WESTLAND COOL STORAGE & DAIRY COY LTD

Hokitika Guardian, 21 December 1927, Page 4

WESTLAND COOL STORAGE & DAIRY COY LTD

ANN UAL AIEE'ITNG. The annual meeting of shareholders of the above Company was held at the office of the Company, AA'eld Street, at II o’clock yesterday. ATr AV. A. Jamieson, Chairman of Directors, presided. After disposing of the formal business, the Chairman’s report (already published) and the statement of accounts were received and considered. The Afanaging-Direetor. Mr H. T. Parry, supplied full details of the receipts and expenditure, together with a general statement of tlm Company's financial position. All information desired was forthcoming, and the statements were received and adopted nem. con., the directors present all expressing favourable opinions on the year’s work.

Tn moving the adoption of the report. the Chairman spoke of the .success achieved during the year, despite the uphill work to wipe off a deficit on exports. He thought the suppliers could look forward to a very good year. Prices had hardened, and the output had increased. AVhile

prices were not likely to soar to a high figure, suppliers could meet the position largely hv their own efforts in obtaining greater production. This could come by greater attention to the soil. Top-d'-ossing and manuring and draining would always be helpful to that end. It would appear that the marked increase in production in the North Island was due largely to topdressing. Another factor in that part of ilie Dominion also, was the practice of centralisation to keep down manufacturing costs. AVith so fine a. factory as was here, centralisation was easily possible for AYertlapd, and

would mean at a low estimate Lid additional butter fat. without increasing the cost to the consumer. The saving of overhead charges which could he made would ensure the increase in value for the settler’s output which ho had named. Mr Jamieson went on to congratulate the Manager for the excellence of i'ne butter produced; also for the steady improvement in the factory and plant, and generally for the interest and care- shown in the welfare of the Company. The work of the staff generally was likewise appreciated, and suppliers thanked for their continued support to tile Company. The consumption of AY os tl and Factory butter in Hokitika, strange to say. was not what it should he. The good people for once were not supporting a local industry, which seemed rather strange seeing that the Factory here had in many ways been such a convenience to the town. 'The people were glad to avail themselves of cream and ire which wore not procurable hitherto, hut the local support almost stopped at that, and it seemed a matter for comment on such an occasion. It seemed raiher surprising that this commodity was son if chiefly to oilier Coast towns and throughout the Dominion. AVhile there was nil the demand the Company could meet in that respect. il would he some little encouragement to lh(' Directors, who conducted the Factory they all should he proud 01, to see more town support forthcoming. Mr I’a rry acknowledged the vote ol thanks and appreciation, and said that personally as a shareholder in the venture, he was quite satisfied with the outlook. As the pioneer of the undertaking ho had every reason to he gratified with the Company’s prospects, and thanked the Directors for their co-oneratioii and the supplicrs for their support. He had given the suppliers all the assistance and encouragement, he could, and the Company gave lice carriage of goods and oilier services which must he ol special value to suppliers. The year's work luid been satisinctory in the ligV of tie deficit- which had to he mot. and he looked forw arc! to a much

better season this year. Their output was increasing, and the demand for their butter was well sustained, and he anticipated a good bonus would be available at the end of the year.

Other Directors endorsed the general remarks of the previous speakers, the opinion being that the Company was now so well established in business and reputation that the future bold improving prospects, season by season, and with the ultimate arrival of centralisation the suppliers throughout Westland would reap a decided benefit as soon as they eared to unite and work in close co-operation now that motor transport had demonstrated what could he clone in bringing in supplies from the most distant parts to a central factory. Directors were elected as follows: Messrs W. A. Jamieson (subsequently re-elected Chairman), R. A. Harcourt. A. Diinin.ck, .T. J. Mclntosh, D. J. Evans, J. B. Douglas, B. Moynihan, 11. T. Parry .and E. A. Kirby. Messrs J. W. Morris and J. Peake were re-elected auditors.

In closing the meeting die Chairman extended to those present and all connected with the Company and its running, tho compliments of the season