A WORTHY RECORD

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 1, Issue 102, 20 December 1939, Page 5

A WORTHY RECORD

TWENTY-FIVE YEARS OF SERVICE -MR J. W. SUMNER HONOURED WARM PUBLIC TRIBUTE "It is usual to expect that

"when a person retired after forty ..years work, lie is expected to rest -a little and relax, but John William Sumner coming to this district after such a term of toil •started off again to be of service 4o the people of Rangitaiki, who "for the past twenty-five years "have had the benefit of his and ability." Thus, one •of the speakers (Mr L. Buddie) at the public meeting on Saturday last for the purpose of making a presentation to Mr J. W. Sumner in recognition of his 'work in connection with the Rangitaiki Dairy Company of "which he was the first chairman, and other district organisations and local bodies.

The hall was filled with a representative muster from all parts of the district and Mr and Mrs Sumner were accorded a warm hearted reception as they entered, Mrs Sumner being the recipient of a bouquet at the hands of little Colleen Boon. Mr McCracken's Remarks.

The chairman of directors of the Rangitaiki Dairy Company, Mr W. A. McCracken, who presided, said he represented the suppliers, many of whom were unable to be present owing to harvesting and other seasonal operations. Those present however had gathered, to show theii esteem of Mr Sumner's loyal service in the welfare of the district. As the first chairman of the Rangitaiki Company, he had headed an organisation which was launched precariously with only thirteen suppliers for the manufacture of cheese. In the first year the production was 5S tons and the pryout £3221, For four years the manufacture of cheesc continued' though, in the fourth year there was actually less made than in the initial year. Thus it came about that it was decided to make the change over to butter and this was the turning point, the eompanj- having never looked back since Amazing Expansion. So great was the expansion of the new company that the directorate was forced to lool: for other avenues av hereby I hey could increase their manufacturing capacity. In 1922-23 therefore it was decided to centralise at Edgecumbe and in the following year no k'ss than 7(hi lons of butter were handled. The growth at this period was absolutely phenomenal and year after year continued to show rising figures. It was largely 'o Mr Sumner's initiative and guidance that the company showed this remarkable growth, ant! speaking of the figures of to-day he was proud to recall the record ot 1937-38 when production figures totalled 4832 tons and the payout was over half a million.

Departmental Work. The speaker touched on the Veterinary service which was carried bjr the companj r and which he said had been largely inaugurated by Mr Sumner. The worl. in this connection was the envy of other companies and carried a vital interest foxsuppliers. He referred also to the pig farm, and the trading department which last year had handled a turnover of £110,000. Alii these Had grown from small things of which their guest had been the originator. Thus with the Silver Jubilee of the company in view it was meet that the sei vices of Mr Sumner should be recognised on the eve of his partial retirement. Presenting him. with the illuminated address and a cheque, Mr McCracken said he trusted both Mr and Sumner would continue to enjoy quietude and happiness. Other Speakers Speaking for the Harbour Board Mr W. Boon said it was impossible lor the district to have had a better representative than Mr Sumner and he was sorry that he had decided not to seek re-election. The affairs of the board had been well and capably attended to and all members held their chairman in the highest esteem. For the Opouriao Dairy Company Mr Richardson said it was with admiration, that they had watched the growth of the Rangitaiki venture. Their relations however had

been of the fi iondliest and he too joined in wistiing their guests happiness and contentment.

Mr L. Buddie for the Hospital Board said that Mr Sumner became a member in October 1920 and in 19:J4 was elected chairman holding the position to-day. During his term of membership he had missed only one meeting, and that through illness. All,members of the board and the staff regarded him with affection and esteem. He also paid tribute to Mrs Sumner to whom they avcre all grateful for having made it possible for her husband to serve the district. Power Board and Ratepayers. Mr Burrett chairman of the Power Board spoke of the quick spirit; of co-operation which Mr Sumner had always displayed, and the honesty of purpose Avith Avhich he pursued his work on the board. He joined his good wishes with the rest. Tlie next speaker Mr F. J. Reynolds defied convention by jovially skipping over the shortcomings of the Ratepayers Association, and cap-

ping it oil: by kissing Mrs Sumner before the startled assembly. MiReynolds said lie Avould hate to say anything that Avould make 'this young fellow' conceited but though the dairy company might know him as the G.O.C. they hadn't the remotest idea of his Avork in connection Avitlx the Ratepayers Association. There had been no election since the first, when Mr Sumner was appointed chairman and in spite of trips to Wellington contacting every Prime Minister since Air Massoy, they had ncA'er had the rates reduced. He sketched briefly and spiritedly the operations of the drainage work and concluded by adding his tribute. Ex-Pupil's Testimony. Mr P. Wool Held, of Waimana, an ex-pupil of Mr Sumner's during his; headmastership of the Papatoctoe school fifty years ago said he Avas proud to be present and. related early incidents of his kindliness and interest in the children. Mr R. W. Sehofield, chairman of the Chamber oi: Commerce, spoke for the citizens of Whakatane, in view of the Mayor's absence. He recalled also that his Avife had been a pupil of Mr Sumner's during his teaching days at Tamaki near Auckland . Mr Sumner's Response. "[ have to express my deep thanks and appreciation l'or the gesture which the members of the Rangitaiki Dairy Company have promoted," said Mr Sumner in response, "and I desire tc say that without the help of my good wife it would not haA 7 c been possible to carry on in the manner I have oA 7 er the fiftyseven years of our married iifc." He related the early movement for the establishment! of the dairy company and the careful work of exploration Avhich had to be undertaken before a decision Avas reached to form a company. Visits Avere made to the Oponriao and the Waimana factories which in those days Avere regarded as the parent establishments and twelve months after the first meeting it was decided to build at Awaken. The first secretary was Mr L. Buddie and the first manager Mr Knight from the Old Country. From the commencement he Avas glad to be able to say he had had the utmost co-operation from all connected Avith the company. A Building ai Edgecumbe. The decision to move the factory to a more central position, at Edgecumbe, met Avith a certain amount of opposition farmers claiming that farms in the immediate vicinity declined in value as much as £5 per acre. When the shift A\ 7 as ultimately made some Avere so incensed that they dropped out as suppliers, but most of them had come back later. Ten acres had been purchased but it was found that there Avas not sufficient drainage so five further acres on the present site Avere acquired at the same price (£SO per acre) and the new factory built. The original area Avas ultimately disposed of for ,£IOO per acre.

Directors and Officers. The company had been fortunate in the men on its directorate, all of whom had taken the greatest interest in its progress. Again they had had a wonderful lot of men as secretaries, Messrs Buddie, Garaway, Prideaux, Eccles and Blair. All were men of ability and insight. Instancing the growth of. the factory, he ; said that in.) 1924 representatives of the Auckland Chamber of Commerce had visited the district

and he had been asked how long he anticijiated it would take the turnover to double. He had replied that in his opinion it would take live years. Actually four years later it had doubled. One thing they had planned in the earlier days, which had not as yet been realised was the setting up of district cheese factories, five or six of them with a large central butter factory. Thanks and Appreciation. Mr Sumner in conclusion said that lie Avould not have resigned had lie not been ordered to do so on doctor's advice. He would miss the life, but realised Uiat he had to curtail his efforts in the interests of his health. Already he seemed at a loss even after the few months following his resignation but hoped to be still able to take an interest in the company's welfare. He trusted that next year would be another record and once again thanked all who had been associated with the gathering in any way. (Applause). At the invitation of the chairman, all present partook of afternoon tea, which was,,.served by the ladies and much enjoyed. The gathering finally dispersed after rendering musical honours for Mr and Mrs Sumner, and singing Auld Lang Syne.