GROWTH OF CAMBRIDGE DISTRICT

Waikato Times, Volume 128, Issue 21358, 28 February 1941, Page 8

GROWTH OF CAMBRIDGE DISTRICT

55 Years of farming Progress

Oldest town in the South Auckland and Waikato districts and, next to Hamilton, the largest community in the Waikato, the picturesque borough of Cambridge is rich in historical associations but, while history may blend maturity and dignity into the district, it has been the wealth of the pasture lands and resultant unlimited growth of the dairying industry which have stimulated progress. Fifty-five years ago Cambridge saw the birth of the Waikato dairy industry which succeeding generations have watched flourish throughout the fertile valley which has become, in that short but (progressive period, one of the greatest dairying districts in the world. Encouraging the farmers to acquire finer types of stock so that produce will not deteriorate, the Waikato Central Agricultural Association has been responsible in no small degree for the rapid progress of the industry for which it stands. The first agricultural exhibition held in the Waikato was staged at Cambridge and the Waikato Central Association is the oldest show organiser in the district. On Wednesday next the association will present its annual exhibition. One of the leading shows in the province, the Cambridge fixture will claim the attention of all agriculturists. FOUNDATION OF INDUSTRY THREE COMPANIES OPERATE From a wilderness of fern and scrub 75 years ago, the land of the Cambridge district has been converted into rich primary producing farmlands through the energies of pioneer settlers whose activities laid the foundations for a now-flourishing industry which supports three large dairy companies in the Cambridge district. The first factory at Pukekura laid the foundations of the New Zealand Dairy Company, which today is the largest in the world. It was through the enterprise of Mr Henry Reynolds, a well-known identity of the district, that the original semi-

manual dairy factory was established. His foresight can now be seen in the prosperous industry upon which the Waikato depends for its progress, an industry which has made the Waikato one of the wealthiest districts in the Dominion. Mr Reynolds was not content with his pioneering factory for long however, and through his activities many of the district’s leading factories today were established. A manager for the original Pukekura factory was secured from the United States of America in order to impart to Mr Reynolds knowledge of the latest methods of butter manufacture from America. The daily output of the new factory after the first year was about 2001bs. Butter for England In 1892 it was found that the Pukekura factory was producing more butter than the district required and a decision was made to export to England New Zealand dairy produce for the first time. So it was that the Cambridge district was responsible for the establishment of the Dominion’s primary exporting trade. The first consignment shipped to England consisted of six 501 b. lots packed in boxes and one hundredweight in one-pound tins. The tin packs were unsuccessful as a result of corrosion by salt, but the boxed butter arrived in excellent order. Since its establishment 39 years ago, the Cambridge Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, has made steady progress and today it is one of the leading dairy companies in the Dominion. The company produces both butter and cheese, but since thi outbreak of war it has substantially increased its manufacture of cheese in reply to the Empire’s call for increased cheese production. The company has in no small way contributed to the rapid progress of the district. The Bruntwpod Co-operative Dairy Company, established 25 years ago, is the other dairy company, which has accelerated the progress of Cambridge. It is a cheese manufacturing company and consequently has played a very important part in the drive for greater cheese production.