Manakau Go-operative Dairy Co

Horowhenua Chronicle, 12 September 1916, Page 3

Manakau Go-operative Dairy Co

— - FIRST ANNUAL EFFORT. . Following is the first annual report of the above, presented ut the first an~ nual meeting of shareholders, held recently at Mailikau : — In submitting the accounts of the first year's r.perations. your directors hare every confidence that the shareholders will be well satisfied with the result audi agree thixt the formation of the company to take over the cheese factory was a good business proposition. At no better period in the history of cherse-makins: in Xew Zealand could such a venture hlnvc been embarked upon. The property was negotiated ft;r before the high pricrs for building material and plant came into force, and this fact, together with the high selling prices for cheese, has enabled the suppliers to obtain a recordl price for their butter-fat. Cheese factories now being built will cost their shareholders a I least 30 per cent, more than would have been the case two years Ago. It is well known to all concerned that the factory was taken over from the Dairy Union at a valuation of £1550 on Ist .September last, Mr S. R. Mason being chiefly responsible for the fortunate (shareholders now being in possession of a very valuable assert. I fully equipped and under efficient management. On Mr Mason's resignation as chairman, Mr F. E. Burnell was elected in his place, and the directors, undier his guidance, have adopted a progressive policy and installed curd agitators, whey separating plant, and other improvements. which will enable still better results to show this coming season. The company has been fortunate in retaining the services of Air T). I?. Bathgate as manager, -and it is hoped that suppliers will co-opeinte with him in keeping up the standard of the "Black Swan" cheese, which has a well-estab-lished reputation both in "Xew Zealand and the Home markets. The quantity of cheese mhnufactured was 125 tons, 3D tons being sold to the Imperial Government, 73 shipped on open consignment through Messrs Mills and Sparrow, realising the splendlid average price of 96» .cross in London. ;aiul the balance sold locally. The suppliers holding shares htnve received a monthly advance of Is lid and a further payment has 'been made of 6d' per lb. for the ehersc-making season. This will compare, very f;ivniirhblv with any other cheese company o; similar capacity. Supplies of milk .vr cordially invited from farmers in tlu* district who are in a position to .send to the factory.