VALEDICTORY.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4520, 26 January 1923, Page 2

VALEDICTORY.

DAIRY CO.’S SUPERINTENDENT. On the occasion of his departure for England on six months' leave of absence, Mr W. Y. Kirkman, Superintendent of Factories of the N.Z. Cooperative Dairy Co., Ltd., was tendered a complimentary dinner by the factory managers, and members of the executive staff. Mr W. Goodfellow, managing director, presided over an attendance of over 70* > In asking Mr Kirkman to accept their best wishes for a healthful holiday, together with the more tangible ’tokens of esteem represented by a handsome gold- watch, travelling rug, and a travelling bag, Mr Goodfellow paid a tribute to the work done by *Mr Kirkman >for the company since the amalgamation -three years ago. He had now attained the highest position in his line in Australasia, and. he was recognised both in the business and out. of it as one of t'he ablest men of his type in the industry.- Since the amalgamation the quality of the products manufactured had increased enormously, so that they had now well-nigh attained perfection in the manufacture not only of bitter, but also of dried milk and casein. The company’s organisation was 100 per cent, more efficient now than, at the amalgamation, and the benefits of this would be amply repaid to the suppliers now and in the future. He took off his hat to these factory managers who were grading 94„ 94'%, and 95 ; but naturally the major portion of the credit of this' was due to Mr Kirkman. He would say without hesitation that Mr Kirkman was the right man in the right place. At the time of the amalgamation Mr Kirkman asked .that as soon as he could be spared he should be given six months’ leave of absence, but it was not until now that the directors' felt that he could really be spared. They now wished him the best of holdiays.

In reply, Mr Kirkman expressed his very deep appreciation of the presentation made him. His interests were wholly concerned in the improvement of the industry. Up to the end of December the company had manufactured 12,454 : tons of butter, and it was expected that the make for January would .total 2800 tons, so that by the end of May the total manufacture would probably be between 21,000 and 22,000 tons of butter. He agreed with Mr Goodfellow that the gains made since the amalgamation were wonderful, but the point now was to conserve and maintain theposition that, had been won, and so improve the general status of the industry. It was 23 years since he arrived in this country, and naturally he was desirous; of seeing the Old Country and his relatives agajn, but he felt satisfied that he would return to New Zealand and be satisfied to remain in it.