FACTORY OPENED

Taranaki Daily News, 30 August 1935, Page 5

FACTORY OPENED

ARAWHATA ROAD CEREMONY. CELEBRATION BY SETTLERS.' Over 200 settlers were present last night at a social organised by Messrs. G. Bevan and L. Eustace to celebrate the opening of the Arawhata Road branch factory of the Oaonui Co-op. Dairy Co. Mr. Geo. Bevan presided and among the guests were Mr. J. Young, chairman of directors of the company, Mr. T. H. Bates, architect of the new factory, Mr. A, J. Brennan, secretary, and the other members of the directorate, Messrs. E. Bevan, R. J. O’Rorke, M. Gibson, T. Gardner, G. Holmes and L. Eustace. Music for dancing was supplied . by Piper McKinnon and Mr. J. Higgle. An apology was received from Mr. G. Clegg, who forwarded congratulations and good wishes from the Kina Road settlers.

Mr. Bevan in proposing the toast of the Arawhata Road factory said the function had been organised by the . local settlers, who felt the opening of the factory should be celebrated. In supporting him Mr. J. Young said that when the old factory was destroyed the directors were faced with many problems. After considering many sites they decided on the old one, and he was sure tliat had been wise. He congratulated tne Arawhata Road suppliers on having a factory second to none in the North Island and paid tribute to the work of the architect, the builders, the secretary and the engineer, Mr. W. H. Peick of the National Dairy Association, who had erected the machinery. Mr. Young appealed to the settlers to increase production by improved methods of farming, and said if that were done, the supply increased and the settlers remained loyal to their factory they were bound to achieve success. They would have all the assistance the directors could give, and the balance-sheets showed that the company’s working costs compared more than favourably with any other company working under three roofs. Messrs. Brennan;' Bates, G. Boon and Peick said it had been a pleasure to work together and with, the directorate, and they thought the factory and its equipment showed that the co-operation had been successful. Mr. Pe.ick paid a tribute to the assistance of the local manager, Mr. Purvis, and his staff. Mr. A. McDougall, general manager, also congratulated the district and asked for the loyal support of suppliers, and that they would do their best to supply the best quality raw material. If that were done he thought they could leave the staffs to do their best. A ribbon was cut by Mrs. Young and the factory was officially declared open by the chairman of directors. NEW FEATURES INCORPORATED. CONVENIENCE AND EFFICIENCY. The new building, which, in addition to incorporating the most modem features of factory design, possesses an attractive appearance, and is constructed of reinforced concrete. Probably the most notable features of its design are the excellent lighting of all the rooms and the special system of ventilation. The making room will accommodate seven vats. The floor space is 60ft. x 50ft., and the chief of its many conveniences is a tiled whey storage drain which does away with the old interior tank, and from which the whey is pumped directly for separating. . Adjoining the making room , is the curing room, insulated beneath' the roof with special material and in the walls with cork packing. All doors are also insulated to ensure the maintenance of an even temperature. A special system of ventilation beneath the floor is installed. Equal convenience of design is incorporated in the packing room and stage at the back of the building. Special accommodation is provided for workmen in a dressing and shower room, and salt, test, starter, culture and store rooms are conveniently arranged. A boiler room, enclosed coal bunker and office accommodation are also provided. The site has permitted a floor level arrangement by which the milk gravitates from the receiving stage to the vats, at a convenient pace, the building thus incorporating complete efficiency with economy of construction. The architect was Mr. T. H. Bates, New Plymouth, and the contractor Boon Bros., Ltd., New Plymouth.