MAROKOPA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 495, 28 August 1912, Page 3

MAROKOPA.

DAIRY COMPANY ANNUAL MEETING. A PROMISING CONCERN. Own Correspondent. The annual meoting of the Marokopa Dairy Company was held at th.B factory on 20th inst. There was a good attendance of suppliers and all the districts were represented. The meeting was presided over by Mr E. C. Stanley, chairman of directors. The chairman in his annual report dealt exhaustively with'the financial position which showed a balance of £B6 2s 2d for the first year, a matter which he considered was a great satisfaction and an omen of the outlook for the future. The report showed that there were 26 suppliers, and that the pounds of cream received for the seai son were 101,7691b5. The average teat of cream was 37.142 the highest test being D 4 and the lowest 22. Butter fat received was 37,534.971b5, our of which 44,0821bs (19 tons 13cwt 16bls) were manufactured out of which 17J tons were shipped the balance having been disposed of to suppliers and local storekeepers. The cost of carriage of cream per lb of fat was .807 d and the average price received for butter per lb was lUd. The cost of manufacturing and marketing a lb of butter was a little over 2d. The average price paid to shareholders was B£d. With regard to the balance of £B6 2s 2d it wa« proposed to pay a bonus of |d per lb to members in terms of the Articles of Association, the balance being seserved for contingencies; making in all 9d per lb for butter fat for the season. It was also proposed to open an number two account into which all share monies and deductions from cream be paid in order to liquidate the liability on the factory. Horses, harness and waggon had been purchased for the carting of cream and the carriage of butter to Kinohaku and other such work as the company required. They justified their claims for so doing for the reason that the contract system of the carrying of cream, of which they had had an experience last year was unsatisfactory. The shipping at Marokopa heads was also unreliable. The waggon could also cart the butter to Ktiiohaku for shipment via Kawhia, It was also proposed to add two rooms to the manager's cottage put in a new vat and insulate the tank. The report concluded by urging a true spirit of cooperation on behalf of settlers. The industry had been launched with success, and it was now in the hands of those concerned to have their factory rank as one of the foremost in the King Country for both quantity and quality. The chairman addressed the suppliers and gave a lucid explanation of the year's proceedings. He also dealt with the necessity of the company having their own team, and gave as reason that when the cream was being carted by a contractor last year it was only a secondary consideration to the goods carried. The company intended that the cream next season should be carried as near as possible co schedule time and it was not the intention of the company to permit the carrying of 3torea. He also referred to the other additions and improvements projected, and stated that they were cunsidered necessary by ths directors. Mr H. Derecourt took exception to the company purchasing its own team, and considered that the work could be done cheaper and more effectively by contract. He considered that the proposal was a most unsatisfactory one, and thought that suppliers should have the right of having their stores carried.

The chairman pointed out that he had been authoritatively in formed that rotten potatoes, and other obnoxious goods had been carried with the cream last season. This was very wrong as cream was very easily contaminated. Mr Hartman was also of opinion that the directors in deciding to purchase horses and conveyance for the carriage of cream were taking a premature step. He considered that the work could have been done better by contract. Even if the company did cart its own cream he could see no season why the directors should debar suppliers' stores from being carried. He would be one of the first to object to goods being carried on the waggon that would affect the cream. However, he was of the opinion that the goods that could be carried could be stipulated. Several other suppliers from the Kinohaku end entered into the discussion, and opposed the action of the directors.

Mr J. Wouldes proposed that ths report and balance-sheet be adoped, and that the directors be accorded a hearty vote of thanks for the able and efficient manner in which they had carried out the first season's business. In speaking to the motion Mr Wouldes was of the opinion that the directors had done very well, and the very fact of 9d per lb being paid for buttterfat spoke volumes. ' Mr D. McDonald also briefly referred to the success of the company and seconded the motion. Mr Hartman moved as an amendment that the balance-sheet i?e accepted, and that the report be not adopted. He wished it clearly understood that what he was taking exception to was the purchase of horses and waggon by the directors. Mr H. Dereccurt seconded the amendment, and adversely criticised the company's action. The amendment on being put to the meeting was defeated by 8 votes to 7. The motion was carried by 9to 6. An election to fill two vacancies caused by retiring directors resulted in Mr G. L. Armitage (re-elected) and Mr D. McDonald being elected. At a subsequent meeting of the new directors Mr John Smith was unanimously elected chairman for the ensuing year.

Mr R. Armstrong of Ratanui, in an interview with the directors stated that a supply from 150 cows would be

forthcoming from his district for the ensuing season. The settlers were willing to bring their cream to the Mngaohae river provided the company would take charge of it at that point. He also considered that the test of 45 asked by the directors was too high. The directors decided that they would take charge of the Ratanui cream at the Mang'aohae river and that the minimum test required ba 40. Messrs J. Wouldes and Saunders waited on the directors as regards the cream from their part of the district. Mr Saunders said that there would be a few more suppliers from the Kiritehere district next season, and he would like to know what was the intention with regard to the carriage of cream on the river.

The chairman replied thai the company were arranging for a launch to run ns near as possible to a timetable, and that settlers cream from that district would be carried from Marokopa to the factory free of cost. Mr R. Neeley, of Whakapirau, asked if it would bo possible for the round of the cream cart to be extended as far as Potato Point in order to pick up cream, as there were a few more settlers desirous of supplying the factory. After a good deal of discussion it was decided that the chairman, Mr McDonald, and the secretary hold a meeting in the district at Mr Barrett's on August 28th to discuss the matter, and if possible to formulate a scheme to enable all the settlers of the Whakapirau Valley to supply the factory. The following finance committee was elected: —Messrs John Smith (chairman), E. C Stanley, J. Willison, C. Haylock and E. McGrath. On the motion of Messrs L. Armitage and McGrath a hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr E. C. Stanley for the able and efficient manner in which he had carried out the onerous duties oE the first chairman of the company.

NOTES.

The weather for the past fortnight has been very good and quite a contrast to the long unbroken spell of bad weather which preceded it. It has been taken advanatge of by those preparing for the dairying season with the results that the requirements for the coming season are well advanced. Bushfelling contractors and have also enjoyed the change and work in that direction has been proceeding satisfactorily.

Lambing has commenced in earnest and judging from appearances tnere is every possibility of a good percentage this season. Flockmasters express the opinion that a continuation of fair weather will enhance the prospects considerably. The following have been nominated as trustees for the Marokopa wharf and shed: Messrs John Wouldes, John Bell, E. C. Stanley, John Willison and Charles Willison. A reply from the Minister of Marine in connection with the matter is expected at an early date. ' The annual settlers' picnic in connection with the celebration of the opening of the dairy factory is to take place on September 2nd. Provided that the weather is fine a very enjoyable day's outing is in store for all and sundry.

By the last trip of the s.s. Pitoitoi, a further shipment of ferro-concrete pipes for culverting purposes came to hand for the Public Works Department.

Messrs Kinnaine Bros, have a telephone erected from their place to the Moeatoa post office. The working of continuing the line to Mr John Bell's is being carried out.