PROPOSED DAIRY FACTORY AT NGATIMOTI.

Motueka Star, Volume III, Issue 128, 4 November 1902, Page 3

PROPOSED DAIRY FACTORY AT NGATIMOTI.

In response to an invitation by a large and representative gathering of settlers was held at the schoolroom, Ngatimoti bp Friday evening, to consider a proposal to erect an up-to-date butter factory in that locality. The chair was taken by Mr John Guy, who stated they had met that night to hear the proposal of Messrs Rankin and Sons to erect a butter factory in the district, which had been wanted for some years. He hoped Messrs Rankin and Son’s offer would be a satisfactory one and that they would be in favor of it. Mr R. H. Rankin said he was pleased to meet so many settlers that evening and to place before them their proposal with reference to the establishment of a butter factory at Ngatimoti which would undoubtedly be of great benefit to the district, where there was a large tract iof country capable of supplying a factory. Their proposal had been heartily supported and they had received sufficient encouragement to warrant them greeting a factory with complete and modern appliances, the plans for which were almost completed, and which would be erected within two months. Having pointed out the advantages of dairying as compared with grazing etc., Mr Rankin indicated the prices to be paid for butter fat. The concern would 1 be run on cash lines and they intended to bar the truck system absolutely and entirely, as it was a curse to settlers and to business people. They did not expect the factory to return them anything the first year, but if the settlers improved and increased their herds it would be for the benefit of both parties. As to a site, several had been offered, between the Black bridge and the school, and he would ask them for an expression of opinion on the point. Mr Rankin concluded by asking those present who had not promised to support the factory to step forward and do so, stating that they could rest assured they were going to have a factory which would be up-to-date and a credit to the district.

•Mr Robert White congratulated Mr Rankin on the manner in which he had placed the firm’s proposals before the meeting, and the way they had worked up the project. He considered a proprietory factory was behind the times and that it should be run on co-operative lines. Mr Tertius Grooby retorted that if they waited till a co-operative factory started they would wait a long time. Mr Rankin remarked that if Mr White held that opinion he should call a meeting of his own to discuss the subject. A motion by Mr White in the direction of establishing a co-operative factory, which was not seconded, was promptly ruled out of order by the chairman. Mr Lloyd referred to the hostile remarks of Mr White and said it was most unfriendly on his part to make them at that meeting. Evidently those present did not hold the same views as Mr White. Subsequently Mr White withdrew the remarks he had made.

The Chairman moved, that the settlers of the Ngatimoti district are of opinion that it is necessary to have a factory in their midst. He looked upon the establishment of a factory as an era in the history of Ngatimoti, and they should thank Mr Rankin for being present and lucidly explaining the firm’s proposals. Seconded by Mr Hudson and carried amidst applause. In reply to a question by Mr Canton as to particulars of agreement required, Mr Rankin said he would iike to have an estimate of the number of suppliers and of the cows to be milked as some guarantee for the money to be spent in the erection of the factory.

A discussion ensued upon the proposed site and it was eventually agreed, on the motion of Mr Canton, That Messrs Rankin and Sons be requested to erect the factory near the black bridge. After a number of those present had given in their names as clients, the meeting terminated with votes of thanks to Mr Rankin and the chairman.