KING COUNTRY DAIRYING.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 472, 8 June 1912, Page 6

KING COUNTRY DAIRYING.

TE KUITI FACTORY. The Te Kuiti co-operative dairy factory, which opened at the end of January, was kept running for about four months. In view of the lute start and the fact that the roads were in a bad state throughout the summer, | the amount of business done musUie accounted highly satisfactory. The majority of suppliers who will patronise the factory 'next season had already made their arrangements for the j past season, and the working of the j factory wan more in the nature of a , trial run for the purpose of getting ; into thorough working order for next j season. During the period of four ; months the output from the factory aggregated about twelve tons, much of which was disposed of locally at ruling prices. The price paid for butter fat was eleven pence and it is confidently anticipated that at least a shilling will be paid to suppliers next season. Situated close to the railway the factory offers exceptional facilities to suppliers living either up or down the line, and cream is sent from Kio Kio, Hangatiki and Waitomo on the north, and from as far south as Taumarunui in considerable quantities. The districts in the immediate vicinity of Te Kuiti in themselves offer a wide field, and with improvement of the roads a very large supply will be forthcoming. An important matter in connection with outback supply is the installation of waggon services in order to collect supplies from the settlers on the various roads. The question is now being considered and will be decided before the opening of next season. There is little doubt that a satisfactory system will be inaugurated as soon as the condition of the roads renders it practicable. A feature of the industry in the district is the manner m which machines are being used in place of the old nand milking methods. Mr Somerville has two machines at work —one at Te Kuiti and the other at his Te Kumi property; Mr Boddie is putting in a machine at his Mangaorino farm; Mr Davidson at Qparure; and Mr Christensen at the troopers Block are each milking by machine, while a number of others are installing plants in time for next season. The p-ospects of the factory for next season are undoubtedly bright. The number of cows expected to be milked for the factory is variously stated, the lowest estimate being sixteen hundred, and providing the season is favourable it will occasion no surprise to see that estimate very considerably exceeded. The factory was built with a view to handling a large supply at the minimum of . labour. It is on the gravitation principle, having three floors, the highest of which is the receiving room. Here the cream is delivered, and passes in succession through the pasteuriser, and cream vats to the churn on the bottom floor, where are also situated the butter room and a spacious cold storage room. The factory is capable of dealing with six hundred tons of butter a year, and with reasonable progress in the district there is little doubt this amount will be reached within the next few seasons. The growing popularity of the home separation system led the promoters of the industry to establish the factory especially to deal with cream, and no separating is done at the factory. This step was deemed wise in view of the fact that the bulk of supply will be drawn from a distance, both bv rail and road. Like other King Country industries the immediate success of the factory depends to a considerable extent upon the roading facilities. Fortunately metalling schemes of considerable magnitude are at present in hand and every yard of metal laid means progress to the district generally.