MOTU BUTTER FACTORY.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 919, 18 June 1903, Page 3

MOTU BUTTER FACTORY.

.GUARANTEE SIGNED

FACTORY AND (JRKA.MERY TO Hi-; RRKCTKD. (By Our Travelling Representative.) A largely-attended meeting of .settlers was held at Motu last Saturday, to consider the advisability of the erection of a creamery on the Messrs Bridge Bros.’ property,Mol u, the creamery to work in conjunction With Ihe .Motu factory. .Mr Richardson was voted to the chair, and briefly explained the object of the meeting. He then called on .Mr ilickford to address the meet-

Mr liiekford said that most, i/ not all, of those, present were aware that he had made an active canvass oi the Motu district, to ascertain what support would he accorded the ereeUon of a factory. In no lie had secured from the settlers residing in the northern end of i lie district a Ktiarant.ee oi' £1 in, whieii was to the distinct credit of those guarantors who had come to ins assistance. On canvassing the southern portion of the district, however, he met with numerous difficult ics,which lie had endeavored to overcome. One in particular was the very long distance settlers would he required to convey their milk to the factory. 1,, fact, taking the distance into consideration, it was unfair to seek suppliers so far afield, and the settlers themselves were not. inclined to emhark in the industry under the circumstances. However, hi? had

received a request from those settlers that, a small creamery should he erected in their midst,, ami tney would do their best to support the creamery. lie accordingly conferred with .Mr McGregor, and that gentleman had decided to accede to the request under certain conditions which were very liberal. It was for this meeting to decide what steps should he taken, and he hoped tney would arrive at a definite decision. As time was fast hurrying on and the milking season approaching, there was no time to lose. He was

prepared to answer any questions which were put to him on the subject,.

■lr Bridge : If the ereamciy is ered, will Mr McGregor require a

larger guarantee ? Mr Iliekford : Certainly not, ; but lie will expect a larger output. Mr Bridge : There may be a little difficulty in obtaining the services of a milk-supplier qualified to run the creamery, and where would tie a likely site for the creamery ? Mr Iliekford: r have suggested 1,0 Mr McGregor that Mr Bridge’s or Mr Hayes’s property would he most central. Almost any supplier with a little knowledge could run

(lie creamery. Mr iVlortenson : I think Mr Hayes’ property most suitable, as that site would draw Messrs Thompson’s 1 fade. Mr Fisher : What number of cows will Mr J. Thompson guarantee 7

Air Mortcnsen : He will neither milk nor guarantee, but, is prepared to lease both cows and land to persons for milking. Mr Hiekford : i am pleased to hear of promises of support, but I am not prepared to give serious considera-

tion to such. We shall deal with guarantors only in (lie erection of tie creamery. In any case, the distance to Mr Bridge’s from Mr Thompson’s would not lie more than a mile past Mr Hayes’. Personally I favor Mr Bridge’s locality, but it is for this meeting to decide the most suitable site.

Mr Bridge : In most factories which are run on co-operative lines, the shareholders and milk-suppliers who arc not shareholders do not receive the same price for their butterrat. How does Mr McGregor purpose dealing with those suppliers who are not guarantors ? Mr Iliekford : This is a matter 1 have not brought under Mr McGregor’s notice, but in looking over his correspondence to me lie distinctly states, “ The suppliers shall sign a guarantee.” Mr Bolton : It would be unfair to Hie guarantors were non-guarantors admitted as suppliers and receive the same rate of pay for their milk. Air Hiekford : I quite agree with Mr Bolton, and promise that this matter shall have special attention. Mr Bridge : I should like an explanation of clauses four and nine in the agreement ; they seem to tie conflicting.

Mr Iliekford : When being read together they do appear to contradict each other ; but if read separately, ami properly applied, .such is not the ease.

After Mr Hiekford had read and explained the working of the clauses, the meeting was quite satisfied. Mr Bolton : But clause nine stipulates that tlie milking and supply-

ing lo factory must, commence on November Ist. If the cows are not

in profit, are suppliers liable to the penalty mentioned in clause four ? Mr Hick ford : Clause nine stipulates that the milking season opens cm November Ist, but if only a certain number of the cows guaranteed are in profit, then their supply must be sent to the factory, and await the calving of the remainder of the herd. Neither factory proprietor nor supplier can compel a cow lo come into profit at a certain date. Under these circumstances, tlie agreement would not he. broken. Mr Fischer : I take exception to part of clause four, and require an explanation, re not. being allowed to

make butter for home use. Mr I rick ford : Clause four does not apply to any supplier making butter for his private use, providing be has not sufficient milk to send to the factory—say very early or late in the milking season. I think the meeting is getting away from the subject somewhat. My object tonight is to ascertain what support is forthcoming towards the erection of a creamery, and 1 notice that atlir ad my endeavors to aiouse interest in this connection, there are only

two representatives present of the ({'strict in question. Wluit 1 want is a decided answer; guarantee or no guarantee? is what r am working f nr ]( is high time, we got to bu.iine.ss, as the milking season is fast approaching. Mr Bridge : As there are only two Wliakarau representatives present. ami we all 'agree that there is not much time to be lost, between now ami next season, 1 would suggest, with Mr llieklord’s consent that the meeting adjourn until next Monday evening, at my residence, where 1 would make it my personal business to invite everv Wliakarau settler. Mr Hick ford': I am quite prepared t„ meet the Wliakarau settlers at. MiBridge's, and to meet them oil nil possible grounds ; but 1 am full} determined to have a decided answer within a iew days concerning the support to the creamery. 1 here has been no need ior (his amount 01 harassing and unnecessary delay, as the offer from .Mr McGregor is a maguilicenl one, and one that 1C Motu settlers will never have reAfter a vole of thanks to tlie chair flic meeting adjourned until Won-

WIIAKARAU MINTING. The 1 adjourned meeting of settlers was held at Whakarau on Monday even ins. There was a full attendance, 'and the meeting was enthusiastic, sometimes even joeulai. Mr Hiehardson occupied the cnair. Mr Ilickford addressed the settlers on the proposed establishment of a creamery, and immediately after a list of guarantors was taken, winch showed, at a low estimate, that there were far more cows coining forward than required by the guaianfors. Mr 1 lickford then got the necessary guarantors to sign their respective, documents. All that temains now is for Mr McGregor to erect both factory and creamery. Jlr McGregor is to bo congratulate

cd fin having secured the assistance, in the shape or guarantors, of every settler from the commencement of Motu bush to four miles beyond the aieommodat ion house. All this area will within a very shurt. tune lie a flourishing dairying district.