NETHERTON SUPPLIERS.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4742, 25 August 1924, Page 3

NETHERTON SUPPLIERS.

MEETING ON FRIDAY. FACTORY NOT TO BE REOPENED. The annual meeting of the suppliers of the Netherton cheese factory was held in the hall on Friday evening, Mr. J. A. Reid presiding over an attendance of twenty. Addresses on the lines of those at Shelly Beach were given by Mr Sinclair and Mr Dixon. Dealing with the local factory, Mr Sinclair said that the output showed a small increase over that of the previous year, when 208 tons were made. During the year 5,125,1911 b of milk had been received at an average test of 4.09. This test was the highest but one in any of the company’s factories, and had an effect on the yield and ratio, which were 10.0'3 and 2.57 respectively. Thfe ratio was below that usually, expected. The amount of cheese manufactured was 510.8021 b or 228 tons. Of this, £17,307 Ils 6d worth had been sold and about £1029 17s Id worth remained on hand. The whey cream recovery was 4.87 percent., and whey butte? sold realised £606 7s Bd. The average advance payment made was 16.05 d and the estimated bonus 1.69 d, bringing the total payout to 17.74 d. Discussing the profit and loss account of the Netherton factory Mr Sinclair pointed out the saving of £ll5 on the coal and £94 on the crates over that of the previous year. This (showed the benefits of the coalmine and the box factory. The cost of administration was £lll 19s 7d, and the cost of manufacture and delivery into the freezer £l2 17s 10d a ton. This was as Ipw as any of the company’s factories, and it was obvious that had the supply been kept up the Netherton factory would have had the biggest payout of any factory in the company’s territory. Owing to the large amount of Netherton cheese yet unsold and the improved tone of the London market, as evidenced by Mr J. B. Wright’s cables, it was probable that .the final payout would be very good. Mr Dixon discussed the factory accounts at length and explained the effect of the high testing milking on the ratio. The grading of the factory compared very satisfactorily with others While it was below that of

last year, it was .32 per cent, above the average. A total of 3008 crates had graded first and 100 crates second grade. The average test was 90 45, compared with 91.18 the previous season and 90.12 for the rest of the company’s factories. ' Mr G. Buchanan, local director, said that he had compared the profit and loss account with those of other factories, and in almost every case the Nethc.ton figures proved more satisfactory. The factory was run very < conomically,. and great credit was due to the mana-ger. Many questions in regard to share capital were asked, particular refer- < nee being made to what’ would happen if the factory was not to open during the coming season.

Asked directly how the factory should be wound up, Mr Sinclair said ™ that he was not in a position to say. The directors would not recommend that this be done,. as there was no c oubt that the suppliers would be glad to have it reopened when the market

improved. Mr Considine advocated that the company endeavour to dispose of the factory in’ such a manner that it could be utilised for the benefit of the community. The plant could possibly be profitably disposed of and the building utilised as a public hall or a count}' machinery depot. The County Council could probably take over the factory employees’ houses. Mr Buchanan said tha't Mr Goodfellow had a scheme which he would place before the directors at the next meeting. He could not advise on the point at present, but would urge suppliers to retain the factory. Mr. T. Vpwles moved, and Mr G. Death seconded, that the factory be -lot opened up for the coming season. As an amendment Mr C. Potter moved that the matter be left in abeyance in the meantime. This lapsed for want of a seconder, and the motion was put and carried by seven

votes to one. Mr Sinclair said that now the-sup-pliers had given their decision the directors would go into the matter and would later advise shareholders o» the subject. • . Mr Vowles asked that the directors go into the matter of. erecting a depot in Netherton. In reply Mr Sinclair siad that the company only erected dumps in canties at a great distance-from established factories. He did not qee that it would be a paying proposition in such a closely settled district as Netherton, which was only four or five .miles from the Paeroa foctor-y.. There should be no difficulty in. getting superfine grade if a properly arranged cartage service was put into operation.

Mr Considine moved that the directors take into consideration the • requirements of Netherton and not expend more money on the Paeroa factory in anticipation of Netherton’s supply, but to look into the matter of erecting a butter factory in Netherton.

Seconded by Mr Sarjant and carried by fourteen votes to one. Mr G. Death moved that a hearty vote of thanks be accorded Mr Williams for the very satisfactory manner in which he had managed the Netherton factory during the season.— Carried by acclamation. -The meeting closed with votes ot thanks to Messrs Sinclair, Dixon, and Buchanan, and to the chairman.