GLEN AFTON.

Thames Star, Volume LVII, Issue 15887, 27 July 1923, Page 5

GLEN AFTON.

OFFICIAL OPENING. A LARGE GATHERING. In the presence of about 2000 suppliers and friends the Glen Afton colliery, the property of the New Zealand Co-op. Dairy Company, Ltd. Avas opened on Wednesday by Mr J. A. Young, M.P. Very complete train arrangements had been made over the territory operated by the company-, so that representatives from all parts could attend. The consequence was that the gathering probably represented the largest individual gathering of dairy farmers ever held in the province. On arrival at Huntly the passengers by the various trains were conducted to the Miners’ Union Hall, where light luncheon was dispensed, after which two sjAecial trains were employed to convey the sightseers to the mine.

At the mine the visitors immediately spread themselves OA’er the ( landscape, determined to see everything possible of the well-laid-out plant now being operated by the eMnpany. Members of the company’s staff were on hand to direct visitors to the screening where actual loading operations were in progress, after which the fan house, Avork shop, engine house and, most important of all, the pit head itself, Avere inspected. Into the black depths of the mine hundreds of suppliers, including many ladies, penetrated and all emerged, from their half-mile venture underground vastly impressed by the extent of thp work already done, and the immense capacity ofVthe mine for future sue-' cessful development. At 3 o’clock the immense gathering massed on the hillside to honoui the official opening of the mine by Mr J. A. Young. The chairman oi directors of the company, Mr W. Claud Motion, presided, and associated with him on the platform were other members of the directorate and representatives of the management.

Mr W. Claud Motion, chairman of directors, said a feAv words regarding the history of the company’s ownership of the mine. Mr Hetherington, of Ngaruawahia, first submitted the proposition to Mr Goodfellow. As soon as Mr Goodfellow went into the details of the matter he could see the tremendous advantage it would be to the Dairy Company to OAvn such a mine, and accordingly in June, 1919, he put the matter oefor© the directors, who thought it would be advisable to acquire an option and have an engineering survey made. Mr N. D. Cochrane was accordingly entrusted Avith this survey work. The report was so satisfactory that the board immediately decided to have a more definite survey made so as to thoroughly test the 1280 acres. On the, strength of the report the board decided to purchase the property consisting of both the freehold and the leasehold sections. ~iy

He would like to take the opportunity, Mr Motion declared, of officially stating for the benefit of those who may have heard rumours that Mr W. Goodfellow had some interest in the property, that Air Goodfellow had never personally owned a single blade of grass on the property acquired by the Dairy Company. 'Statements to that effect had been actively circulated by certain opposition canvassers, but they were inspired only with the desire to spread dissention amongst the Dairy Company’s suppliers to prevent progress and development. There was not a vestige of truth in these statements. After acquisition of the property bad been completed, Mr Ashley Hunter was appointed to undertake the engineering connected with the railway sidings and the erection of the necessary plant and machiery. At this stage the company was fortunate in securing the appointment of Air Peter Hunter as mine manager. There was no doubt that had it not been for the energy displayed by Air Peter Hunter, the opening would not now be taking place. The greatest difficulty they had had to contend with had been Gie railway work. To facilitate the progress of this work they had been obliged to take over a contract from ♦he Public Works Department, and push the work on. All difficulties in the development of the mine had now been overcome, and they were now in the proud position of facing the future with an assured supply of coal won from their own mine. The consumption of coal in the 13 big butter factories owned by the company, the 16 cheese factories, the 3" milk-powder factories, and the numerous creameries and bulking stations was now on a vei'y large scale indeed, placing their yearly consumption on a basis requiring many tens of thousands of

tons. To Tecluee the cost of this big- item as will now be done, meant a corresponding’ increase in the amounts payable to suppliers on a butterfat basis. With this venture leaching a profitable stage they could say that the final big economy in manufacturing charges had been reached, and that henceforth their manufacturing costs would be on a bedrock basis.

He was very glad to see such a large attendance, and felt sure that they would be more than satisfied with what they would see of the mine.

Mr W. Goodfellow, managing director of the company, who was greeted with prolonged applause, briefly indicated the immense advantages likely to be derived from the mine in future. The capital cost to the pre sent had been £BB,OOO, and this had been provided by the farthing deduction on butterfat throughout 3 seasons. To successfully compete with other dairy countries in the future it was essential for the company to have command of cheap means of production, and this was certainly insured by their possession of such a mine. The company’s products were now reaching out into all corners of the world, and their agent at present was in the Bast and doing very good business, indeed, in all branches of dairy products. Every department of the company’s activities would benefit by the cheaper cost of production ensured by this mine, and the suppliers, as a whole, could very heartily be congratulated upon their possession of such a property whieh was a magnificent asset to the business.. The chairman at this stage presented to Mr Young a handsome silver pick to commemorate the opening of the mine. (Applause). Mr Motion also congratulated Mr Young upon his appointment as Chairman of Committees in the House of Representatives. (xlppla.use). Mr J. A. Young, who was received with prolonged applause, said he had the heartiest pleasure in officially declaring the mine open. The occasion was a most momentous and notable one, being the opening of the first coal mine ever owned by a cooperative dairy company. That mine, the size of which was demonstrated before them, would prove an asset of incalculable worth in reducing manufacturing charges and increasing the reward payable to suppliers. They should be proud that such attainments had been possible under their co-operative organisation, and it was due to them to say that it had been jiossible only because they possessed at the head of their affairs men of vision and men of determination to carry out their vision. (Applause). Mr Goodfellow had done a notable work in completing this departure, of which they would all reap the benefit in future. He had very much pleasure in symbolically opening the mine by tapping with the pick presented him a lump of coal won from the mine, and officially declaring it open. (Loud applause). Mr Motion handed a cheque for £2O to the president'/of the local Miners’ Union to afford the ladies and children of the district a treat in commemoration of the occasion. (Applause).

Afternoon tea was thoughtfully dispensed by the ladies of the district, and was much appreciated oy the gathering as a whole.