NEW ZEALAND CHEESE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 676, 30 May 1929, Page 10

NEW ZEALAND CHEESE

QUALITY DETERIORATING | FACTORY MANAGERS CONFER j (From Our Own Correspondent) HAMILTON, Wednesday. | New Zealand cheese factories are j making 20 per cent, less “finest” cheese than they were two years ago, accord- : ing to Mr. W. E. Gwillim, acting-direc-tor of the Dairy Division, in an address before a general conference of members of the Auckland provincial branch of the New Zealand Dairy Factory Managers’ Association, held here today. The proof, said the speaker, lay in the fact that English and Danish cheese commanded a much higher price than the New Zealand product. The quality of butter had been well maintained, with very few complaints about packing, finish and short weight. The use of starter in butter-making was increasing, but it was difficult to say whether on the average this was a better practice than manufacture without it. A lengthy discussion on the point did not give any definite indication either way. On the subject of quality of cheese, Mr. J. Murray said Canadian cheese might owe much of its higher value to the fact that it was kept longer and was more matured befoi'e being marketed, and for the most part it was made from unpasteurised milk. Mr. Gwillim said that might be so, but the fact remained that the disparity in. value between Canadian and New Zealand cheese was now greater than ever. Mr. C. Stevenson, dairy instructor at Hamilton, said fai- too great a percentage of New Zealand cheese could only be classed as ordinary, or slightly inferior, and Unfortunately it was this class of product which appeared to be setting the standard for the whole. A factor to this deterioration, he considered, was what had been aptly termed the mad race for yield under the influence of unhealthily keen competition to produce tne most cheese from the smallest amount of supplies. We must get back the old standards of working for quality above all. There was splendid cheese at the Waikato Winter Show, and he asked why the general average of production could not be more like it, even allowing for the fact that show cheese was specially made from selected milk. In his opinion the manufacture of cheese was far too hurried. There were instances of. over-pasteurisation, and cheeses should be left several hours longer in the presses than was now the case, to guard against openness. “Do what the department has been telling you for 30 years—make your slogan ‘Quality first and last,’ ” said Mr. Stevenson. DISTRICT STOCK SALES AUCTIONEERS’ REPORTS Auctioneers report holding sales throughout the district over the past week as follow: — The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd., reports:—Sales were held during the past week at Westfield, Pukekohe (cattle and pigs), Waiuku (pigs), Clevedon (cattle and sheep), Kaukapakapa, Paeroa and Ngatea, also two clearing sales. There is a steady demand for all classes.of cattle and sheep and we report good sales, with values on a par with last report. We quote:—Dairy cows and heifers, close to profit, best, £ll to £l6 ss; others, £8 to £lO 15s; backward springers, £6 to £9 15s; aged cows and inferior lieifers, £3 10s to £5 15s; bulls, £3 to £lO ss; boner and store cows, £3 10s to £5 17s 6d; weaner heifers, best, £3 5s to £4 15s; others, £1 10s to £2 17s 6d; weaner steers, £2 5s to £4 10s; yearling to 18-months heifers, £3 15s to £6 15s; yearling to 18-months steers, £4 12s 6d to £5 17s 6d; two to two and a-half year steers, £6 to £7 7s 6d; three to three and a-half year steers, £7 10s to £8 17s 6d; four to four and a-half year steers, £9 to £9 15s; grown steers in forward condition, £lO to £11; ewes in lamb, £1 6s to £1 12s 9d; store lambs, 12s 6d to £1 2s 9d. At Pukekohe and Waiuku pigs of all classes sold at late rates. Alfred Buckland and Sons, Limited, report:—During the week we held sales at Westfield, Waiuku, Waitakaruru, pig sale at Waiuku, and two clearing sales. Dairy cattle are in keen request and are realising high values. Best cows at clearing sales made £ls to £22; good cows, £l2 to £l4 10s; second-grade cows, £9 to £ll 15s; others, £4 10s to £8 15s; Mr. Thomas Hamilton’s hex'd of 70 cows averaged £l2 17s; best springing heifers made £l2 to £ls; good heifers, £lO to £ll 15s; other heifers, £6 to £9 15s. Store cattle are meeting with a ready sale at ruling prices. Grown steel's in forward condition made £9 5s to £lO 10s; three to four-year-old steers, £8 to £9 2s 6d; two to three-year-old steers, £6 15s to £8; yearling to 18-months-old steers, £4 10s to £6 10s; fat steers, £9 35s to £l3 15s; heavy prime young cows and heifers, £9 to £l2 12s; lighter fat cows and heifers, £5 10s to £S 17s 6d; boner and store cows, £2 10s to £5 os; empty young cows and heifers, £3 to £5: cows with calves, £6 15s to £9 10s; 18-months to two-year-old in calf dairy heifers, £7 10s to £3 0 10s; other heifers, £4 10s to £7 ss; good calves,, £3 to £4 ss; smaller calves. £2 to £2 17s; small calves, £1 5s to £1 18s. There, was a full entry of pigs at Waiuku, which sold at Westfield quotations. PROPERTY SALES Messrs. Rutherford, Robinson and Austin will offer by public auction, tomorrow, at noon, at the rooms. Lister Building, Victoria Street, the following properties:— (1) City property, corner of Kingston and Federal Sti'eets. Area of land, 48ft 6in to Federal Street, 63ft 7in to Kingston Street. The buildings on the land comprise two dwellings and workshop. (2) Valuable freehold property, situated 169 Parnell Road, the frontage being 64ft 6in by a depth of 110 ft, on which is erected a double-fronted shop and dwelling of five rooms; also large workshop at back. The section is level. Terms, £250 deposit. (3) Section, situated Landscape Road, Mount Eden. Part of Sir James Gunson’s estate, the area being 60ft by 200 ft; elevated; wonderful views. (4) Section, situated No. 75 Arnev Road, Rerauera. Area, 78ft by 165 ft. Level, having harbour views. (5) Under conduct of the Registrar of the Stroreme Court, a property situated in Rockfielrl Road, Ellers]ie. Bungalow, five rooms, all conveniences. Section, 50ft by 3 72ft, level. Government mortgage. Terms, £7O deposit. All the above properties can be purchased on very easy terms.