OPUNAKE DAIRY COMPANY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 5 August 1924, Page 8

OPUNAKE DAIRY COMPANY.

ANNUAL MEETING OF SHAREHOLDERS. The twenty-fifth, annual general meeting of shareholders of the Opunake Co-operative Dairy Company was held in the Town Hall on Saturday. Mr D. D. O’Sullivan, chairman of directors, presided over a large attendance. The annual report of the outgoing directors was as follows: — In presenting the twenty-fifth annual report and balance-sheet, your directors have pleasure in congratulating shareholders on the success of the reason's working. The realisation of produce unsold at the last annual balance date netted considerably in excess of the estimate, and final disbursements to suppliers brought the average pa\ment for the 1922-*# season to Is -I.OSd per lb butter-fat. Rutter manufactured during the past season has now been disposed of. with the exception of one small consignment. The available balance, phis payments already advanced to suppliers, represents a total advance on butter-fat over the season of Is 6.26 d. Information recently to rand leads us to expect further payments on account of casein. Receipts Irma this source will be in addition to the balance now shown as available. The results of casein manufacture have shown a considerable improvement. A total of 70 tons 4ewt oolb dry casein was made, 1.7 per cent, of which was second grade, against 24.43 per cent, of second grade during the previous season. In view of the very hot summer experienced, and the interruptions in railway transport, the result must be considered highly satisfactory. Repairs and renewals have again proved heavy items. The purchase of modern plant, which was installed during the season, has materially assisted ;in the improved results obtained. Your directors have also had' installed during the recess still further replacements in modern machinery, and confidently look forward to still better results in the future. With a view to easing the burden on supplying shareholders, it has been decided to extend the charge of the replacements mentioned over a period of three seasons’ working. You will be called on to elect seven directors. You will also be called on to elect an auditor and fix his remuneration. Mr H. J. Newman again offers

Statistics attached to the report were his services, as fallows:—

1922- —lbs milk reecived, 8;410,997 ; lbs butter-fat, 321,263.6; Lbs butter manufactured, 372,637 ; over-run, 15.99; average test, 3.81; average grade, 9.93. 1923- —lbs milk received, 8,275,200; lbs butter-fat, 314,979.3; lbs butter manufactured, 372,587; over-run, 18.28; average test, 3.806; average grade, 92.29. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the chairman congratulated suppliers on the success of the year’s working and paid a tribute, to the manager and staff for their successful enedavouir to promote the best interests of the company. During the year it- had been proposed to replace the -old separators with a- modern type, and this decision had been justified by the results shown in the comparative statistics attached to the report. The additional modern plant was installed during the recess, consisting of a Topliss combined churn and butter worker, direct expansion cream vat, and direct expansion combined cream cooler would bring the plant right up to date and enable the manager and staff to still further improve the quality of the produce. It was, he said, particularly gratifying to find the marked improvement in the results of casein curd manufactured. It was now ascertained that substantial further payments from this source could be expected, which it was estimated would enable this company to finally pay to suppliers about Is over the season. He said that the prices received for butter sold on concignment- had been highly satisfactory. A comparison of results obtained for much higher graded butter showed a substantial margin in favour of Opunake. The credit for this could, he said, he at-

tributed either to the company’s manager or the firm handling the consignments, or, perhaps, shared Ly both. It had been decided to again place the consignments for the coming season with Messrs Weddels, the directors reserving the right to effect forward sales if desired. He said that it was most pleasing to find that the butter sold at Home had . been distributed over a wide area, much of it beiig sold in the northern counties of England, and several quantities went to Ireland. The cartage contract entered into for the coming season showed a considerable reduction in rates previously paid, and provision had also been made therein for the inward cartage of suppliers’ requirements. In reasonable quantities these would he delivered direct to the farms, and should be a big factor in enabling suppliers to secure at more reasonable rates the much-needed fertilisers for their lands. He appealed to suppliers to make more use of the office, as by buying in large quantities substantial rebates on several farmers’ requirements could be obtained, and they would find that the secretary would at all times be pleased to (render them assistance. In conclusion, he expressed thanks to all who had assisted in the year’s work. The motion was seconded by Mr E. Carter, end after a brief discussion was passed unanimously.

The election of officers resulted in the return of the outgoing directors, as follows:—Creamery director, Mr W. Hickey; six other directors. Messrs D. D. O’Sullivan, W. L. E. Chambers, Morto Hickey, E. G. Baylis, S. J, Hickey, and C. J. Griffiths. Mr H. Newman was unanimously elected auditor at a fee of £ls 15s. An honorarium of £SO was voted to the outgoing chairman. The manager, Mr W. 0. Webby, was voted a bonus of £25, and bonuses of £2O to the creamery manager and £5 to the buttermaker were- also granted. A recommendation to commence casein curd manufacture on September 1 was adopted. In conclusion, the chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks to the staff, making special reference to the arduous year's work performed by the manager, of the assistance to the chairman invariably (received from the secretary.

At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr J>. D. O’Sullivan was re-elected chairman.