CHEESE FACTORY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXVI, Issue 3573, 6 October 1916, Page 7

CHEESE FACTORY.

OFFICIAL OPENING AT BLACK BRIDGE.

There was.a good attendance at the official opening yesterday of the Ash- 1 burton Duiry Company's new cheese factory at Black Bridge. The opening ceremony was performed by Mr 'C.Reid (acting-chairman of the company), and refreshments were then handed round. A number of. toasts were proposed and replied to, the speakers being Messrs D. McKcnzie, W. Nosnvorthv, M.l\, H. A. Lloyd, W. T. Lill, R. Galbraith Mayor of Ashburton), H. Wills, A. Moore, D. Shaw, and C. Fittick.

Mr C. Reid, in opening the factory, I referred to tho fact that it stood upon! land that had belonged to one of the moat enterprising of farmers—the late Mr John Grigg. He (Mr Grigg) had been one of the first to introduce the milking strain, and had made a great success of dairying «it Longbeach. It i was a pity MrGrigg's son (tho chairman of the company) was not present ! to perform the opening ceremony. The cost of the land and buildings had been £1883, and that of the.machinery £882. There was every prospect of a good season and good prices. Little cheese would be put on the local market, and prices for such as was would be fairly stiff. Mr lleid then formally declared the factory open. I

Mr Reid conveyed to the meeting apologies from a number of gentlemen who regretted their inability to be present. Mrs W. T. Lill was then called upon to cut tho first cheese, and hand round a sample to those present.

The toast of "The King," was duly honoured, and other toasts followed.

Mr McKen/jo briefly referred to the success of the National Government, and Mr Nosworthy, in reply, said he could endorse Mr McKonzio's opinion that the. National Government was necessary? And was doing its best. When the war was over, much would have to bo dono to adjust the financial and : soeinJi conditions not only of Now Zealand but of the Empire ua a, whole. Members of 'Parliament, in all cases, had tried to give the National Government hearty and loyal support in its. effort to conduct the wax* to a, successful conclusion. ■ At; present the losses we wore, sustaining bred sympathy among all sections of the community, and tho speaker was sure that while tho war lasted, and after it, the object of tho Parliament and tho National Government would be solely'the welfare, qf this, people as a. whole. It was a. pleasure to know that the followers of the lit. Hon. W. F: Alassey and Sir Joseph Ward had been able to work in harmony, nn<l it was to. bo hoped tha.t their effort.l-, would bo crowned with success. The sentiment voiced by Mr Lloyd George recently as that of the English people was one that the speaker and all Britishers must endorse. In conclusion, he wished the factory and its supporters tho best of .success. Mr H. A. Lloyd said he was sure the factory was in one of the best, localities, and if the farmers could not derive success from it. it was not the fault of their land.

Mr "W. T Lill said ho coiisitlored tho agricnltural and pastoral industry one of tho finost in tlio \porld. While tho war was on, the farmers wore going in their own way—making money. The opportunitios. were with them to-day,i and their ordeal, which had been in tlie past, entitled them to success. The speaker described what farmers had had to contend with in- former days, and predicted a great future for them in this 1 County. In 1 tJiis conneetioh, lie recalled' how the late Mr Grigg' had spent something like £10 por acre on cultivation,, drainage, etc..' -on his farm.

The Mayor of Ashburton (Mr R. Galbraith) said tlie country about was admirably suited for the industry that was being launched in it, and was capable of rivalling the provinces that were at present pre-eminent in dairying. The directors of the company were live men, and the Cringe of the industry having merely been touched upon, it was probable* that the new factory would bo the fore-runner of many such others in the County.

Other gentlemen present also spoke, and tho general impression to be gleaned from their remarks was that tho new factory will receive the neighbouring farmers 1 hearty support.