The Dairying Industry.

Kawhia Settler and Raglan Advertiser, Volume IV, Issue 247, 23 February 1906, Page 2

The Dairying Industry.

Important Meeting at Kawhia. v.v-re 1 • M -ickf Davie?, H. Armstrong, TttnWj^MMlMlton, A. Ward. Hinton. F. and K. Newton, Sohrieber, Huatler and Jonathan, Mr W. M'Csrdle was appointed to the chair. The Convener (Mr Pearson) said that he bad ceded i he meeting at the request of a number ot settlers who had been talking of tbe matter for some time past. He thought tbe idea was to have a central factory at Ka whia fed by creameries all round the Hsrbnur, He had seen what dairying had done tor Taranaki, and no doubt if established here it would do the same for the Kawhia district, which had great natural facilities, and if the matter was taken op properly they should in yetrs to come have one of the largest factories in New Zealand. The Chairman remarked that he had had this matter in his mind for the past two years, in fact about that time be had spoken to Mr Dunean re a site and had been assured that there would be no difficulty over that question. It was not too early to make a etart as some people argued. Tbe introduction of dairying would greatly increase the value of the land. They should have a factory at deep water, supplied by creameries, which he was certain would pay. Two or three small com panies round the harbour would not be profitable ; it would mean that instead of getting full price for the milk tbe expenses would be eo great that the settlers would get but scant return. One well managed factory—as near to the wharf as possible—with deep water frontage, would pay, but not unless the supply was from 1500 cews. By establishing a factory they would get more assistance from the Government in the construction of roads, as the authorities were always ready to help the industry, whilst the settlers could also raise special loans. When the settlers were milking they could afford to pay special rates, but be did not think they could by grazing. He would milk for tbe factory and could say that Mr Whitcombe would milk 85 cows next year, whether the factory started or not. Kinohaku already could milk 400 cows, whilst Pirongia West would also join in. The difficulty at Te Rau-a-moa was the small supply, and by taking that in the company would be helping Te Rau-a-moa and Te Rau-a-moa would be helping the company. The establishment of the industry would do more to advance the district than anything else. Mr Whitcombe : Is there any in for mation as to the number of cows that would ba milked, the cost of the fac tory, creameries, etc. Mr Pearson: No; this is only a preliminary meeting. Mr Whitcombe thought that it was useless tlying to commenM running creamerier at once. They should find out how many oowa would be milked and install home separators—creameries could be erected when tbe roads were constructed. Cream could be packed but milk could not. They should gat a start at once. Mr Haylock, ot Marakopa, was already making butter, packing ic out and shipping to Auckland, where it realised 91 per lb. He would move : “ That this uretL g is of opinion that a Co operative Dairy Company be formed ; that a settler in each district be requested to test tbe feeling of the settlers in that district, as to how many cows they would be prepared to milk, and whether they would use horns separators.” Mr Mackenzie seconded the motion. Mr Pearson suggested getting an opinion from tbe settlers by calling meetings in different centre®. If they were not unanimous it was useless going farther, At Awaroa he knew that the following cows would be milked : Mr Green 25, Mrs Gray 20, Noonan Bros. 40, himself 40. Mr Hustler: There would be 200 oowe milked at Awaroa. The settlers there don’t talk through their nose. (Laughter), Mr R. Davies remarked that he would always support having one main factory, as he thought that the districts were too small to start independently. When people guaranteed cows they generally gave a greater number than what they actually supplied. He would support any scheme that was firm. He thought the settlers at Oparau would milk. Mr H. Armstrong said that he had met one settler who favoured estabing two factories. Two years ago the Oparau settlers guaranteed 350 cows, and as they were in a better position to milk there should be no trouble in getting 500 cows. They would want two creameries. Mr Turrell: You had better have only one creamery lor a start. Mr Davies was convinced that tbe only way to make dairying a success in the district was to have a central factory at Kawhia, judging by hie experience of dairying in Taranaki. The roads here were not too good, bat were better than the Taranaki roads when dairying was started there. He bad sledged milk with two bullocks, and had to cut the track. Mr Pearson remarked that 15 years ago the Taranaki laud wm about tbe same price as the Kawbia land now i»». They wanted something done to lift the district along, and for thia notkiag could touch dairying. A long discussion took place as to

the advisability of aaiog the tat separator, the opinion expreaaeebeiog that they would have to beted until roads were made, bat to do*y with them aa soon as possible. The Chairman stated that he like to bear the views of Mr j wbo in reply said that althougU* sßau-a-moa bad a co-operative faety , own it would be much betto join ia, as be believed ti f° r t^e district would be ip; ißetory at Kawhia. Tbe facton '’W^W^ r ’ u ' a * moa wo be big enougl p HSfetral factory, ths plant being trcat tng the milk from whilst with the addition of HgEper churn it could treat double . ||pe amount. Tbe factory complete i "ost £2300, the engine being 6 b.p., . tbe boiler 12 h.p., and the refrigerator from 30 cwt. to 2 tons. It cost over £lOO to float tbe company; there were 4700 eharee unallotted and only 300 taken np. A discussion was commenced aa to taking Te Rau-a-moa in, bat ii was ruled out of order. The resolution was thou put and earned. Mr K. Newtou was appointed secretary pro. tern. On th® motion of Mxckensie and Jonathan it wm resolved : ** That a delegate be appointed far eae'> district, to ge' inform»ti<»n m to the number of cow# th.*t would be mtlk**d v and to at-k the settlers* 00-operation.” It wm agreed that a start coal i be made about Augast, 1907. The following delegates w*re appointed:—Oparau, Mr H, Armstrong; Awaroa and Te Kauri, Mr Pearson ; Waiharakeke, Mr Nri'eon ; Kinohaku, Mr H. Derecourt; Kin<>hou, Mr W. M'Oardle; Rakaunui, Mr Whitcombe; Marakopa, Mr J. Shaw; Te Rau-a-moa, Mr Wiley ; Kawhia, Mr Mason. Resolved that the delegates be asked to report to a meeting io be held on March 17th, at 1 30 p.m. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chairman and to Mr Scott for the use of the hall. It is interesting to know that this mntter is being talked of outside tbs district, aud in consequence ot a report of the meeting appearing in Tuesday morning's Herald already communications have been received from two wealthy Auckland firms offering to finance the company.