened by the supply of milk from farmers, who are quite able to do their share of tho work. "With the hearty co-operation of many farmers who could supply milk buS do not i do so at present, there seems a prosperous career before the factories now in the Akaroa Peninsula and room in the near future for many more, as the diatricb for dairying purposes i 3 one of the finest in New Zealand, which, it must 1 be allowed, is saying a good deal. j The shipments of the association from Jjyttelton this season are :—: — Cheese ... 4500 cases 257 tons Butter ... 8846 boxes 221 tons i Dry weather in th« Akaroa district during what j is usually the flush of the season checked milk production considerably for a few weeks, or the output would certainly have been considerably more. It will be seen from the statistics that THE DEPARTURE OF STEAMEHS WITH SHIPMENTS was more irregular than in past years. This was due to accidents and the stranding of several of steamships, and also to the irregularity of the our frozen meat exports, caused by drought. It has been a harassing season to all concerned, shipowners and shippers alike. We think, on the •whole, however, that the way our shipments have gone is a matter for congratulation, and this season's work has, we think, again proved the benefit provided to all factories by this association in combining all members' exports, j and making forward arrangements for ship- I xnent. ! London consignees up to this date seem ' pleased with the prompt despatch of our produce here and the condition of its arrival in London. The only case of damaged cargo we know of is that of the cheese ex lonic, which landed in such bad condition — through damp : apparently — that in a weaker market than that . ruling at the time it would have reduced the value of cheese by Id per lb. Consignees, however, say that the damage, owing to the very strong market, will, probably not exceed 2s to 3s per ewfe. The lonic has in the past proved to be one of our very best carriers of produce, being fitted with an electric fan and a firstrate cool chamber. The accident is due no doubt to the leakage of the brine pipes in the chamber, which is now known to have occurred. No doubt, under the circumstances, the shipping companies will meet the consignees by i paying any reasonable claim. ! THE MAIN COMPLAINT OF LONDON ! CONSIGNEES is as to the vexatious delay in discharging New j Zealand produce at the London decks. Some- ! times this season's batter has not been dis- ! charged for a fortnight after the arrival of the j steamer in London, and has lost a good market by 4« to 6s per cwt. With cheese this season, the market being firm, lose did not result, but in any other season delay may ba the cause of lieavy loss. It cannot, we think, be said that the blame in this matter is to be charged to the shipping companies. The facilities at the London docks for the discharge of produce are fioor, especially when compared with those fcvaiUbla *& LiverDool. where oar largest

steamers could discharge their whole cargoes in 45 hours. At present in many cases our butter and cheese are stowed in chambers under the frozen meat, and the delay in the discharge of this, owing to some consignees wanting their meat by lighter, others by rail, entailß on steamers the turning over and sorting ot meat cargo in the ships' holds — an arduous and slow work. The remedy for all this is A PROPER SORTING STORE AT THB DOCKS for all our produce. For in this matter fche New Zealand dairy industry must co-operate with the meat trade. With such a store oar steamers could empty out their holds in two or three deytj at most, and the cargo could be sorted in aud delivered from such store. Consignees who want their cargo at *nee would then get it, aud those who delay taking delivery would have to pay storage. Some of the delay at present is caused by consignees who don't want their cargo in a hurry making & free store of the steamer, and thereby blocking the discharge of cargo that is perhaps urgeutly wanted. Such a otore as indicated would remsdy this. Tho question, however, is, Who is to provide it ? The deck companies apparently are Blow to move, and of course the matter of slow discharge, although bad for us, doeß not affect them, as their revenue does not suffer. As the erection ot such a building would benefit; the New Zealand meat exporters, aud therefore New Zealand settlers aud New Zealand all round, it might be well that our Government should take the matter up in connection with both the shipping companies and the Dock Company, and build a New Zealand produce receiving store in London. The part of our Government might be, say, to guarantee interest on coat for a certain number of years on certain conditions as to control, charges, &c. With regard to PHICES FOR THIS SEASON, a large portion of our producs was purchased by English firms Consignment business having proved very unsatisfactory generally in the past, most factories were desirous of selling. Best factory butter outputs for shipment to end of January, and in some c*ses February, found buyers atß4d to Bfd f.0.b., which would not, on the whole, leave a large margin of profit to buyers, aa our New Zealand shipments land rather late to meet the top of ths market. London prices since January have been steady, but not high. Shipments which left the colony in March met a steady market, but would hardly realise B£d even tor best. Early in April a market opened rather unexpectedly with the Australian colonies, where the drought has been aericus. The demand has been stroDg, and finest fresh-made factory has latterly sold at Is aud over f.o.b , with 10£ d to lid for second quality. Vor? large quantities have gone to Australia during the last two months, so that it is quite unlikely that any past season's butber will be held over as it wa» last year for London shipment with oar early exports for the coming season. This is a good thing, as stale butter sent along with our new season's goods has in the past had a prejudicial effect, aud some urge that all past season's butter should ba marked by authority of Government, so thaii the reputation of our new season's butter may not suffer through any of the old goods being passed ; off on buyera for other than what they are. j The reputation of our butter now stands higher i than it did, and best factory in the future will i find, we think, no lack of buyers for export at fair prises. CHEESE PRICES. At the early part of this season the outlook seemed far from bright. The low prices realised for consignments last year j were most disheartening as account sales ; came to hand, and from all quarters j came predictions of low prices for the ! future, some authorities advising buttermaking for New Zealand, as cheese prospects J wpre so poor. In the earlier part o" the season some factories Bold their outputs to ths end of March f.o.b. at S^d, and London buyers did not seem eager to buy even at that. Within a week or two, however. SJJ was offered, and a few days later 4d f.o.b. was the ruing prire, aud at that figure most factories sold,- the prica being considered quite satisfactory. The buyers thi3 year for the first time have done well, no doubt, and we believe that this fact will cause keener competition this comiog season, as the quality of the chee3e hag given general satisfaction. The cause of the strong market for cheese ' this season was the short supply of Canadian and American cheese, and the fact that New I Zealand cheese was handled altogether by four firms had no doubt some effect in prices being firmly maintained. The improved quality and uniformity of the New Zealand cheese also j contributed. It would take a nioit extraordinary man to i reliably predict what the price of cheese or butter will be next season. A real live prophet would be required, and even if such a one appeared it is hardly likely that anyone would believe him. I If, however, we continue to strive to HAKE A UNIFORM ARTICLE OF THE BEST QUALITY POSSIBLE, at we have been doing in the past, we may coni fldentiy expect that best New Zealand butter ! and cheese will command the highest prices ruling in Britain. We shall be ruled by the British market prices always. Supplies of butter and cheese to Britain continue on the increase, but population and increased consumption go on simultaneously, and one thing in our favour is the continued decrease in American exports owing to increasing population there consuming a large portion of the produce previously exported. Argentina as a butter export country, too,- has not progressed, and it is doubtful now if ever they will have large dairy produce exports. Our sister colony Victoria ha 6 during the past two years sent leaf butter each year by 2000 tons to London, and the great expectations formed of her increasing export trade have,

through sLivsa of weather (drought), not been realised as yet. The energy of tha Australian farmers is, however, vroll known, and with seasons free from drought the possibilities of increased output are certainly great. As to THE FUTURE OF NBVT ZEALAND, the output will now, we think, bs largely increased. The low prices ruling in previous years disheartened many who wore dairying, and prevented otherß from commencing. The p'iet season has, however, inspired ua with hope, and we believe many who never did so before are now going to devote atteution to the business. Our output could, and should, be the largeßt in the Australian colonies. The labour of milking has deterred many from entering dairy-farming, and it is as well here to note that THE MILKING MACHINE is emerging, if it has not already emerged, from the experimental stage. Withell's Canterbury machine has given satisfaction generally where used. The Thistle machine is now nearly perfect, and will, it is said, shortly be quite so. Messrs Do Laval are also experimenting and endeavouring to perfect their machine. Great attention is being given by scientific men to these matters, and the opinion is gaining ground that the milking machine may shortly come to be largely if not generally used. Needless to aay, if this comes about dairying will be largely increased in New Zealand, as ma ay will enter on it who cannot do so now. The main matter, however, is the old story no often enforced — viz , that of THE BREEDING, FEEDING, AND CABE AND SELECTION OF THE COWS. It might be well to consider the matter of the eradication of disease in our cattle, more particularly tuberculosis. If it is the desire of farmers generally, we believe Government are nob uuwitliug to introduce a bill dealing with this subject. It has been suggested that a small tax on all cattle on the lines of the sheep t*x would provide a fund for compensation to owners of animals killed after the tuberculin tert has proved (hem to be diseased. It has also been suggested thab all cattle supplying factories with milk should be tested, aud a veterinary surgeon's certificate given that they are free from disease. These matters ara important, as our competitors iv Denmark and other places act upon them, and rra have to contend with the British agriculturist, who although his herds are not free from tuberculosis and other diseases is ready by the mouth of active memberß of Parliament to apeak of onr produce in a very uncomplimentary manner. A proper curtificate with the butter and cheeae that the milk was supplied from cattle free from disease would go far to disarm all unfair criticism of this kiud, and the facfc that tuberculosis and other -diseases were kept under control in New Zealand through proper inspection would have a good effect generally on the reputation of our produce in Great Britain. The care and feeding of our crvttlfl atili demand attention. THE AVERAGE ANNUAL SUPPLY OF MILK PEB COW in New Zealand is set down »fc 330g»1. We have seen returns from two farms aear Edendale of- 90 and 75 cowb, whoae yield averaged 437 and 494-gal respectively,' which is nearer what it should be, but not equal to the average of the dairying counties of Scotland, which is set down at 620jjal per annum per cow. This is no doubt attained by the provision of winter feod and a'aelter, and if we are to hold «ur own provision mu9t be made generally foe whiter feeding and carrying the c\ttle longer in milk, so that they may not each year yield leas, as is now the else. It ia thought that there is room for further importations of the bast shorthorns of milking strain, and also Holsteins. It is a li<ng time now since we imported, and some oew blood of the best in Briiain would boaefifc us. If we car.uot do this, leb ut make use of nothing but the best bull obtainable. The 30s bull is not a desirable animal to breed from, nor & likely one to improve our dairy herds. COMPLIMENTABY. Our late Agent-general, Sir Westby Perceval, took & lively interest in our New Zealand produce, and our present Agent-general, the Hon. W. P. Seevej, deserves oar thanks. He ha? to rely, meantime, on his great literary ability and his gift of speech, but if funds were at his disposal he could uo doubt do more. He has taken a most lively interest in our produce, aud do doubt we shall hear more from him yet. He has been particularly strong and effective in the way he has denied and refuted statements as to the alleged adulteration of our produce, and nas managed so wall to show the British public that these statements were utter humbug that he has earned the commendations of colonials in London as well as of a considerable section of the British press. The Government have pursued the same course thia year as in the previous one, and the instruction provided by instructors and dairy schools has assuredly borne good fruit. The amount of best-quality cheese and butter is certainly increasing, and there is also A MAHKED TENDENCY TOWABDS UNIFORMITY IN MAKE. which has been the aim of our instructors all along. Mr James Sawers has done most excellent work among the cheese factoriep, where his instruction is generally appreciated. Mr Sorrenseu has worked in the North Island. Mr J. T. Lang has had charge of the grading at Lyttelton and Port Chalmers, and his work is appreciated, we think, both by buyers of produce and by factories. Mr Thornton hasj as usual, carried on the heavy work of grader at Wellington with general satisfaction. The Government have continued to pay. for THE FREEZING OF BUTTER IN THB GRADING STORES. previous fct shipment. We are glad to know that the Government do not intend to do away with any of this good work, but are rather

inclined to further extend their efforts. The grading of butter and the reporting on the quality of oheeao when shipped hays undoubtedly been of great beuefib. The statements made by Mr J. B. Macßwan on his return from London confirm us in our opinions as to the benefits conferred by Government through their instruction and inspection, and also show that we are on fairly right lines as to the methods of shipment by our association. Mr Macßwan saya our cheese lands in London in a satisfactory condition, and that he was pleased with the comparison made by importers between Canadian and New Zealand cheese. He says •' the best che&se New Zealand is sending away to-day is pretty near the proper standard." It is, he says, meatier than the Canadian. Greater uniformity will about complete it so far as we can understand. With regard to our methods of shipment, Me MacEwau, after travelling Canada, America, and Denmark and looking in-.o matters, told the shipping companies in London at a conference with them tbat in no part of fche world was dairy produce put on board ship in better order than in Naw Zealand. The association addressed the shipping conference held at Christchuroh on the question of REDUCTION OF FREIGHT, and secured a reduction of one-sixteenth of a penny per lb on the cheese freight this season. They also presented claims for cheese reported on as damaged by consignees in London last year. The shipping companies submitted clean receipts for this produce as received f fom the ships. The damage therefore must have taken place in tho dock sheds or on the lighters after discharge from the steamers. This may have been so, aa tihe season was one when hot weather prevailed. It is at least significant that this year we have uo report of such damage save the hafore-mentioned case of the lonic, which we can Account for. Regarding our bu&ter, it is worth rfcording ths^t Mr BlacEwan saya, "Our finest factories are equal to fincsS Victorian." Then all wei have how to do is TO MAKE NOTHING BUT FINEST, as Australian ii&e&fc cornel? very near, if it does not equal, Danish bfst. r Shnva i* still room for ns all, and if the Imperial zoilverftin ever comns into force Donmark may have to Jcava more room for us if it is required. MISCELLANEOUS. And now regarding saveral matters thab were discussed l *b our lasb annual meeting, and in some ewea I«ft to be deelt with by our committee. lie registration and incorporation of this association leg3l opinions have been taken, which show that under no present act could we register. Legislation by private bill is required. The Government will give* all asaistanco. It was icapoKiible iaafc session of Parliament to do anything, »s banking legislation largely occupied their attention. Indenting material has been carried on, aud been fairly availed of, and the material supplied has, we believe, given satisfaotioc. The question of mutual insurance eonld not be deaib mlh prior to incorporation of th« asiociatioa. It was riot found necessary to do anything re altering the position of the secretary. As yet we havo nob altered previous instructions re temperatures of ccol chambers in steamer*. Cheese goes Home it n, temperature of 45deg to 50deg ; butter ifi th« freezing chamber bsiug previously frozen in the grading store?. We hav^ as yet nothing to show us that, any alteration ii needed. The Impression Brand butter box has baaa much used, and is certainly a great; improvement, being gmurt and sightly compared with the box branded by atencil. which very oftnu arrives in London dirty and smudgy. Ou our recommendation, and pending legislation to giva it legal «-ff«cb under the Dairy Act, Government allowed tho u»e of theoo boxes iv place of the otencilled box as legalised in tha Dairy Act to be optional, We think these, boxes will be largely made use of now, and they certainly should be. The twelve-sided cheese case, two cheeses in each, has been increasingly used, and is well reported on by London consignees. A further much-needed improvement would ba hoop iron or stapled wire *fc the ends of the cases. This would make our New Zealand cheese case all that could be desired, and in this matter we should aim at uniformity also. Re butter boxes, the oblong box is mostly used in New Zealand, and we think if a uniform box is to be used all over the colony we should stick to the oblong box so as to distinguish New Zealand from Australian, where the cube box is mostly if not always used. Some London buyers advocate the square *box became New Zealand butter might then sell aa Australian, and one provincial house says that buyers have all along associated oblong boxes with bad New Zealand butter received in the earlier years of the trade. We have, however, altered all that, and we are not ashamed of our produce, and wish it sold and dealt with by wholesale and retail houses alike for what it is, and this we trust will do us credit. The Government have under consideration the matter of AN EXPERIMENTAL STATION AND FAEM. The difficulty has been the securing a suitable sits in all respects, but we believe thia is now almost accomplished. The railways, as uiual, refused to make any reductions. The Government have taken no action in removing cow-pox from the schedule list of diseases, nor do we think they should do so. The Government took no action on our recommendation to send Mr J. B. MacEwan Home. He, however, went Home at his own expense, travelling through various countries and meeting leading men connected with the trade in all parts. He has, through the press, given his views and experiences, and he is to lectors at our winter show on Jane 24-, having

been asked Ly the Ofcago A. aud P. Society to do so. Thia lecture will be interesting and instructive no doubt. Mr MacEwan left tho Government service, where he did good work, as all are aware. He has not rejoined tho service. It has not been found practicable to establish market* in the chief centres of the colony. Statement of Cheese Shipped to "London fkoai Port Chalmers from November 20, " 1896, to May 13, 1897.

Statement of G'heesk Shipped to London FAOai LYTfELTON DURING SEASON 1896-97.

Particulars of Butter Shipped to London from Pout Chalmers and ",Lyttklton During Season 1896-97 by National Dairy Association.

Statement op Cheese Shipped to London i'kom BacH Factory Imjring thk Ykak, Ending May 1897.

Women load and unload vessels In some of the Japanese ports. Cocoanut Oil Cake hat an annual sale of thousands of tons on the Continent for feeding cows. Every farmer should use it where quantity and quality of milk are required.— NiMMa and Blaib, Danedia*

Name of Factory. iNo.off case 3. j Netlb. I i I Gross Tons. ! Apirima Bruce ... ,«. •.. Granley ,». ... Crescent fidendale Fairfax German Bay... „ Glenham Gore ... Inch-Clufcha Island... Sfataura ... ... Orepuki ... ... Ominii ... ... Otamita ... ... Otara Owaka „. ... Ratanui Roslyn Bush... t». Shaj? Valley South Taieri Stirling Tapanui Toi-Toi Waianiwa Waiareka & Pukeuri Waikouaiti Waimatuku... ... Waimea Plains ... Waitati Winton Woodlands ... ... Wyndham ... ... 594 662 1,387 180 3,611 145 191 542 620 707 1,891 :m 1,10-t 723 1,039 130 160 3S 353 732 780 141 6«0 733 1,071 600 785 656 309 452 616 1,483 23,963|. 71,7701 70,853 308,2151 23.622 436.205 17,033 21,471 76.508 74,330 68,377 90,470 253,267 44,U!> 159,286 97,938 137,177 19,665 22,386 5.050 65,119 92,207 145,730 27,589 90,074 94.176 120,569 123,205 109,906 86,850 43,819 63,687 80,380 182,349 I T. C. Q. L. ■i 36 6 220 ; 136 1 2 15 I 147 18 1 6 11 15 1 2 226 16 1 5 8 11 2 10 10 16 3" 2 38 4 2 10 37 6 2 22 33 14 1 15 47 0 0 23 125 4 2 8 21 18 1 0 78 11 3 4 48 15 3 8 69 3 3 7 9 12 3 27 11 1 3 0 210 0 0 31 12 "0 0 46 1 1 7 70 7 2 15 13 6 0 12 45 6 2 16 45 0 3 1 60 8 212 •59 3 0 4 55 0 0 18 42 12 3 0 21 10 315 31 10 3 17 40 4 1 24, 89 3 3 4 Totals , j: 1^,328,751 [ 1,652 19 1 21 J. It ationi „ Scott, al Dairy Association. Secretavy

Date. iSteamer from Tort Chalmers! 1 j Boxes T. C. Q. L. 1896. October 27 Ruahina November 3 I Mamnri Decembor 12 I Bimutaka Deceuobev 24 j "Matatua 1807. j January 23 j Wai mate January 2!) j lonic February 18 I Ruapehu Sfarch 2 Maori March 25 Gothic Total from Port Chalmers ...I 338 i 474 i 1911 ! 1517 33 3560 706 131 75 8745 I2(tf SH Date. Steamer from! Lyttclfcou. I Boxe3 j |T. C. Q. L. 1596. i October 1 October 2S J November 0 November £0 December 1 J 2)ecember Ifi December 17 1897. January 15 February 4 February 4 (''(ibraaTy 25 .'/larch S' .March 23 >rril 2U Kuikoura j Kuabin.o Mamari Gotbic Tongariro Ilimutaka Matatua I I ! 536 618 678 905 844 1558 i Takeha i louie I Ruapehu SFaorl I Tokomaru I Gothic San^atlra 215 1734 1853 50 85 55 90 j I I 884G I '221 3 2 4 ! 1480 11 2 4

Bite. Steamers. No. of Oaseg. Gross lb. Gross Tons. 1898. tfov. 9 Dec. I Dec. 1G 1897. Feb. 4 Feb. 11 March 3 M'ch 23 M'ch 27 M'cb 31 April £(i May 13 Mamari ... Tongariro... Rimutaka lonic Ruapehu ... Tokomaru Gothic ... iVotea ... Tekoa Ftangsitira Rimutaka 208 480 536 1.42S 172 515 553 17 65 3J7 180 25,541 51.610 69,609 180,763 21,455 62,474 82,801 1,734 ' 5,600 47,58? 26,003 T. C. Q. I* 258 16 0 ? 4,500 575,239 1909 15 2 0

Date. Steamers. No. of Cases. Gross lb. Gross Tons. 1896. Nov. 20 Pec. 12 Den. 24 1597. Jan. 27 Tan. £9 Fob. 16 Starch 2 M'eh 25 April 15 sla,y 1 May 13 fongari.ro Rimntaka Mfttatua ... Wrfiinnte ... lonic Ruapoliu .. Maori Gotbic Kuahine ... Kaneatira Mataura, ... 562 2,147 1,071 4,435 2,408 2,459 2,759 3,735 2,335 1,414 638 93,015 310,072 104,514 690,391 377,853 374,311 416,779 572,861 366,507 211,591 94,763 T. C. <£. L. 41 10 i 27 151 16 1 12 73 8 3 14 308 1 0 23 168 13 2 21 167 2 0 7 IS<5 10 27 255 14 3 9 103 12 1 1C 94 9 0 23 42 6 0 11 23,963 |3,702,()57 1652 19 1 2: