DAIRY FACTORY COMPANIES

Southland Times, Issue 22992, 11 September 1936, Page 11

DAIRY FACTORY COMPANIES

MORTON MAINS ANNUAL MEETING At the annual meeting of the Morton Mains Dairy Factory Company Mr W. A. Cockburn, chairman of directors, presided over an attendance of 34 sharej holders. Mi’ Cockburn referred to the death of Mr E. J. McGowan, who was I for some seventeen years a director and who took a keen interest in the factory and in the district generally. Those present stood in silence as a mark of respect to his memory. The report stated that the new factory, although not completed, was officially opened- by Mr D. McDougall, M.P., on December 18, 1935. On the following day milk was received and everything went without a hitch and continued so for the season. The directors concluded arrangements for a loan of £7OOO from the Mortgage Corporation. With the insurances on old buildings and plant it has enabled them to pay for the whole cost, and as the loan is a long term one the repayment of it should not be burdensome. The sums paid annually for repairs and maintenance, which with the old factory were very heavy, should be negligible in future. Owing to the late start and abnormally dry weather the output (140 tons) was only about half of that of last year. One shilling alb butterfat had been paid over the season, and when all the cheese was disposed of, a further substantal payment would be made.

In moving the adoption of the report the chairman said that the past year had been a very strenuous one for the directors, but they felt sure suppliers would be satisfied with the result of the year’s working. All the cheese, except 15 tons, sold at sid, had been sent forward on consignment. To date results had been very satisfactory, and provided the market price remained firm, which it showed every prospect of doing at the present time, the directors expected to pay a further 2d a lb butterfat, making the total payment for the season 1/2. A further Id would be paid to suppliers within the next few days. This, he thought, the suppliers would consider creditable as additional expense had been incurred at the beginning of the season in sending milk away. Had the factory been open all the season no doubt an even better return would have been shown. Everything had gone smoothly since the opening of the factory, but through the abnormally dry season the output had decreased. As there liad not been a whole seasons work it was not possible to make a comparison against last year either in output or cost of manufacture, although had the factory been working for the whole season a substantial reduction would have been shown. The cost of manufacture per lb of cheese was l.Old In accordance with proper accounting principles the directors had been advised to write the reserve account off against buildings and plant and this they had done, leaving the amount standing against them at £8460 11/6. ’ The report and balance-sheet were adopted, the shareholders present expressing themselves as fully satisfied with the work of the directors. A hearty vote of thanks to the directors for their work was carried. Mr J. Edie and Mr A. Halliday were re-elected directors unopposed. Mr F. A. Webb was reappointed auditor. MATAURA FACTORY There was an attendance of 25 suppliers at the annual meeting of shareholders of the Mataura Dairy Factory Co., Ltd. The chairman of directors (Mr A. Stevenson) presided. Mr Stevenson referred to the death of four suppliers, Messrs Thomas McDonald, W. Pry de, W. Reid and W. Souter. In moving the adoption of the a'nnual report and balance-sheet, the chairman said that during the year many difficulties had had to be contended with. Some cheese had become overheated and caused concern, but luckily the firms had succeeded in disposing of all the stock. He appealed to all suppliers to give the Government a chance to carry out its guaranteed price scheme. Together with two directors

he had inspected the recently installed pasteurizer at Edendale, and as their information was that it had been a success, the directors had had one installed. Already the wisdom of the action was seen. Years ago the factory had received water from the borough, but with the growth of the town this was found last summer to be almost impossible, so the directors had had to act. Mr R. Pryde seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Messrs T. Major and A. Stevenson were re-elected to the directorate. The chairman said that next year the jubilee of the establishment of a factory at Mataura would be celebrated and he thought some appropriate celebration might be arranged. It was agreed to refer the matter to the directors, who were empowered to call a meeting of suppliers. Messrs J. Dunlop, of the Dairy Produce Board, and C. M. Hume, of the Herd Testing Association, were present and at the clos> of the business meeting addressed those present. FAIRFAX Following is the report of the Fairfax Dairy Factory Company Ltd:— “The directors were concerned about the advisability of consigning or selling the shipping output, but it was eventually sold as follows: SeptemberOctober make, sad a lb, NovemberDecember, 55/d; January, sjd; February to end of season, 5,,d; 61 crates surplus end-of-season, 6jd. Following is a table of milk supplied for each month, with butter-fat prices for first grade, second grade being one half-penny less: October, first 221,2961 b at lOd, second 25,8811 b; November, first 350,7941 b at lid, second 60,8511 b; December, first 400,5191 b at lOd, second 80,7081 b; January, first 345,5481 b at lOd, second 81,0001 b; February, first 282,2761 b, second 52,7231 b; March, first 282,9471 b at lid, second 11,9251 b; April, first 219,2811 b at lOd, second 96841 b; May, first 153,934 lb at lOd, second 10,1151 b; June, first 23,4911 b at lOd, second 17911 b. In addition a bonus of jd has been paid over the season’s supply. “The cheese was graded as follows: Finest, 678 crates; first, 866 crates; second, eight crates; average grade, 92.599. The buildings and plant have been well maintained and are in good order for the incoming season, the amount shown for repairs being principally for the building of a room for waxing, new tubs and other requisites. A new brick chimney has been built to the factory at a cost of £l2B, and a new high pressure range installed at the manager’s residence. These two items will be a charge on the capital account. “Following are the totals of milk, butterfat and cheese for the year: Milk, first 2,280,0861 b, second 364,7651 b; total, 2,644,8511 b. Butter-fat, 95,1011 b; cheese, 256,1471 b; lbs of cheese to lbs of butterfat, 2.69; lbs of milk to lib cheese, 10.32; average test, 3.59.