KING COUNTRY PEOGRESS.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 393, 6 September 1911, Page 5

KING COUNTRY PEOGRESS.

Opening of the Marokopa Dairy Factory. A PROGRESSIVE DISTRICT.

Nearly two years ago the idea of dairying was conceived by a few settlers living in the Marakopa Valley. They propounded their scheme to those most likely to be interested, with results that were anything but satisfactory. Perseverance, however, was continned, with the result that twelve months ago everything was finally arranged. It was too late, i-owever, to deal with the matter last year, and after setting the opinion of those interested it was decided to push I the matter along with, a view of hav- J ing the factory opened early this sea- j son. After the decision to wait for another year the provisional directors ; and those interested got actively to j work, with the result that shortly before last Christmas tenders were called j for the erection of the factory, and a | few months later for the installation j of the plant. All this was done, and ! in due and ample time became an accomplished fact, and on Friday last ic was realised, when there was a very large gathering of settlers to see the factory in that condition, that it was there ready, waiting for the duties intended of it. The large gathering present was representative of the surrounding districts, many journeying on horseback and a large number by launches and boats to the scene of the proceedings.

minion-—more attention would be paid by the Government as regards their wants in the matter of roads and bridges. Then there was the Marakopa river, which was going to play

an important part in their industry. Money would be required to make it navigable to do the duty required of it inasmuch as it would be the. principal means of transit by which their products would have to go: a fact which similarly applied to their needs. The speaker, in conclusion, • appealed to settlers to do all in their power to unite and make their district a recognised dairying one. Mr Hay lock asked settlers to thoroughly understand that, although the factory had been practically brought to the issue that it had by the directors, that it was purely a co-operative one. The unanimity of settlers would undoubtedly be of material assistanca in bringing the project to a successful issue.

Mr J. Willison, in his remarks, was of undoubted opinion that the erection of the factory was a step forward in the history of the district, and was one of those movements that all concerned were not, likely to forget. At this juncture Mrs J. Willison, wife of the previous speaker, declared the factory opened, amidst loud applause. She wished the venture every success.

Mr P. \V. Bel!, on behalf of the guests present, made some very complimentary remarks as regards the "fathers" of the movement. He had no doubt but that the factory would have a successful future, because it had got the land in its immdediate vicinity, to which, perhaps, there was no equal for many miles around. He was certain that, as the industry developed, the Marokopa Valley would be one ilowing with milk arid money (loud applause.) The originators and those interested were, deserving of the highest praise. Cheers were given for the directors and the builder (Mr T. Johnstone). THE PROSPECTS. The important part that this industry will eventually play it) the district is hard to guage. Up to the present the holdings are scarcely up to the dairying pitch, but now that the factory has been erected, there is every possibility and every likelihood that agricultural and pastoral interests will proceed with greater vim than in the past, despite the fact that some very excellent pioneering work has been done. The home-separation system is going to be the great factor of the movement, and its value will be more truly estimated after a season has gone through, because it will serve to teach those who are doubtful and lethargic, as regards the future prospects. Cream is to be supplied

The event was one of which the directors —'Messrs E. G. Stanley chairman, J. Smith (secretary), J. Willison, E. McGrath, L. Armitage, C. Haylock, G. L. Armitage, and D. H. Holmes—might fee! proud. In response to their invitation a large gathering was present, and this very excellent manner in which they rc>ade provision certainly did them credit. At midday a large picnic party participated in the generosity offerei them, and a beautiful sunny day accompanied by the many good things in the furtn of eatables, made matters most pleasant. The entertainment of the directorate was further continued in the evening when their guests were entertained to a splendid dance in the Marokopa Hall. Situated about seven miles tip the Marakopa river frm the heads is the factory. It is a fine structure, and one that would do credit to any district. Firmly planted on four acres of treehold, and in the centre of a district that will eventually be without rival, from a dairying point of view, success must come its way. The new factory is one replete in every way. Its machinery is of the latest type, and can be judged from the fact that it comprises the following up-to-date plant:—A combined churn and butter worker, capable of dealing with lOOOlbs of butter; a Dutch pasteuriser and cooler combined; a 300 gallon cream vat; a "Humble" freezer 10 h.p.; cold store with brine tank and other conveniences necessary. The plant is such as can deal with a comfortable output of 3000 cows. The whoie outfit is complete in every detail and including amongst other necessary conveniences an up-to-date engine shed, a butter room, a store and a bathroom. All the floors are concreted, and the walla for four feet are lined with zinc. The many details necessary are fully provided for, and the tramway, which runs from the factory to the wharf, which has been specially built for the purpose of shipping cream and the exporting of butter, is decidedly an acquisition to the equipment, and the evident faith which directors and the suppliers have in their district. CHAIRMAN'S ADDRESS.

from a very large radius, and will

take in the Kiritehere and Ratanu is districts, which serves to prove that those who are acquainted with the system have faith in it. From the Ratanui end the cream will have to be taken on pack horses to the factory and from Kiritehere a similar mode of transit will be adopted, as far as the Marakopa heads, from which place it will be taken by launch to its destination.

It is estimated that in the vicinity or the factory there are fully -1000 acres of good dairying land, without taking into consideration the fertile valleys suitable for dairying in the district. Most of the land around the factory is river flats and swamp, of which a good portion of the latter has been drained and sown in grass. Right from the heads toTe Anga will, in a few years, have every acre of it. carrying dairy stock. A good portion of it also will be growing root crops. At present there is a large amount of swamp to be broken in, which will, without doubt, be a costly and expensive item. However, there ia no doubt but that when improved it will be excellent country. Some very good work of this kind ha 3 been done by Mr C. Haylock. Eight years ago Mr Haylock took up 1145 acres of country, half of which was impassable swamp, and the balance bush. Up to the present some 400 acres have been drained by five miles of drains, at cost of about £2OOO, and is carrying dairy stock. Mr Haylock, who will be one of the largest suppliers, is the pioneer of the dairying industry in that part. About five years ago he made butter and supplied the district. Two years ago he procured a plant for ths making of cheese, he making of which he carried out successfully. The product was in good demand in the district, besides which a large quantity was shipped to the Home market. The general outlook for the industry is certainly good, although, perhaps, there are pessimists who think that it is before its time. Be that as it may, there are those who are optimistic enough to have confidence in their district. For the first few years the venture may not be a wonderful paying concern, but it will hold its own. The fact of the industry having become an accomplished fact will mean closer settlement, better roads and bridges. To make matters successful close settlement must take place, for the farms all around the district are ton large to be successfully dairyed on without an enormous expenditure for settlers. The whole will have a most beneficial effect on the district, anil there is very little doubt but thai, in a few years to come the new factory will be a flourishing one. The question of roads is one that will affect the industry to a great extent, and it is to be hoped that settlers will make known their wants and keep up a persistent agitation to have roads made.

Mr E. C. Stanley (chairman of directors in the course of his remarks, related how the organisation had been worked up. He, and those others that had joined in the venture, were confident of the success that would eventually accrue to the whole district. The factory in which they stood was established in a unique fashion, inasmuch as that the directors themselves took the onus of the whole burden. Although they did that the factory was purely a co-operative one, and the speaker invited the hearty cooperation of every farmer in the distirct. Anybody that had a few cows to milk he urged them to do so. It was the units that counted in the finish. The factory and plant was situated in a central possition, and one that should appeal to all rightthinking settlers. Their little lot was on four acres, of freehold, and it was the beginning of a future for the district. Within a very short time it would mean a big circulation of money in the district. He was exceedingly glad to welcome the large number of settlers present, which he prophesied augured well for the future. The factory that had been established was installed with the best machinery that the directors could procure. They had a large area of milking country within their defines, and it rested with local farmers to be united and help their industry along. Although, perhaps, for a year or two they would not export a very large output he had every confidence that in a few years they would compare favourably with much older concerns. The crowning part of the success to come was totally in the hands of settlers and to them they looked for support. From the fact of butter making and the advantages to come settlers had to recognise that by the establishment of the industry—an industry which had done so much for other parts of the Do-