RATA NOTES.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume XLVII, Issue 12271, 3 September 1904, Page 7

RATA NOTES.

(From Our Olwn Correspondent.)

The chief topic of conversation just norvv as milking, and the start of the factory season. It Would be betting on a certainty to waiger that from every second person you meat the question, after the first salutation, would be either, How many cows have you got in? or, are j7ou taking mffik to- the factory yet? The altera'tt'ons to tihe factory are nearly ooanplleted, and mliik is already being received there. Tihe change in the initf de. arrangements is very noticeable, .and. the new building is without doubt a vasb improvement. T!he main bviildng now 'tokctg the form of a letter L. At the end c'f one altm of the letter is the reoelirving door for miik, then conieo. th© separator room. Two separators are installed, and space is available for more. Then at the junction of the new build, ing and itiho old one the .milk vats. At this end is another doo>r for the reeeptlon of cream from the affiliated creameriete. Turning towards• tihe old' buiilding <w<a face 'tiie churns, the bearings of whlijcih, are now supported on iron standards, and height and other arrangements are much better than before. Advancing up the did building we ■o'oane tio the butt, ter worker, and a new in'trcduction in the shape of a butter pounding machine, and iiere one is at onc-a s'tiuick by the great increase in space now available. Tiliis tshould greiati'y 'facilitate the work, as there ris no doubt that in the old building tihe employees w-ecre much cramped for room. NAt present the cold storage rdom remains 'tine same, but I understand that improvements are to be made later. The engine room and refrigerator room are as before, and alto, gether the shareholdere are kk> be congfotuikJted on the improved factory, wntich should lead to increased output and an advance in the price paid for butter fat.

The announcement of tihsi Rata Footballl iplu'b annual 'ball is out. It will take place on Friday, 23rd September. The committee have decided to go to a much greater expense 'than hitherto in the direction of obtaining good music, and with a good floor dancers may be sura of an enjoyable evening. I am glad tio be told that application has been sent in for. the -gazetting of ■Sftverhope School Cadets, Although only a ejection wall be possible, there 'Still, I undiere'tand from a chat I had with the 0.C., that they will foe attached for bat. talion ar'Ais to Rata half-company, and that tlhough small in number, the "material!." i s distinctly gjood.

The: Silverhope (School had a very pleasant reiinion last week. I was unfortunately not able to attend, but from all ateoounts it was a great success, l<ha items on the programme by the scholars were particularly we'll -done, and reflects tha greatest credit on the mis. tress of tiho. ©ahlool, who had but scant time for preparation. I am asked to remind members of the Rata .Football G'nb that a special fund is being raised 'to present their late secretary, Mr. W. Thompson,, w'-t-h a suitable testimonial. His long services on b-eJhalf of the club are well known, and I hbpe the wmanittee's efforts in this direction, will result in a bumper subscription list".