LEPPERTON.

Taranaki Herald, Volume LVIII, Issue 14344, 24 October 1910, Page 6

LEPPERTON.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Oct. 22.—Tho eighteenth annual meeting of the Lcpperton Co-op. Dairy Company took place here last evening. Mr. W Crowe, who has just returned from a visit to the Old Country, occupied the chair, and was greeted with loud applause when entering the room. Mr. Crowe, while at Home, had several interviews with Collett and Go’s, people, who spoke in glowing terms of Repperton butter. Mr. Rickard brought up the question of skim milk pasteurisation, and after some discussion it was decided not to entertain tho question at tho present at least. It was, however, unanimously decided that tho company should indent artificial manures on behalf of tho suppliers. The time seems ripe when farmers should combine and do this business in a wholesale way and effect a good saving on the retail system. Mr. Crowe mentioned incidentally that New Zealand butter was pretty largely used for faking purposes at Homo mist'd with other brands to assist the quality. While in conversation with a gentleman at 1 lomo, Mr. Crowe was informed that New Zealand butter was preferred to best English makes. Complimentary reference was made to tho manager having scored top grade for tho Dominion last year, ho being granted a bonus of £lO as a mark of appreciation, with instructions to go on again and do likewise. An election of directors took place resulting in the return of Messrs. Sclioles, Opcnshaw, and Hamblyn. On tho motion of Mr. J. Clarke, tiie director,s were accorded a hearty vote of thanks for past services. Mr. Ackland, in seconding, emphasised the fact that the affairs of tho company were exceedingly well managed. A most interesting finish to this business was the paying out of a bonus of 1 l-6d on the past season (£65l 6s 2d). Now is not the winter of discontent. The directors’ report stated that during the year ending August 31, the innk received was 3,297,836 1b5—133,983.95 lbs of bntter-fat. Butter made amounted to 154,115 lbs—6B tons 16 cwt 0 qrs 3 lbs. It took an average of 21.4 lbs of milk to make 1 lb of butter. Each 1 lb of butter-fat —1.15 lbs of butter. The average test was 4.06. Out of the surplus of £720 11s 4d, your directors propose to pay 5 per cent, interest on share capital subscribed to August 31, 1909—£64 11s lid, and to make a payment to suppliers of 1 l-6d per pound of butterfat for the season—£6sl 6s 2d, and to carry the balance forward. After the payment of the T l-16d named above suppliers will have received an average of 11.29 d (nearly 11 l-3d) for the season. Including interest to shareholders the average received will be 11.41 d, as compared with those factories which do not pay interest on share capital. During the winter months your directors have had a now cool-room built, and a now concrete receiving stage put in, and other work done. They have also had the plant overhauled, and a new brine tank and a new' milk heater installed. Tho total cost of all this was £244 Is lid, of which the sum of £95 10s has boon charged to buildings and plant,-and the balance of £l4B 11s lid your directors propose to write off by, transfer from Reserve Account. Yo’ur directors are pleased to report tnut this company was at the head of tho grading averages for the past season over the whole Dominion with an average of 93.33, a result of which your, manager has every reason to bo proud. The annual small sale of work on behalf of Dr. Barnado’s Homes will tako place at tho residence of Mrs. H. B. Leppor on Saturday afternoon, November 5, when given a_ fine day, no doubt the receipts for this laudable object will bo as good as ever.