MUNICIPAL MILK

Dominion, Volume 13, Issue 276, 16 August 1920, Page 6

MUNICIPAL MILK

"A MOST UNIQUE REPORT" HIGHEST PRICES EVER GIVEN FOR MILK In his first annual report of the working of tho Wellington Municipal Milk Department, the acting-manager (Mr. H. A. Ward) states:— In furnishing this, the first annual report, I may remark that in many respects it is the most unique report that has ever been presented to a city council, it being tho first report of any city in tho world, that has a complete monopoly of its milk supply. "Qiaality of Milk—lt is the first time that any city can say that the whole of its milk supply (with the exception of a small percentage which has been supplied by. a fow dairies within the city and its immediate vicinity), that every gallon of nn'lk has been examined, pasteurised, and held under the very best of conditions, until delivered to the consumer.

"The quality of the milk has been very closely watched by the Health Department, and over 200 snniples have been taken from the milk station before delivering to the vendors, not ono of which has been below standard.

"Milk Supplies—Owing to the abnormally dry autumn, the aormal supplies fell very considerably, and supplies had to be obtained from Featherston early in Mhrcli, quite six weeks .earlier than usual. The dry autumn, together with the high prices obtained for cheese and butter-making purposes, caused a very short supply during the winter, the supplies being approximately one-third less than the requirements. Although thas shortage caused a great deal of inconvenience, yet tho citizens as a wholo were better supplied thah in former years, owing to the fact that the shortage was dealt with proportionately, which was very much appreciated oy the poorer portion of tho community, inasmuch that as far as was possible my department insisted upon every household being treated alike.. . "Price.—The price received'by the farmer was an average of 13.43 d. per gallon, the highest price that has as yet .been paid for milk supplied to the city, and had it not been for the policy of charging a flat price of- 6d. per nuart to tho householder, the price to the consumer under the old conditions would have been at least Id. or probably 2d. per quart more. , 1' « , "Quantity—The total number of gallons purchased was 1,543,295 gallons; 1,488,272 gallons were sold as fresh milk; 15,288 gallons (1 per cent.) were condemned as being under standard or adulterated. and was separated; 39,791 gallons represent tho loss incurred in pasteurisation, spillage, etc., the percentage . of pasteurisation, and. spillage losses being 2.57 per cent. "Cream—Eeceived, 10,077 gallons; sold (sweet), 12,972 gallons; sold (8.F.), 3427— sent to Raliui. Surplus, 322 gallons, obtained bv standardising. , . "Handling.—The work ontaited in handling a daily supply of approximately 4500 gallons is very considerable. 12/1400 cans are washed daily, making a total of over half a million cans washed per year. The weight of these cans. is about ten tons, and emptying, washing, and filling of same entails each can being handled at least five . times, the total weight of cans alone being approximately fifty tons. The weight of tho milk handled is approximately twenty tons. As this is handled at loast four - times, eighty' tons weight of milk is handled, making a total of 130 tons weight per day, or approximately 50,000 tons per year. The installation of tho automatic can washer, which has proved jui unqualified success, has considerably minimised the handling of tho cans. It has effected a saving of labour, and what is of more importance, lias to some extent improved the conditions of tho milk, for the reason that each can is washed in clean water and sterilised, a condition that could not obtain under the hand-cashing method.

"Transit.— I Tho motor lorry scrvice, fallen 011 tho whole, has proved satisfactory. During the winter months, owing to there being no Sunday trains, tho cost of transit was very great, as the wholo of the milk required for Monday's supply was motor borne from as far north as Levin on the Manawatu line, and Feathorston 011 tho Wairarapa line, and on ono or two occasions as many as throe lorries failed to reach the milk station. Tho motor drivers deserve every credit for putting forth their best endeavours under extremely trying cicumstances, as regards' almost impassable roads and rough weather, to deliver the milk here so that the citizens of Wellington could bo supplied as far as possible with their daily milk 6upply.

"Rahui Factory.—The acquiring of 'the Kalnii co-operative cheese itatory at Otaki lias proved to bo of great benefit, very extensive alterations and additions to tho building and the installing of a refrigeration and churning plant have been effected, and tho manufacture of cheese, butter, separator for sweet cream, pasteuriser for same, and the chilling of milk, can all be undertaken, and this factory is now one of tho best, if not tlio best, equipped factory in the Dominion. "The total number of gallons received was 41)6,031 —310,518 of which were used as town milk, 30-1G gallons of cream used as sweet cream,' 82.1611b. of cheese and 3'2,oGGlb. of butter were made, the average butter-fat test being 1.012'. "Finance.—The loss, as shown by the balance-shcot, as against aji estimated profit, is due principally to the following causes:—

1. ihe estimated average price for milk was 12.50 d. per gallon. Tho actual pneo paid was 13.13 d. per gallop; ,93d per gallon—.£sß9o.

"2. The first three months of the year under review the blocking system was not in force, and a sum 'of ',£3OOO was allowed to the vendor that would not have been obtained under the blocking system. ,-

'3. Not being able to use for town supply milk from Eahui during tho low test period, when milk from Eahui was cheaper than nearby milk. "1. Although the estimate of 3.50 d. for working expenses was not exceeded, the actual working expenses boing 3.13 d., there would have been a further decrease had it not been for tho very heavy freight charges incurred owing to Sunday motor lorry transit, the increase in wajes and coal. "General.—There is no business that is so subject to varying conditions as tho milk business. The Quantities vary from day to day, owing to weather conditions—a strong southerly will make a difference of 10 per cent, (approximately dOO gallons) in one day. Transit breakdowns, non-delivery of cans by Itailway Department to farmers, an unexpected demand from consumers. (Provision has been made for 300 gallons of cream for week-end use, the usual demand, and owing to adverse weather only 150 gallons have been received.) The condition and quality of the milk also varies. This applies especially during the winter months, a rise of 20 to 25 degrees in temperature lias been recorded within 21 hours. There is np business that entails such ceaseless watchfulness and unremitting attention; it never stops. All tho members of the staff have U6cd every endeavour to make the scheme a success."