MERE MERE CO-OPERATIVE COMPANY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LIV, Issue 13745, 7 September 1908, Page 7

MERE MERE CO-OPERATIVE COMPANY.

The annual report of the j\lere Mere Co-operative Dairy Company sates that the quantity of milk received was 7,222,5841b5, being a decrease of 1,081,5061b5, caused principally, if not altogether, by the drought. The average test was 3.734 per cent., or slightly lower than it was the previous season, and it took 23.52 lbs of milk to make one pound of butter. Last season's output was sold at what the directors considered a highly satisfactory price bat, owing to the drought in New Zealand and Australia, the prices of butter, maintained such a high level on the London market that those who consigned .made better prices than those who sold. There is a balance of £216 ids 3d to the credit of profit and loss account, which directors recommend should be written off property and plant account. Owing to the decreasedfioutput, the extra; cost of labour, and ttfe increased cost of many of the factqry requisites,, the cost of manufacture has increased by £2 8s per ton. The butter sent through the grading works at Ifatea has graded well during the past season, and has given satisfaction to the London buyers." In the balance-sheet the profit and loss account showed on the receipt side: Butter sold £13,150 Is 7d (export £12,791 11s 4d, and locally £358 18s 3d); balance from July 31, 1907, £704 15s lid, profit West Coast Refrigerating Co. £19 15s lOd. Among the items of expenditure were: Milk purchased £10,970 0s 2d, wages £GO3 5s Od, goods account £620 3s 7d. .