OPOTIKI DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 229, 27 September 1928, Page 22

OPOTIKI DAIRY ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING.

OPOTTKI, this day.

The annual • report and balance-sheet of the Opotiki Dairy Association, submitted to the annual meeting to-day, statee that the past, season ou. the whole was a good one, both in regard to the production aud weather conditions, although the dry epell experienced early in the New Year considerably affected the supply during the latter part of January, February and early March. Notwithstanding this setback the make of butter showed an increase of 33 1-3 per cent on the previous eeason'e. This increase was contributed largely from the greater number of suppliers, wiiich increased by 58 during the year, and ako from the improvements in herds aa a reault of herdtesting and culling. The prices realised for butter during the whole season were 'better than during the previous year, notwithstanding the peculiar experience of the low values during the European winter, whidi wae quite opposite to expectation. The directors recommend that the credit balance of £14,469 1/1 shown in the profit and lose account be allocated as follows:— Dividend of 6 per cent on 1926-27 fully paid-up eharee, 31/7/27, absorbing £778 8/4; a further payment of l%d on all butterfat supplied during the year ended 31/7/28, absorbing £13,669 10/1, leaving a balance of £21 2/8 to be carried forward. The amount already paid out, together with the proposed additional payment, will bring the total payment on butterfat for the whole year up to 1/6% per lb for the period from August 1, 1927, to May 31, 1928, and 1/8% for June and July supply. It is proposed tu pny a dividend and aleo the final payment ou October 20. The directors congratulated thu suppliers who have su]ipliud the highest quality cream, which has enabled tlio high standard of quality of ''Opotiki Butter" beiny maintained during the pa*>t year. Jn connection with the marketing of ■butter, the directors had followed the custom of this company for many years pn.st in dispensing of export butter f.0.b., when prices oifered had been sufficiently attractive, aud consigning when prk-es were not attractive. ! Sales ou the local market had shown a good increase during the year; in this connection the directors commended the efficient efforts of their Auckland agents, Messrs. C. Aickin and Sons, Ltd. During the year considerable new and up-to-date machinery had been installed in the factory. This had bceu necejssary to cope with the increased make of butter, and to keep abreast of the times in improvements effected in dairy factory equipment.

The necessity for increased steam generation power had been iclt for some time, and with the increased supply of cream tha directors were forced to face the expenditure of installing a much larger boiler, which should servo the company for many years to come. The provision of a cheaper power wae ako receiving the earnest attention of the directors, and exhaustive inquiries were being made regarding the cost of different kinds of power. The directors hare continued to pay a higher price for butterfat during the two mid-winter months: this was having the desired effect o: increasing the winter make of butter, which is deeirable, a3 it means a supply of freshly made butter to our valued cu«tome"rs all the year round. The prospects of good values for dairyproduce during the coming season were good, and if present indications were realised, suppliers may look forward to at least equal returns for butterfat during the year.