PIO PIO FACTORY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 299, 1 October 1910, Page 5

PIO PIO FACTORY.

Opening Ceremony. At the opening ceremony there were a great number of settlers, their wives and families present. Mr W. T. Jennings, M.P., in opening the factory, said :—"lt gives me great pleasure to be here to-day on this worthy occasion of opening the Pio Pio Dairy factory. Having watched, as I have, from the commencement, the faithful efforts of the directors and all concerned, I have to congratulate you on the successful and satsifactory issue which brings us once more together to-day. On my first visit to Pio Pio some years ago, when Mr Pibly kept the accommodation house, I was impressed with the great district that surounded here, and then thought what a fine centre it would make for a dairy factory. It is now realised all over the Dominion that the dairy industry is one of the greatest sources of wealth this country possesses and all of you present on this occasion will soon be in the position of those in Taranaki of drawing cheques regularly every month. The coming of the factory spells prosperity and wealth for the whole district in increased values and future promise and hope. It behoves all supplying milk to the factory to assist in the working to their utmost ability, and not to hamper operations by pulling one against the other. I have every confidence that the Pio Pio Dairy Factory j will be a benefit to you all.. | Mr O'Dwyer then spoke a few words asking that the children should be kept out of the factory and away from belts so that the opening would not be marred by an accident. Then followed three cheers for the member for the district, which were given with great enthusiasm, after which three more were given lustily for the directors. Mr Jennings, in conclusion, said: — "It gives me great pleasure to declare I the Pio Pio Dairy Factory open, and to congratulate all. I now declare this factory open for business." The gathering were then shown over . the factory by the manager, and the machinery set in motion for their benefit. Afterwards sports for the children were held in Mr Hattaway's paddock, which were a great success. Before the opening ceremony took place at the butter factory, the settlers and their wives extended an invitation to the large number of people present to lunch. Tables were laid out in a large tent provided for the occasion, and as usual the hospitable wives of the settlers looked after the "inner man" with their customary generosity. Full justice having been done to the many good things laid out, Mr O'Dwyer, chairman of directors, proposed the loyal toast "The King," which was duly honoured.—Mr Bevege, in proposing the toast of "Our Member," stated that it gave them great pleasure to have Mr Jennings with them that day. They had always found Mr Jennings ready to attend a function of this sort. The toast was received with musical honours. Mr Jennings, in reply, thanked those present for the hearty reception the toast had received, and stated that when he laid the foundation stone of the factory he had promised -to come again and perform the opening ceremony, and he had kept his promise. Mr Jennings referred to misrepresentations which had been published about his actions in different matters, and thought he had been misunderstood. Referring to road subsidies the speaker said that it W;as impossible for the Government to'gi've more than a certain ■ amount by,.way of subsidy. To prove this he stated that his electorate alone would take over £400,000 which they would realise was impossible. He fully realised that the settlers had disappointments at times in these matters, but they could rest assured that the Minister for Roads will give their electorate a fair share when the question of roading is being considered. Mr Jennings remarked that he had grown up with the district, having represented them for ten years. Mr Jennings said he anticipated an active season in the matter of road work. The speaker concluded by | wishing each and everyone present prosperity.- -Other toasts honoured were "The Dairying Industry," proposed by Mr Gleadow, and responded to by Mr Pine.—Mr Johnson proposed the toast of the "Bank of New Zealand," to which Mr Corkhill (inspector) responded.--"Agricultural and Pastoral Interests" was proposed by Mr Gleadow and responded to by Mr Ellison. —Mr Bevege proposed the toast of the "Legal Advisers to the Dairy Company," Mr G. Finlay responding. The chairman (Mr O'Dwyer) gave the next toast, the "Parliament of New Zealand," Mr Jennings responding thereto.---Mr Johnston proposed the toast of "Messrs Mason Struthers and Co," to which Mr Garrett responded.—The toast of "The Ladies" was entrusted to Mr Gleadow, with which toast the name of Mr G. Elliott was coupled.—The toast of "The Factory" was proposed by Mr Dunn and responded to by Messrs Jones and Hitchcock. —Mr Bevege proposed the toast of "The Press," Mr Matthew replying.—The final toast was that of the "Chairman end Directors," to which Mr Jennings proposed and Mr O'Dwyer responded. The new factory is a very commodious building and replete in every way. The machinery is up-to-date and the facilities for quick and effective working seem to be of a very high order. Mr Tunnicliffe, as manager, appears to have the whole working of [ the butter industry at his finger tips. The combined churn and butter is capable of treating 1000 gallons of milk ( and the cream vat has a capacity of j 300 gallons. The cream is cooled by ! circulating through a spacious cold ! chamber, in which are placed the brine j tanks. The water is cooled in the j same way. This chamber is large ! enough to store a large quantity of butter, which should ensure its being kept in excellent condition. The driving power consists of a Brown and May engine of six-horse power, the fuel used being rata. The engine used