South Taranaki News

Taranaki Daily News, 6 April 1927, Page 2

South Taranaki News

(From Our Own Reporter.)

Telephone No. 2706.

P.O. Box 133.

PROBLEMS OF FARMERS WORK AT THE LABORATORY. YEAR OF UNUSUAL ACTIVITY. The rapid progress made by the Federation of Taranaki Co-operative Dairy Factories’ laboratory at Hawera during the comparatively short time the institution has been functioning, was evident in the review of the laboratory’s activities during the past year, submitted to a meeting of the federation at Hawera by the scientist (Mr. P. O. Veale) yesterday. “The period covered by the present report is an important one in that it constitutes the first complete dairying season in which the laboratory has been in existence,” states the report. “Scientific assistance for the dairy industry may now be considered an established fact in Taranaki, and the federation can take pride in the fact that it has been the pioneer in a movement which is now recognised as a necessity for the whole of the Dominion. There is also good reason for pride in the fact that the federation possesses one of the best equipped laboratories for dairy work in New Zealand and that the results achieved have attracted considerable attention outside our own particular territory. “At the conclusion of last season a winter course of six lectures in dairy bacteriology was held for the benefit of managers and assistants. These were well attended, even by those coming from the extreme ends of the federation’s territory, and much interest was displayed in the scientific side of our industry. In accordance with the policy of the federation to disseminate scientific knowledge as widely as possible, arrangements were made to address the suppliers at a number of annual meetings. In addition lectures were delivered by the scientist to several Farmers’ Union meetings, and an invitation was also accepted to deliver an address at the National Dairy Association conference in Wellington. Lectures on subjects of scientific interest to dairymen have also been given by request at each of the managers’ conferences held at Patea and Moturoa. In this way it is hoped to derive the greatest value from the establishment of the laboratory by taking every opportunity to make important information available to those most able to utilise it.

LABORATORY’S INCREASED WORK. “The most striking feature of the present season has been the great increase in the work handled by the laboratory,” continues the report. “Whereas less than 2000 samples were received for analysis during the portion of last season when we were equipped for work, over 5500 samples of milk, cheese and other dairy products and materials have been received at the laboratory for analysis, and the number will certainly exceed 6000 before the close of the season. An estimate of the actual number of analytical operations performed upon these samples is difficult, but probably not less than 16,000 results have been determined and reported in connection with the samples received. “A summary of the more important operations of the laboratory will be of interest as it will show the services which have been deemed most useful by the federated companies. Since the beginning of the season 1328 samples of milk have been received for- grading. A number of factories have derived benefit from a regular examination of all their suppliers and I would be pleased to see this practice more widespread. The striking improvement in quality achieved by the grading of cream for buttermaking is a sufficient vindication of the principle of grading, and as we all admit that most manufacturing difficulties arise from defects in the raw material, we see at once that good work is bound to result from grading the milk for cheesemaking. During the hot weather many samples received at the laboratory had obviously deteriorated in grade during the period of transit, and I would like to commend to all managers the excellent scheme adopted by one company of providing a box with a deep removable tin tray in the bottom and a wooden grating above to keep bottles in position. The tjn lining was filled with crushed ice and the bottles, which were of the ordinary herd test size, were thus practically immersed in ice-cold water between the time of sampling and delivery at the laboratory. From grading results a manager is able to make a more intelligent selection of starter milk and farm instructors are able to concentrate upon those suppliers most in need of their services.

ADDED WATER IN MILK. “During the season 175 samples of milk were received to determine the presence of added water. This practice is apparently on the wane, as suppliers are beginning to realise that losses to the factory are considerable and that personal gains are negligible. A couple of instances have occurred during the season, of factories experiencing a very poor yield, and on investigation a contributing factor was found in each case to be the presence of 10 to 15 per cent, of added water- in the milk supply. Thus persons who water their milk for cheesemaking are causing a direct loss to themselves and their fellow co-operators. If facts, of this kind were more widely known watering of milk would disappear entirely. ‘■Samples of milk received for the purpose of discovering the cause of some specific fault numbered nearly 250. This serves to emphasise my previous remark that most manufacturing difficulties arise from defects in the milk supply, and is a powerful argument in favour of universal grading of milk for cheesemaking. The present season has been an abnormal, though variable, one, in regard to the solid constituents of milk, and 91 samples, many of them being composite samples of factory supply, have been received for chemical analysis with special reference to the percentage of casein. Ninety-eight other samples of milk or cream have been received for a fat test alone, many of these being on behalf of suppliers to federated factories.

“Samples for examination in regard to contagious mammitis have amounted to 1251 during the present season. This indicates that the presence of the laboratory has been valuable to the individual farmer by ’ giving certain know-

ledge regarding udder trouble and ’by assisting prompter action in the case of those animals having the contagious disease. IMPORTANCE OF PURE WATER. “Over 400 samples of cheese have been analysed for routine control purposes and 16 for bacteriological examination to trace some specific fault. The examination of whey and allied waste liquids is an important feature of the routine control of the industry, as unsuspected waste may be readily discovered in the fat and casein content of such materials. Over 200 samples of whey, white whey and press drainings have been analysed for the purpose of helping managers to prevent undue waste during manufacture. Similarly nearly 50 samples of skimmed milk whey and skimmed milk have been analysed as a check on the efficiency of separators. “The cleanliness and purity of water is an important feature of dairying, and the services of the laboratory have been utilised to give chemical or bacteriological reports upon the suitability of over 30 water supplies for stock drinking, utensil cleaning or general factory purposes. The idea of buying materials upon laboratory analyses or reports is steadily gaining ground, and a number of samples of dairy salt and of butter parchments have been received in order that the results of analyses might be used as a guide in buying the best material. Factory directors would be well advised to follow this practice more univesally ,as the cheapest article is not necessarily the most advantageous to use and much good butter and cheese can be ruined by impure salt or butter spoiled by defective wrapping or lining of boxes. Many samples of a miscellaneous character have been submitted for analysis or examination, these including cheese curd, casein, cheese colour, rennet, butter and milking machine parts. “During the season visits had been paid by the scientist wherever requested, to factories or farms where trouble was being experienced. Bacteriological plates and culture tubes have been supplied and used for the purpose of tracing the origin of. faults and for maintaining factory premises in a perfectly sanitary state. PREVALENCE OF “NON-ACID” MILK. “The chief trouble this season has been a widespread occurrence of ‘nonacid’ milk and many factories have had, at various times, a number of their vats affected. As a result of much research into this problem, the cause has now been definitely established and proved to be a rod-shaped bacillus which rapidly neutralises the lactic acid of the starter culture. This germ has Its origin in certain types of cow manure, but may be introduced into the milk in large numbers either through breeding in the machines or utensils or through imperfect cleansing of the cows’ teats and udders prior- to miilking, or through direct invasion of the teats when the cows frequent swampy places and cover their udders in swamp mud impregnated with the bacteria. Sometimes, also, the milk, when drawn and on the stand, may be contaminated by dust, dried mud and manure blown from infected ground. “Mere knowledge regarding the source of the infection does not mean that factories will necessarily keep clear o’f trouble unless their suppliers conscientiously do all in their power to keep the germs out of the milk or to prevent them from breeding in their machines and utensils. This forces us to admit that science is not of much use without co-operation from the suppliers, although, when combined, they can accomplish all that is desired. Again, I must emphasise how the institution of universal grading of milk for cheese-mak-ing would solve this difficulty by offering pecuniary rewards for extra care and cleanliness by pointing out those responsible for the factory’s trouble and by penalising the constant offenders.

STARTER CULTURE SERVICE. “Through the season the starter culture service has been maintained for federated factories, and nearly 200 cultures have been supplied during the present working period. This has been a considerable convenience to managers and must have been a contributing factor in assisting them to improve the quality of their output. Difficulties in relation to the starter were much less common last spring than in former years. This freedom from starter trouble has been a great relief to managers and has allowed them more time to concentrate upon overcoming the difficulties of spring manufacture. There can be no doubt that if by securing a constant supply of reliable starter a factory avoids the manufacture of only a few days’ make of second grade cheese it has gone a long way towards paying its share of -the maintenance of the laboratory out of this saving alone. “Supplies of deeinormal caustic soda solution had been supplied free of charge to all managers requiring it. Besides this work outside work has also been carried out. At the request of the West Coast Refrigerating Company investigations were carried out on a certain yellow mould ''which was extremely common on cheese last season. The result of this inquiry showed that yellow growth was really a different phase of a well-known bluish-green mould and no more deleterious to cheese than the commoner mould. Samples of tallow, blood and bone and phosphate manures have been analysed by arrangement with the Patea Freezing Company, and arrangements have also been continued with the National Dairy Association to manufacture their requirements in various liquids.

“At the request of the National Dairy Association experiments were conducted on the suitability of certain samples of chrome steel for cheese vats. Similar experiments had already been performed on the alloy known as mould metal, but results were unsatisfactory. Experiments on the chrome steel, however, were more encouraging and justify the belief that, provided certain difficulties in regard to soldering or welding can be overcome, dairymen may yet obtain a dining for cheese vats which will be just as suitable but much more durable than the ordinary tinned metal. T.OW YIELD OF CHEESE. “Experiments were conducted into the acid resisting properties of a certain bituminous material which can be applied tp concrete or metal in the form

of a paint. Undoubted powers of resistance to acids have been proyed, and it is quite likely that, as a result of further research, a cheap and efficient material may be evolved for protecting steel or concrete whey tanks from corrosion.

“During the present season several companies have been troubled with a low yield of cheese per lb of butter-fat and in at least two cases investigated the trouble has been found to be due not to loss of eheese, but to incorrect tests, made abnormally high by the excessive use of potassium bichromate as a preservative. In consequence of a too free use of this the fat columns have been slightly swelled by small residues of precipitated casein and the tests have appeared too high and in consequence the yields too low. This error can be guarded against by using corrosive sublimate for presenving the composite samples. It is violently poisonous and due precautions must be observed in regard to its use and when disposing of samples.”

WEDNESDAY FOOTBALL INTERESTS ANNUAL MEETING OF COMMITTEE. The annual meeting of the committee of the South Taranaki Wednesday football competition was held in Hawera last night, when Mr. S. Thrush (Tokaora) presided. Also present were: Messrs. H. Thrush (Fraser Road), A. Elgar (City), A. Thomlinson (Whareroa), S. J. Tidswell (Ohangai) and N. W. Lee (Ohangai). Tlie president’s annual report stated that the committee wished to congratulate the Wednesday competition on- a very successful playing year. The committee, however, drew the attention of the different clubs in the competition to the lack of training, and stressed that it was absolutely necessary that all players should be fit to take the field and play out a good, fast open game, if they wished to hold the support of the public. At the end of the year Mr. A. Elgar donated a silver cup for a “knock-out” competition, and the thanks of the union were due to him for bis generosity. The committee congratulated the Fraser Road team on their success in nning the Daily News Shield and the Wilson Banner, and also on being run-ers-up for the Elgar Cup. Congratulations were also due to the City team for winning the Elgar Cup. The committee’s thanks were due to Mesdames Elgar (Hawera), Tidswell (Ohangai), Thrush (Tokaora) and Miss Thomlinson (Whareroa) for their assistance in making preparations for the annual smoke concert. Owing to the inability of the Stratford Central Division to fix a date the junior representative match did not take place. The committee thanked the Referees Association for appointing referees for all matches and the referees for the great trouble to which they had personally gone to in order to referee matches. Thanks were due to the Press for the full reports of matches and teams and especially to the secretary, Mr. A. Elgar, for his valuable services in the interests of Wednesday football.

The annual report and balance-sheet were adopted.

The election of officers resulted as follows: —President, Mr. 8. Thrush (reelected) ; vice-president, Mr. A. Thomlinson; secretary, Mr. A. Elgar. In nomi -ting Mr. Thrush as president, Mr. Tidswell thought Mr. Thursh could be elected president as a disinterested member, and that a further Tokaora representative could be appointed. Mr. Thrush was a most just president who kept aloof from mere club interests.

Mr. Thrush thanked the meeting for their confidence in him and stated that he would act this year in the best interests of Wednesday football as a whole.

It was decided that competition matches should commence on April 27. The Kakaramea Sports Club wrote asking that the football match be postponed on the second playing day, in view of the holding of their sports meeting on that date.—lt was decided to write regretting that the request could not be granted so early in the season.

The Mokoia District Settlers’ Association wrote asking for postponement of competition games on May 18, fox the Mokoia sports on that date.—lt was decided to grant the request, as this occasion was now regarded as an annual fixture.

Mr, Tidswell formally applied, on behalf of Mr. N. W. Lee (Ohangai), for the reinstatement of N. Hunt, who had played a few matches for Athletic club last year. The chairman stated that the matter would depend on the decision of the Taranaki Rugby Union, and it was decided to place the matter before that body. Regarding the attitude of Wednesday and Saturday players, the Wednesday union attitude was neutral, it being left to .players themselves. Mr. S. Thrush stated the position of the Tokaora club would not be finalised until to-night, but it would depend largely upon the decision of the Wednesday union as to allowing the Tokaora club to play outside players. Mr. Tidswell, in moving that Tokaora be allowed to play the necessary outside players, providing they were bona fide juniors, stated that it was up to the union to support this club and do everything to assist it to obtain a team. The motion was carried unanimously. Mr. Elgar stated that the City cltth proposed entering two teams instead of A and B teams, and the meeting was in favour of the proposal. The meeting to draw up the fixtures was set down for April 12. ELTHAM MAGISTRATE’S COURT. FORTNIGHTLY SITTING. Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M., presided over the fortnightly sitting of the Eltham Magistrate’s Court yesterday. Judgment by default was entered in favour of the plaintiff in the following undefended civil cases: — Hallenstein Bros. v. J. Hamilton, £4 13s 9d (costs £2 4s 6d); H. A. Cooper v. John Coupe, £5 5s (costs £1 15s 6d); H. A. Cooper v. David Evans, £9 Is (costs £2 Ils) ; H. A. Cooper v. A. C. Wilmshurst, £24 3s (costs £4 Is 6d); J. A. Boswell v. A. C. Wilmshurst, £29 6s (costs £4 Is 6d). Orders were made in the following judgment summons cases in which there was no appearance of the judgment debtors:— Frank Lucas, builder and contractor, Waitara, was ordered to pay the Egmont Box Co., Ltd. £25 and costs forthwith, in default 21 days’ imprisonment. W. Holmes was ordered to pay to J. M. Doyle, forthwith, the sum of £6 7s 6d and costs, in default six days’ imprison-

NOXIOUS WEEDS NUISANCE. FINES IMPOSED FOR RAGWORT. "I will treat you as one who has tried to eradicate the nuisance,” said the magistrate (Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M.) in the Eltham Magistrate’s Court yesterday when dealing with an information laid by the noxious weeds inspector against Frederick David Hall. Defendant pleaded guilty and explained that he had been informed that ploughing would eradicate the weeds and he had tried this method without success. He then adopted the course of stocking with sheep, but as this had not been sufficient he he had now placed 200 sheep upon the place. He was fined 20s (costs 12s). Another case of a farm badly infested with ragwort was that in which the inspector proceeded against Patrick Horgan. He stated that the farm had been badly infested, twenty-five acres being in full bloom in February, 1926. Defendant admitted the very bad condition of the property and stated that he had lost a number of cows through ragwort poisoning. He had done a great deal of work to clear the property but had now found that dairying was most difficult, and he had gone in for sheep farming. Defendant was fined 20s (costs 10s). SHAREMILKING AGREEMENT. The claim of Isaac Norris, of Eltham, a sharemilker, under a sharemilking agreement for payment of a total of £34 4s 7d made up of items for the refund of the amount of a fine for noxious weeds paid by Fitzgerald, the owner of the property, but deducted from Norris’ cheques; for share moneys allegedly withheld, since the plaintiff was due, under contract, to twofifths of the market value of shares for the paying up of which amounts had been deducted from milk cheques; a two-fifths shar« of the calves sold; for wages for fencing work; wages for sheep work in September last; two-fifths of a bonus payment; and for interest on moneys allegedly wrongfully withheld. : Fitzgerald counter-claimed for £65, ma', up of a claim for £5O as damages for deterioration due to the spreading of noxious weeds and a claim for £l5, being moneys received by Norris for milk supplied to the Commercial Dairy Company, for which the plaintiff allegedly did not account to defendant. The evidence on the claims was heard on March 22, together with the evidence of defendant on the counter-claim.

Plaintiff's evidence, on the counter-claim was heard yesterday, dealing at length with the question of noxious weeds on the property in question. Counsel for defendant submitted that Norris could not succeed as his claim was barred by Section 4 of the Statute of Frauds, the sharemilking agreement being a contract for service, and Norris would have to rely upon an implied contract. Lengthy legal argument ensued upon the point raised by defendant’s counsel that as the subject of the contract was not one to be performed within the year and as the nature of the contract was really one of master and servant, the matter fell within Section 4 of the Statute of Frauds. Decision was reserved.

COLLISION ON MOUNTAIN ROAD. BOTH PARTIES PROSECUTED. "• A motor-car collision on the Mountain Road about one mile on the Stratford side of Eltham on February 23, between cars driven by G. R. Prentice and Florence E. Woods, resulted in the drivers of both the cars appearing in the Eltham Magistrate’s Court yesterday. On the application of Sergeant Henry, who’ conducted the case on behalf of the Police, the eases were heard separately and that against Florence Emily Woods was heard’first. Garnet Raymond Prentice, employed by the Taranaki Power Board, Eltham, stated that on February 23 he was proceeding towards Eltham on the Mountain Road when he noticed a stationary car drawn up on the eastern side of the road, just off the tar-sealed strip. When about 200 yards away he noticed another car coming towards him about 400 or 500 yards on the other side of the stationary car. Witness thought he had ample time to pass the stationary car before the approaching car reached it. H e could not assess the speed of the oncoming car at this tim e but it was a medium speed. Had the speeds been equal he would have had ample time to pass the stationary car first. He was going to pass the stationary car and allow a good clearance of about five or six feet in case there was someone about to alight. It was then that the witness discovered that the Chrysler car was close up and he endeavoured to cut in around the stationary car to his correct side. Miss Woods (the driver of the oncoming car) then swerved to her wrong side. Prentice saw that his only chance of avoiding an accident was to swerve to the right-hand side. He swerved and slowed down. Miss Woods’ car collided with him on the left side, which was on an angle to the centre of the road. Miss Woods had evidently formed som e mistaken idea of his intention. There was a gateway on his wrong side and -this may have led to Miss Woods’ action in thinking he was about to turn into the gateway. After evidence by Constable Townsend, counsel for defendant asked for dismissal of the case as there had been no negligence.

The magistrate (Mr. R. W. Tate, S.M.) replied that he thought such an application could not possibly be considered as there had been ample evidence of negligence. Florence Emily Woods, the defendant, stated. that when Prentice had swerved to the right she had applied her brakes. When Prentice was about four chains away from the stationary car Prentice was on his wrong side and he travelled thus for two chains whil e Miss Woods’ was still on her correct side. She then thought, as Prentice continued on his wrong side, that he was about to turn into a nearby gateway so that she changed to her wrong side. Prentice, when near the stationary car turned to his left. At the point of impact Miss Woods’ car was not doing more than 15 miles per hour and she pulled up within nine feet. She did not pull up sooner because she thought Prentice would continue on his wrong side, leaving her plenty of room to pass between Prentice and the stationary car. Both defendants were convicted and discharged, and the charge against Miss Woods of driving on the wrong side of the road was withdrawn. Both parties had to bear their own costs.