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Hokitika Guardian, 30 September 1930, Page 4

The annual meeting of the Arahura Dary Factory Coy. Ltd. on Saturday wns a gatlierins of more importance than usual, seeing that 'it marked the y'fvth birthday of the local institution. Many will recall the interest taken in the establishment of the institution, and w'U be glad to know that over tho years it has continued to flourish and occupies to-day a very satisfactory financial position. The Arahura factory was an institution o r small beginnings—so jsmall that the experts called in to advise weie doubtful if it could make good. At the outset there was the suggestion it should form part of a greater Coast scheme centralised at Dreymouth, and this rivalry seemed to create (special' interest in the birth of the company. It is due to the business people of Hokitika to 'Say that when they thought their preserves were in danger of encroachment, they rose immediately and there was no difficulty about, the initial finance. Since its inception, the factory has never looked back. It has enjoyed continuity in its management, and results speak for the success of that management. Although the district is a limited one, it is a united one, and the settlers were prepared to make the most of the opportunity when they took up dairying instead of the small mixed farming which prevailed previously. The product of the Arahura Valley has stood high always, ..and the ,past season, in the face of falling prices, has been no exception. The quality of the article produced has stood the test of outside competition and came through with flying colours, winning the coveted gold medal. Achievements such as these show the all round excellence of the management. The settlers deserve credit for the way they have cleared up their holdings, and the results from their small areas. The settlement is a limited one in area, but the quality of the. land is good, and with more intensive cultivation they are getting more and more out of it. The Valiev produced about one hundred tons of butter last season, and promises to do better this year. This is the proper trend o? good settlement, and speaks well for the enthusiasm and all round interest of the settlers in their work. In congratulating the Company on its years of useful life, we feel that much that was paid at the outset of the prospects ahead have come to pass. \Yc hope the same good, fortune will continue, and under a continuance of the careful and capable management, the Valley will continue to flourish

as a shining example of the success of co-operative settlement where all work in a good community spirit.