The Reporter.

Kaikoura Star, Volume XVII, Issue 1849, 8 March 1898, Page 6

The Reporter.

Dairy Company.

The monthly meeting of Directors was held on Saturday, Messrs H. J. Barratt (Chairman pro tem), F. E. Barrett, J. Gallagher, B. Mackie, G. Smith and the Secretary being present. The Secretary reported having obtained 2doz. aerators, which had been distributed, except one or two, and another dozen had been ordered.

Mr Gallagher spoke very unfavourably of them, and Mr Mackie said others did so also. The Chairman expressed dissatisfaction. Mr F. Barrett said the object was to remove gasses and unfavourable odours. The Secretary said the Manager spoke highly of the aerator (Canadian). Correspondence between the Secretary and Wood Bros, as to excessive charge on cheese cases was read. The Secretary reported further shipments to Sydney and London. Prices in the termer case were very fair; the Loan Company advised that the parcels had given satisfaction to the trade, and improvement in prices was expected ; other New Zealand makes were offering at under the price obtained for Kaikoura cheese.

The Secretary read letters from several firms asking for quotations for Kaikoura loaf cheese ; reply was made that the Company had none for sale. —The Company can place all it makes.

Quotations for salt were received at less than Higgins’ ‘Eureka’ brand.

The Directors authorised the Manager to exhibit cheese (lOcwt.) at the Otago Show, and agreed to pay the entrance tees (375) for 4 exhibits, and cost of sending to Dunedin. The Secretary and Manager were authorised to order requisites. The milk supply for the past month was 20,374 gallons at a cost of £232 13s 2d, as compared with 14,116g15., at £166, for Feby 1897 Average daily decrease in supply during February was 73 gallons. The supply of milk for the season to dale was valued at £1331 13s 9d, as against £1319 2s 9d tor all last season. Over 52 tons cheese had been made so far this season, as against a total of 55 for the whole of last season. The average milk test for February was 3’6; 4-2 the highest; 3 the lowest.

Mr Gallagher strongly urged that 3d per gallon should be the lowest price paidby the Factory; reduction of rate of dividend was also urged by him. He quoted rates paid at Cheviot for milk, showing ihat the prices were higher than Kaikoura.— 'The Secretary said that the price given by the Company equalled the average paid in N. Z.—The discussion ended without action.

The Chairman suggested some gravelling at the whey tank.— To be seen to.

Estimate furnished the Secretary as to the cost of altering the building, (enlarging it) and removing and reerecting machinery was given the Directors. The total was put down at, toundly, £lOO. It was pointed out that ibere was every prospect of increased milk supply next season and that a larger quantity could not be dealt with unless the Company made the requisite provision. The Secretary save the Directors, in Committee, a legal opinion obtained by him regarding payment of bonus to officials of the Company..—The matter was further deferred.—Meeting then adjourned.