ISLAND DAIRY FACTORY

Southland Times, Issue 17427, 20 August 1913, Page 3

ISLAND DAIRY FACTORY

CELEBRATES ITS T\VENTV-F1 RST ANNIVERSARY. Since its formation twenty-one years ago the Islaml Dairy Factory Company lias made great headway, anil front a somewhat inauspicious beginning luc -5 H ° increased its output as to make it one of the largest dairy factories in tlie South Island. To celebrate the attainment of its majority the. directors of the company decided to hold a re-union social, to which it was intended that those prominently connected with t lie early days of Hie factory would be present. The social was held on Thursday last, and proved to he an unqualified success from every viewpoint, about inn ladies and gentlemen availing: themselves of the kind invitation to be present. The function was'presided over by the present Chairman of Directors, Mr D. Wards, who was supported on his right and left by Mr W. Brash, of Invercargill (the first Chairman of Directors), Mr dames McLauchlan, Wyndham (the Secretary of the Company since its inauguration), and Mr 11. J. Middleton (.Member ,pf the County Council for the Toi Toi hiding.

The Chairman extended a hearty welcome to those present, and in doing so stated that he had to apologise for the absence of Messrs A. S. Malcolm. M.P., G. .1. Anderson. M.P., d. Spratl and a number of others interested in the company’s affairs. All these, however, wished them a pleasant time, and the company continued success. Proceeding the chairman said that the directors and suppliers hud agreed that it was meet to commemorate the Hist birthday of the company by bolding a re-union social, which would afford an opportunity for ,i fraternal meeting of past and present associates in the enterprise. He felt sure that with him they all regretted the inability of Mr John Spruit, the prime mover in getting the factory startl'd, to be present. He,, too, regretted that Mr Wm. Aitken was not witli them. He was, however, pleased to note the presence of Mr.Wrn. Brash, their first Chairman of Directors, and also of Messrs Win. Dunlop and M. Richardson, wiio were also members of the first Board of Directors, the last named still being actively identified with the factory. As the programme was a long one, lie would not detain them longer, hut would ask them to rise and drink the health of "The King and Royal Family.”

In proposing the toast of “The Island Dairy Factory” Mr Wm. Houser stated that lie fell honoured in being asked to submit the toast. Although not following dairying pursuits himself, lie remembered well tlie starting of the factory in which Mr John Sprat t was the main mover. With the toast he would couple tlie names of the chairman, and Messrs Wm. Brash. M. Richardson, W. Dunlop and James McLauchlan, all of whom should do full justice to the toast.

Mr Brash, tlie first speaker, stated that he was glad to see so many of his old friends present. As one of the pioneers of tlie factory lie could say that when the idea of the factory was first mooted their thoughts were of butter, and not of cheese. He and Mr A. Coster, now of Gisborne, wore* deputed to interview the late Thomas Brydone (Dunedin), and Mr David Caddie (Taicri, now- State Dairy Commissioner) with regard to tlie starting of the butter factory. While in Dunedin they met Mr Sawers, the present manager of the Edendale Dairy Factory, and it was at his instigation that It was decided to manufacture cheese. They had never regretted the formation of the company for although they had had their ups and downs, especially in their early days, things were now* quite different, and instead of paying suppliers 2d per gallon for their milk with a farthing addition at the end of the season, as they did in 1595-6, they were now able to pay the highest rates. The speaker paid a tribute to Mr John Spratt, whom he characterised as a tower of strength in the young days of tlie factory. Mr Malcott Richardson. tlie next speaker, said that he was glad to hear mention of Mr John Spratt, and indeed of all their first directors. Tite company should thank Providence that these men had all been spared through the past twenty-one years. They owed their success in the past mainly to the general co-operation, and he wished that more of that spirit were obtaining at the present time. They could do w'ith an additional intake of 1000 gallons daily, but now that a butter plant was to be installed, there would be a largely increased supply.— (Applause.) Mr Wm. Dunlop (Pine Bush) said that he first became identified with the fortunes of the company through tlie offices of Messrs W. Brash and ,1. Spratt; but when he- joined them he had not the slightest notion that he would eventually tie induced to become a supplier as lie had been —and lie had not regretted the fact. Mr James McLauchlan stated that it almost scorned superfluous for him to express the pleasure he felt at being present after 21 years’ service witli the company. At the first meeting of tlie company there were present: Messrs W. Brasl; (Chairman). John Spratt, James Spratt. James Monagan. Clias. Uarnie, Wm. Buie. Wm. Dunlop, S, Browne. Malleoli Richardson, and Alfred Coster. It was first proposed to name the company tlie Mataura Island, hut that was objected to by the Registrar on ’the grounds that it would lead to confusion with Mataura. At a subsequent meeting Robinhood and Birchwood were in turn proposed and rejected, and finally on Mr Spratt’s motion that of Island was agreed to. The speaker went on to give an interesting account of all that the company bad passed through, and eulogised tlie work done by those who had taken a hand in tite early history of the company. Messrs T. W. Foster. R. S. Wilson and W. P. Smith, who have been prominently connected with the Island Factory also spoke to Die toast. Ollier toasts honoured were:—"Army. Navy and Territorials,” "Parliament and Local Bodies." "Dairying Industry." "A. and P. Interests and I'omjnercial Interests," "Tie 1 Secretary." "The Ladies," "The Chairman." and "The Press." liming the evening songs were rendered liy Miss Cameron. Messrs .las. Walker. E. G. M ru-plu'i'-on. .7. C. Clark and J. Wypeii. while Mr W. .1. Marsh coni ribufed a recitation. An extremely enjoyable '-veiling was brought to Ihe elo-e by Ine singing of “Auld Lang Syne."