HUNTERVILLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 188, 11 August 1931, Page 3

HUNTERVILLE

RATA DAIRY COMPANY. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of Rata Dairy Company was held in the Town Hall. Hunterville, on Saturday, Mr. K. G. Dalzieil (chairman of directors) presiding. There were over 7U shareholders present. Un the motion of Messrs Mair and McDonald the report and balance-sheet were taken as read. The chairman, in moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, said the season had been an exceptionally good one from the production side, but unfortunately the prices had not been so satisfactory. The output of 848 tons 13cwt. was a record for tne company. The economic crisis from which the world was suffering had resulted in lower prices. The present market conditions showed no indication of an appreciable increase. To offset this they must increase production and it was only by herd testing and top dressing that this could be done. The quality had been maintained and over 720 tons had passed through the grading works with an average grade of 94.681 points, Kata again heading the list of factories shipping through Wellington. This posi tion they had held for several years. The grade of cream showed an improvement on the previous year. With the object of reducing costs and economising the directors went thoroughly into the question before deciding to electrify the factory. Although the power was' not installed until the middle of the season and 71 tons more was manufactured there was a reduction in fuel and power of £54 and wages of £166. The total costs show a reduction of oneeighth of a penny per lb. of butterfat. Fewer cows had been tested this year, resulting in an increase in cost of 7d per cow. This, however, was well below the cost of other associations. The store turnover had been well maintained considering the decrease in suppliers returns. Pigs had been sold to the best advantage at the best price, and two companies were operating in the purchase of bobby calves, the N.D.A. anl Borthwicks. The prices were the same and it had been thought with competition that prices would have been better, but prices had dropped, being from Is 64 to 3s 6d. In regard to collection it had come to his knowledge that it had been stated that cost of collection from Marangai was 3d to 4d a lb. He emphatically contradicted that statement. Collection from Marangai did not cost as much as from some other parts of the district, especially in the northern end. The average cost was .34d per lb, which was considerably less tnan 3d or 4d. The motion was seconded by Mr. G. F. Haar. Mr. K. W. Wrightson said that the nett prolit from the store should not be less than per cent. Under present conditions the public could buy at the same price as snareholders, while if the profits were greater the public would • pay more and shareholders get a return in dividend at the end of the year. The chairman said the number of nonsuppliers buying goods was very small. Mr. McManaway said the store had been built up with borrowed money and paid off out of small reserves, the whole being now the property of the company. Private storekeepers could not deliver the goods as cheaply as the company. The store was meant to work on a close margin and by buying in the best markets. indenting where possible, and receiving all possible discounts, it was run for service rather than profit, supplying good class goods. Mr. Quinlan: Good class? Mr. McManaway said any complaints should be made in writing and these would always receive attention. Recently a committee had been set up to look after the store and keep things on a finer basis. They did not wish to show a big balance. In fact, he was pleased considering the butting down on a falling market to see any profit at all. He would have been quite content to see a loss under the conditions of twelve months ago and to-day. The store was not a trading concern but part and parcel of their own business —not a socialistic concern—but an effort to sell goods as cheaply as anywhere. It was wonderful how well they had supported their store and it gave wonderful serMr. Lloyd Hammond said the quality of goods exercised the minds of their better halves, but they should remember that there were several qualities in many lines, but if they asked for Al quality they would receive it at the cheapest price. Mr. Quinlin: The cheapest quality was one price—sometimes more, but never less. Some bacon for which he paid Is Id must have been old sow. The Chairman: If yon take- a side of bacon instead of a small quantity it cost 9(1. Mr. McManaway said they had purchased the best pigs, had them cured and sold nt 9d. but the purchasers took all the sides and left the hams—that .:-s not a socialistic scheme. Messrs. Quinlan and Raine expressed .’ -satisfaction at the way the store was run. Mr. McManaway said their experi ment to sell the bacon at cost had not been a success as stated above and it had now been 4 4 washed out.’’ Mr. Scott-Maundrell: There are a ■t of goods in the store marked U.S.A. Why not buy British goods? Mr. McManawav said all things being equal British goods had preference. In reply to Mr. Raine the chairman said when they sent a consignment of pigs awav they received the same pigs back as bacon. Mr. Raine: I am blowed if I know. I sent some pigs away but did not get my own back. The - hairman said there was no mixing w hen they sent a quantity to cure on their own account. In reply to Mr. Haar the chairman said the store manager had the right to buy anywhere and his salary was £lOO less than the previous manager. Mr. Haar said the present manager should receive the same salary as the previous one. Everything was in its right place and directors could see this for themselves. Messrs. Raine and Haar complained about running a 'orry with smal’ parcels, hut Mr. McManawav pointed out that the total cost of delivery per mile was lower than ever before. Mr. Haar: You must have some cheap benzine. In reply to Mr. McDonald the secretary said when shares were allotted holders had the right to vote. Ju reply

to a further question the secretary said as far as he knew all those who were entitled had received voting papers. Some discussion took place in reference to alleged preference to Borthwicks as against the N.D.A. in the sale of bobby calves, but it was pointed out there was no preference. The latter co-op. company had asked for and received the same terms as last year. I Some speakers alleged that the former was an American company, but Mr. Alan Marshall said Borthwicks was a British company with headquarters in London. In reply to Mr. Aidworth, junr., the chairman pointed out that the present method of collection was better than a payment according to mileage, as the extra cream received meant lower overhead costs owing to increased tonnage. The greater portion of the cream came from districts furthest away from Rata. Mr. Rucbe pointed out that the amo nt received from Marangai warranted the collection and only once in 17 years had the cost been over one penny. Mr. F. 11. Powell asked if there was any way to prevent overlapping, and instanced two companies running to the Otamakapua block for two or three suppliers. The chairman said this had given dairy companies much concern, especially in the Manawatu. He had spoken to the chairman of the Taihape Dairy Company and ho had agreed to bring the matter before his directors, but so far nothing more had been heard of the matter. Mr. McManaway said they had an agreement with Cheltenham and Rangitikei companies. In reply to a question from Mr. Quinlan re 10 per cent, cut, the chairman said the company was paying the award. Prior to the cut they had paid more. In reply to a further question Mr. McManaway said the chairman, secretary and manager had all voluntarily agreed to a cut in their honorarium and salaries. In reply to Mr. Quinlan, the secretary said there were about 150 44 dry” shareholders. Mr. Quinlan said the dividend should be reduced to 24 per cent, when the dry shareholders would sell their shares to the company and their voting power would be reduced. Mr. McManaway considered this a very narrow view, as though they might be dry this year they may be suppliers next. Also many of those men had stood to the company in the difficulties of the early days. In reply to a further question Mr. McManaway said the company was keen to buy shares in. Mr. Quinlan said the dry shareholders had about 30 per. cent, of the voting power. In reply to Mr. Wrightson the chairman said the public could buy shares privately owned, but not from the company. Mr. Quinlan said he would like to give notice of motion that the dividend be reduced from 6 per cent, to 2| per cent. The chairman pointed out that this would need to be in writing when another meeting would be held. The discussion was then declared out of order and the motion adopting the report and balance-sheet was put and carried without dissent. Mr. A. J. B. Sicely was rc-clected auditor. Mr. Wrightson said he would like to move 4 ‘That it be a recommendation that no director hold the chairmanship for more than three years in succession.” He would like to hear the feeling of the meeting. This way all directors would be in touch with the work. Mr. Mair said the discussion was out of order and the chairman agreed, but said he was allowing as much latitude as possible. Mr. Scott-Maundrell said some of the directors had been there 13 years, and if they were not fools they should know something about the chairman’s job. There was no man whose place could not be filled. Mr. Wrightson said he was satisfied to leave things as they were. Election of Directors. The directors retiring in rotation were Messrs. Lloyd Hammond, E. R. Kuebe and W. Hart, the latter not seeking re-election. Six nominations were received and the election resulted:— Mr Lloyd Hammond 4SS; Mr Alan H. Marshall 425; Mr Alex. McDonald 260, Mr E. R. Kuebe 216; Mr R. W. Wrightson 72; Mr C. L. Raine 63. The first three were elected. All returned thanks. A vote of thanks and confidence in the directors and staff was carried by acclamation and the meeting adjourned. At a meeting of directors held after wards Mr. R. G. Dalzieil was re-elected chairman for the ISth year in suceession. MIDGET FOOTBALL SILVERHOPE 12, HUNTERVILLE 3 Before the senior teams took the field the spectators were treated to an interesting game between the Silvcrhope and Hunterville midget teams. The winners showed a greater knowledge of the game and their combination proved too good for the local boys. For the winners M. Bartlett and N. Illston (3) scored tries, while Stewart crossed for the local side. LADIES’ GOLF As the links will not be closed on Wednesdays as stated a bogey match will be played on Thursday, August 13. The following is the draw:—Mrs Illston v. Miss Lourie; Mrs Taylor v. Miss Johnstone; Mrs Aidworth v. Miss Mary Swainson; Mrs Hunt v. Miss Margaret Swainson; Miss Powell v. scorer; Mrs iDalziell v. Mrs Hammond; Mrs Rhodes v. Miss Bartlett; Mrs Donovan v. Miss Cummins; Miss Adams v. Miss P. Hammond; Miss M. Hammond, v. Miss Wilton; Miss M. Illston v. Miss Simpson; Mrs Johnstone v. Mrs Mair; Mrs Bart- ' lett v. Mrs Jones; Mrs Thompson v. Miss Meads; Mrs Pitcaithly v. Miss Adkins; Mrs Adkins v. scorer.