DAIRY GO’S ENTERPRISE.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4588, 20 July 1923, Page 2

DAIRY GO’S ENTERPRISE.

PROFITABLE INVESTMENTS. COAL MINE BEST VENTURE. Although the notices inviting shareholders of the New Zealand Cooperative Company to visit the company’s coal mine at Glen Afton tn the 25th inst., when special trains will be run to Huntly, have not yet been fully issued;, over 500 applications for tickets have already been made, and it is anticipated that over 1000 shareholders will make the in spection. Luncheon will be provided at Huntly, after which the visitors will be conveyed by special trains to the mine away in the hills beyond Pukemiro.

The company ,is very prcud of its latest venture, which, promises to be the best investment it has yet made. Ip addressing a meeting of cream suppliers at Waitoa on Wednesday Mr A. J. Sinclair, assistant general manager,, said.the company’s box factory ahd coal, mine were described by opponents as the company’s t.wo white elephants, but the speaker said they were very .useful and profitable additions to the company’s menagerie. On the first year’s operations at the box "actory the company had saved £25,000, while last year the boxes were turned out, at Is' 8d each,, as against 2s for the previous year, thus resulting ip a further saving of £20,5000. For the two yeans, therefore, they had saved £45,000 by making their own boxes and cheese crates, which was not a bad proposition when they considered that the factory, plant, and land cost them only, £35,000. (Applause.) - ■ Referring to the coal mine, Mr Sinclair said that the box factory not to be compared as a profitable investment with that of the company's mine. The field was expected o yield, according to the estimates of experts, 15, tons. He submitted figures showing the cost of produe< tic® at the company’s mine, compared with prices previously paid. When they considered that ,their -factories used a very large quantity of coal yearly the fuel bill on this item alone would be cut down by about half. In' addition to this a special and very ■ substantial rebate would be mads; every six months to shareliolders who bought the company’s coal,' which would be put on the market at the current rates. rhe meeting—expressed gratification ■•with* Mr Sinclair’s statement, and accorded him a hearty vote of thanks.