KIA-ORA DAIRY FACTORY

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1028, 22 October 1903, Page 3

KIA-ORA DAIRY FACTORY

TEE ANNUAL MEETING. ft good attendance of share holders at the annual meeting of tho KiaOaa Co-operative Dairy Company. Mr W. Acland Hood (Chairman of Directors) Import and balance ohept (already published in the Times) was presented. The Chairman moved the adoption of tho report, and in doing so adduced some interesting figures relative to tho working of the company from January Ist to Aug. 81 1903 The number of pounds of mills received’were 2,716,244; lbs of butter fat paia for, 118,528 ; lbs of butter made, 126 948; lbs of butter fat to make ,11b oi butter, TO7; lbs of milk to make lib of butter, 21-39 ; overage test, 4-36 ; overrun, 7'l; total amount paid for butter fat, £4363 17s 9d; average price of butter sold, 10'38d; cost of manufacturing and expenditure per lb, 2.59 d; average price paid for butter fat, 8 93d; number of shareholders, 92. Tho price of butter fat at other factories in the colony was—Apifi B'o2, Ballance 9'35, Midhurst 9 085, Rata 8-7.5, EUham 10, Stratford 9 01, Thames go. Nprmanby 8-826. The tosts woro— Sailance 3'87, Hakarau 3’B, Rata 4-12, Normanby 3-71. Normanby’s cost of manufacture was 2-72, It would bo seen that the prices paid by Kia-Ora factory compared favorably with other factories which had been going much longer. The quantity of milk supplied at tho factory and creameries was Factory, 1,032,539 lbs of milk delivered, average test'4.39; Ormond 506,531 and 4-26, Waorenga aKika 394,427 and 4-28, Gisborne 292,775 and 4-49, Karaka 291,242 and 4 31, Arai 170,408 and 4-54, Patutahi 28,302 and <PIS ; total. 2,716,224.

During the period from January to August the following were the highest test, lowest test, and price obtained each month :—January, higuest test 5 3, lowest test 3'6, price Biu ; February, 5'5, 30, and B£d ; March 5 9, 3-4, and Sid ; April, 6-1, 3-7, and 81d.; May, 6'3. 3.6, and 9d ; June, 7 4, 3 5, and lOd ; July, 6 3, 3'6, and 10 d ; August, 5'5, 3'4, and lOd. During the eight months the factory had been in operation they had paid out £6OO to shareholders more than would have boon ro- | ceived by them if the lactory had con--1 tinued as a proprietary concern. Over £4363 had been paid out, and though they I were landed with a deficit of £144 everything was working satisfactorily under the circumstances. The factory had been

taken over at short notice, with a severe drought coming on, and there had been a slump in the London market. To come out so well as they did was eminently satisfactory, and he could honestly conI gratulato shareholders. Ho would not suggest that it he a precedent for other balance sheets. It was necessary to make provision for writing off plant and making those reserves which ordinary business prudence would suggest to shareholders. The results placed bofore them would show the value of tho factory of which they I were tho happy possessors, and encourage shareholders to do their best to make a thorough success of it. Ho was sure shareholders would not want the directors to pay out to the last farthiug, but rather help I to place the factory in a sound financial condition. They would not destroy the ship for a ha’-porth of tax. They bad had I tho advantage of Mr Caddie, the Government expert, to give them suggestions, I and tho good results achieved this year should be exceeded the next season. They I wore entering upon a year which had I every prospect of being a good one, and everyone of the creameries was giving as good returns io October as in tho flush of last year. There would also bo considerably less cost of manufacture, and they I would be making the most tho factory was capable of in a few months. One import--1 ant thing was that tho factory must be supplied with the very best of sound, I pure, sweet milk, which was obtained by attention and cleanliness. Then it was important to have a large output, and 1 shareholders should assist the directors . I by seeing that tho factory had a regular ! supply. In July last year their cheques 1 had corno down low, and tho Chairman ! was certain this was prevontible. In a largo portion of tho district winter dairying could not be kept up. There was always a pinch at the latter part of summer, and this could be provided for by putting in barley and maize and making green ensilage of those crops. By which means they could get a further two or three months’ milk. Then they would not have a man with £25 cheques coming down to £l4 to £ls. When a cow got in poor condition even when the feed came on she did J I not increase in quality. A diminution in tho supply affected the factory, as the cost of manufacture would thus increase. The I Chairman urged the necessity of keeping up a regular supply, and a .copious one I throughout the season. With a little diffiI dence he would say a word about amalgamation. He would not have referred to the subject at all, but it was presented J ! perhaps as an issue before them. He was quite confident, as far as both companies I were concerned, febat they would do as '• well as other factories in the colony, but tho question was whether dairying in this district would not be a groat deal better I off if amalgamated. Separation meant ' the investment of £3OOO or £4OOO, which was an unnecessary outlay, and could very well be invested in a bacon factory. >• Separation meant £IOOO a year in increased cost of management, which cost was homo by the producer. Apart horn that, if the factories were united they would be able to extend into other domains, and would be able to supply themselves at a less cost, and perhaps supply milk to town, which would not be out of tho reach of a strong company on tho basis of a large monthly cheque. Tho Chairman said amalgamation was well worthy ot the attention of farmers, although ho knew it wu3 a difficult subject, which should Dot be pressed. In conclusion ho paid a tribute to tho staff who had worked so well during tho past year. Mr McGregor was invaluable to them, and they woro pleased with tho capable manner in which Mr " Clark had run tho factory. In Mr Coleman thoy had an indofatigiblo secretary—ho had done a great quantity of work for what was an inadequate salary, and the Chairman wished that iho funds of the Company would have enabled more to have been paid, but an increase should receivo tho early attention of the directois. Mr Malone seconded the motion, and the report was adopted. Tho Chairman invited questions, and none being asked, stated that Messrs Brooking and Malone were retiring directors. Mr Malone and Mr John Walkerhad been nominated to fill tho vacancies, and there being no others proposed he , declared these gentlemen duly elected, In ' Mr Malone they had an old and trusted friend. Mr Walker came from the West Coast, and had a wide experience which would be of assistance to the Board. _ Mr W- S. Lunn was re-elected auditor. The by-laws were brought up by the Chairman, and on his motion were taken as read. They wore adopted from those in force in one of the most successful dairy factories in the colony, Midbiisf, Their object was to place a general standaul of purity in regard to the milk, and he felt sure there would be no desire to enforce them harshly. It would prevent one or two spoiling the endeavors of tho majority, but as timo went on would raise the standard of the milk. Ho directed shareholders’ attention to. Rule <4, which toad as follows: “Shareholders shall be required to furnish tho whole of their milk to the factory or creamery until the close of the factory manufacturing season, except that which they require for home use ; failing which a sum equal to 10 per cent of the previous mouth shall be deducted from his or her milk-money for the milk furnished during the month prior to dato of ceasing supplying, unless ho or she shall first have obtained the consent of the directors to such discontinuance.” The Chairman pointed out the necessity for this by-law. Mr J. A. Caisar seconded the motion to adont the by-laws. In reply to Mr Fail-lie, the Secretary stated the bulk of the suppliers to the Gisborne creamery were shareholders. Mr Cttsar said their chairman deserved the greatest thanks for the care and attention he had given to working, up the factory. Mr Hood had travelled South and made himself thoroughly conversant with details, and shareholders were fortunate in having such a chairman. A hearty vote of thauks was accorded the chairman. Mr Hood, in responding, said it had been a pleasure to work for the company’s interests.