OHURA DAIRY COMPANY.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 488, 3 August 1912, Page 3

OHURA DAIRY COMPANY.

FIFTH ANNUAL MEETING.

Own Correspondent. The fifth annual meeting of the Ohura Co-operative Dairy Co. was held in the Settlers' Hall, Niho Niho, on July 27th. The chairman (Mr Sandison) moved the adoption of the balance-sheet. He explained that owing to the last season being so wet the increase had not been up to the expectations of the directors and owing to the heavy road their expenses had been heavier than they had anticipated. The increase for the season was 25,2181bs of manufactured butter which had enabled the directors to pay 8d to suppliers and to add plant to the value of £3921 Is Id, and then have a profit balance of £225. They had an overdraft at the Union Bank of Australia of £3BO, against which they had Btores £778, butter £75, debtors £267, cash at bank £lO4 4s 4d; total £524 15s, giving a credit balance of £144 153, which was very satisfactory. To enable the accounts to be set out more clearly the meeting would be asked to alter the date of the annual meeting from July to August as it was found impracticable to get the accounts paid, and the books audited so as to give sufficient time for the balance-sheet to reach shareholders before July meeting. The chairman and secretary, acting under instructions from the directors, had met the Tokirima suppliers, and had, conditional on their supply being doubled, and the average price obtained by the company, for the ensuing season being equal to 115s, had offered to guarantee them 9d for the ensuing season. The original guarantee was 100 cows and they were confident that this season they wouid equal 300 cows. There would be new suppliers from Mahorahora and Waitangata. The Otangiwai district would, with the Whenuakura provide a fair increase. The only district which would not greatly increase was Niho Niho, which was greatly to be regretted. The directors had decided to sell a fair proportion of the output locally, so as to get a fair average price. This season they had sold 23,9651bs and the buyers have expressed themselves as anxious to purchase from the company next season. Up to this season there has been a doubt as to be the keeping qualities of the butter, but by the installation of up-to-date mashinerythe manager is now pre Dared to compete with all comers. It had been unfortunate for the company that Mr Hall, the manager, was unable tu get the plant into position last season owing to the change of managers, but he had not rearranged the whole plant and is satisfied that he can and will improve on last season's work. The position is now that given a fair increase in the supply, the suppliers can look forward to an increased price, and the company should be prepared to entertain offers for cream from all parts of the district owing to the unsatisfactory manner in which the butter had been "delivered, it was proposed to place a team on the road to do the company's work. Mr McDonald explained that owing to the bad roads he had been greatly handicapped in carting the butter to Ongarue, and in his opinion it would be a losing concern for the company to do its own carting.

The chairman: The directors'position is this: Every care is taken to get the cream to the factory, and made into butter, and it was very unfair to the manager to have all his care and skill neutralised by the butter being neglected between the factory and Auckland. The first intimation the secretary received of this neglect was the receipt of a wire from the Govenment grader, in Auckland, that the butter was partly melted on arrival. There was a difference of 4s per cwt. between first and second grade butter, so that the loss to the suppliers was serious. They were there to look after the suppliers' interests, and could be trusted to do the best for them.

The motion was seconded by, Mr Geisler and carried.

Messrs Currie, Bruce and Coventry were elected directors. The directors met in the evening, and on the motion of Mr J. L. Robinson, Mr Sandison was re-elected chairman. In proposing Mr Sandison, Mr Robinson expressed himself satisfied with the manner Mr Sandison had carried out his duties. Alhough he had not always agreed with the chairman he was satisfied Mr Sandison was a good chairman for the company.

Mr Mossman, in seconding, expressed himself was very pleased with Mr Sandison. He had come to the board of directors somewhat antagonistic to the chairman, and was pleased to say that feeling had vanished. Mr Sandison, in thanking the directors for their renewal of confidence and felt sure that he would help them all he could in the future. The stormy days of the factory were past This season had placed them in a sound position, and they could be confident that another season would place them beyond competition in the Ohura Valley. It had been a pleasure to him to preside with the directors of this factory and work for the advancement of the district. Messrs Bruce and Currie were appointed to purchase horses, and the chairman and Mr Currie to arrange for a waggon; it was resolved to call applications for an assistant and secretary. Consideration of guarantors who had failed to supply was held over until next meeting.