PROGRESS AT TARATA

Taranaki Daily News, 5 September 1930, Page 11

PROGRESS AT TARATA

NEW FACTORY OPENED MODERN AND WELL EQUIPPED. THE SETTLERS CONGRATULATED. Yesterday marked an epoch in the progress of the Tarata district, the official opening of a new and up-to-date butter factory built in concrete. “A very creditable building and. one that will last the needs of the district a number of years, the directors having wisely looked ahead,” remarked Mr. J. W. Winfield, Mayor of Inglewood, in declaring the new factory open. A large and representative attendance of settlers and visitors assembled at the invitation of the directors to take part in the opening ceremony. Replacing the old wooden structure the modern buildinn' marks a distinct note of progress. Mr. J, Askew, chairman of directors, introduced Mr. Winfield and expressed pleasure at meeting such a large gathering. Mr. Winfield said Tarata had always appealed to him. It spoke volumes for the character of the settlers that despite the uphill fight they managed to pay their way and look cheerful, lhe settlers were to be admired for the way they had so cheerfully fought to overcome obstacles, and they. therefore deserved good luck. He reviewed till? history of the factory pointing out that when it was started in 1899 the output was 29 tons and the payment was G 3-5 d per pound butter-fat. Today they thought a payment of 14d disastrous. He was pleased to see that some of the settlers who had battled through the mud prior to the advent of metalled roads were still in the district. He reviewed the progress made by the factory, the output having grown from'29 tons to 112 tons. THE PUSH OF PROGRESS. The directors, feeling the push of the increasing milk supply on the one hand and the outward push of the walls on the other, due to the age of the building, had set to work to build a new factory and had erected a very creditable building indeed. He stressed the importance of the cow to the Taranaki farmer with the regular month y cheque. He then declared the factory opeii, expressing the hope that it would prove the commencement of a new era of prosperity for the district. Those present were the guests of the directors at afternoon tea, which wasserved in tjie factory. _ Subsequently a short toast list was discussed, Mr. Askdw presiding and proposing the Wyai toast. ■...'- The toast of the Dairy Division was proposed by Mr. W. Smee, who remarked that but for the dairy industry New Zealand would not be in its P r eseut position. Not only the farmers but the inen that manufactured the produce and the Government officials who supervised had their full share in the success achieved. ' , • In responding Mr. D. Hull apologised for the absence of Mr. Robertson, chief o-rdder, and Mr. Thompson. The work of the division, he said, was mainly confined to improving the quality of the produce. The foundation, of the daiiyincr business was based on cleanliness and coni me nee nse. The neces.sity foi coolino- cream as it left the separator arid tlien keeping Jt .out of the sun. till picked up by the cream lorry was stressed. Grading of cream, which had been introduced compulsorily four years ago, had done a great deal to improve the quality. Even prior to its introduction no less than 70 per cent, of cream was voluntarily graded, so that cream grading was required only to rope in the remaining 30, per cent. They must aim -at having a type- of milking shed and plant winch they would proudly point out to any visitors as the place where they produced the cream from which the butter they ate was manufactured. They must keep in mind the fundamental fact that the person they had to please was that very discriminatinn- one, the person who bought a pound"of butter over the counter. Tarata suppliers must be supplying good cream because the factory ranked fifth on the list of factories grading butter at Moturoa. The Dairy Division, he concluded, was always at the service of the industry, working steadily but silently with the paramount aim of improving the quality. WORK OF LOCAL BODIES. “Local Bodies” was proposed by Mr. J. Hallet, who remarked that the members of local bodies generally did good work but received very little thanks. In responding Mr. J. Grieve said that with the advent of metalled roads the factories were able to become established. Since the Inglewood County Council had adopted a tar-sealing policy it had been able to carry on without raising its rates. In proposing “Neighbouring Factories,” Mr. A. J. Webb thanked them for the assistance they had always been 'SO willing to give. He particularly thanked the Maketawa Company for manufacturing Tarata produce during re-building operations. Messrs. J. Dobson (Kaimata) and W. Marshall (Maketawa) responded, each congratulating Tarata on its progressive policy. In proposing “The Tarata Dairy Company/’ Mr. F. Cameron congratulated the company on the structure it had built. The (..rectors, he said, apparently realised that a workman, no matter how good, must have good tools, they were in a competitive industry and they must look to their laurels very closely 'as regards quality. In reply Mr. Askew said he was lookin<r forward to a good season. directors bad undertaken a considerable liability in connection with the factoiy, but he thought with the assistance of the suppliers they would have no difficulty, in pulling through. Jn proposing the health of the British agents the chairman paid a tribute to the splendid service rendered to the company by Mr. J. R. Cruickshank. From his experience he realised that agents were indeed performing a service to the industry. In reply Mr. Cruickshank said he agreed that they had their definite place in the industry. During the past 30 or 40 years’ development of the industry they had generally lived up to the traditions of the British trader the world over for fair trading and commercial integrity. When the Tarata Company was established 30 years) ago the total export of New Zealand butter amounted to 5000 tons, of a total value of less than £500,090. Last year the output ha’ totalled between 60,000 and <O,OOO tons valued at over £8,000.000. lhe quantity had increased twelvefold whilst the value had increased nineteenfold. New Zealand butter had established its reputation by its quality, and he ventured to say that during the troublous times through which they were passing quality would be the sheet anchor of New Zealand produce. It was well that, they should realise that New Zealand had to meet plenty of competition. For every ton of butter that New Zealand sent to England other countries, sent tour. Denmark alone eent in over 1£ tons to New Zea-

land’s one. New Zealand had its reputation as regards material to maintain. To-day it was regarded as second to none on tho British market, and as loner as that was maintained the farmers of New Zealand would be able to “hold on.” Dar’sh butter realised a slierht premium on Now Zealand btittei but that was duo partly to its geofrrapliical position and partly to the fact that Denmark maintained continuity of 61 Other toasts were: Bast Managers (Mr H Lambert —Messrs. J. Lynch and A. Coriiey); Designer and Contractors (Mr. W. "Messenger—Messrs. J. Simons and B. L. Dixon); The Ladies (Mr. J. j-jallct Mr. N. Lawrence); _ The Press (Mr. J. Elliott —representatives of the Herald, and Daily News); and lhe Chairman. ECONOMY AND EFFICIENCY. In the construction and equipment of the new factory the keynote seems to have been economy and efficiency rather than exterior ornamentation. Nevertheless the building presents a neat and pleasing appearance with its cementplastered walls relieved by the window sashes picked out in dream and the roof painted red. . Built on the latest design on one floor level the factory is 38ft. by 50ft. overall. The outside walls aie 13ft. high, the roof rising to 20ft. at the ridge, wiviiicr plenty of air space. A ''’ide, overhangino- verandah the full width ot the front of the building over a concrete ramp enables the cream to be unloaded in comfort in all weathers on to a spacious stage. On the same level is the testing room, 10ft. _ by 10ft., equipped with modern appliances foi cream testing. The butter room, 40ft. by 28ft., is very lofty with sarked ceiling, tending to keep the temperature down in tlie hot weather. In the designing special attention has been paid to the ventilator. Plenty of windows and skylights provide ample light, which is accentuated by the internal decorative scheme consisting of a cement dado sft. high, finished with a white extension. The butter room is equipped with modern plant comprising two cream pasteurisers, the latest type of water cooler with patent distributing tray, a direct expansion cream vat of 40 gallons capacity, a 16001 b. churn and a two-ton freezer. The freezing room, insulated with cork, lias a large capacity and above it provision is made for the storage of water. The motive power generally will be provided by one of the latest type of turbine, the water being brought by a race less than half a mile from the Taramouku River. There is, however, a standby steam engine, steam being supplied from a 14 h.p. boiler which is housed undir the main roof.

Tanks on elevated concrete stands give plenty of water for general factory purposes, and particularly for flushing, the draining being a special feature.

The capacity of the factory is about 250 tons. The work of construction has been carried out by Messrs. Julian and Sons, Mr. J. Hagen having been foreman in charge, whilst the machinery w*as installed by Messrs. J. B.- MacEwan, . Mr. B. L. Dixon having charge of that department.

During the 32 years it has been in operation the company has been controlled by 11 chairmen of directors arid 12 managers. Mr .R. Baxter was the first chairman, he holding office for three years from 1899 to 1901. Mr. R. Paterson then took up the reins, which he held for. ten years from 1902 to 1911 inclusive, with the exception of a break in 1906, when Mr. W. H. Hart whs clffiirnian. Then followed Messrs. S. A. J. Paynter 1912, E .A. Death 1913, A. H. Barnitt 1914, R. J. Morey 1915-1916. Mr. J. Askew, the present, chairman .took up the reins in 1917, holding the position for four yeays. He was succeeded by Air.*l. Crowe in 1921, but was reelected in 1922-1923. Air. J. W. Simmons . took charge in 1924-27 inclusive, and Mr. E. J. Mackie in 1928-29, followed by Air. I. Askew in 1930. There have been only'two secretaries, the late Mr. Percival having held the position from its inception until eight or nine years ago, when his partner, •Air. W. B. Alessenger ,the present secretary, took charge.