WAIUKU BUTTER FACTORY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 4, Issue 20, 12 March 1915, Page 4

WAIUKU BUTTER FACTORY

Stdne-Laying Ceremony.

By Right Hon. W. F.

Massey.

Very Successful Function.

Tne laying of the foundation stone of the Waiuku Butter Factory, now undergoing erection for the New Zealand Dairy Association, which took place on Tuesday afternoon was a very successful function. The Right Hon. W. F. Massey, Prime Minister and member for the district, performed the official ceremony, his declaratio:i that the ttone had been well and truly laid being the signal for considerable applause. There was a large crowd present from all parts of the district, and numerous visitors trom Auckland and other places. In addi ion to the function mentioned occasion was also taken to honour Mr Wesley Spragg, managing director of the Association and its chief pioneer, to mark his retirement from the position mentioned

The site of the new factory is on the Drury road, about a mile Ircm Waiuku to*n, where the Association has secured about 17 acrc3 of land just outside the town boundary. A large and up-to-date building in every respect, with all modern devices aod conveniences for efficient manufacture, has been designed, and the realisation of the proposal is hailed as of considerable importance to Waiuku and district.

Th° Prime Minister was accompanied by Mr R. F. bollard, M.P. for Raglan, and prominent residents of the district, The leading officials of the Association, directors and shareholders, also a larae number of employees, a good many of whom came from fuckiand, were preset. All the districts around Waiuku were well represented, the thareholders attending the function orom a wide area. Representatives uf other large dairying concerns and kindred industries were also in attendance by invitation. Splendid Wtather prevailed for the affair, which doubtless assisted materially to the enjoyment and success that eventuated. To mark the occasion of Mr Spragg's retirement as managing director he was the recipient of a handsome presentations from the directors and shareholders, also from the e'mployees of the Association, whilst similar honour was done to Mrs and Miss Sp.agg. Mr Spragg, after mentioning the auspicious and dual nature of the gatherring, referred to the fortunate circumstance of the Prime Minister Iking able to attend, which met with loud applause. "It is 22 jt years since 1 first came to help you, and there was not much business worth speak: ing of then," proceeded Mr Sragg, "and it is 30 years since 1 first began business." ~ Continuing, he referred to the progress of the district by the fact that 15 years ago it prcduced 17 tons of butter; one and a-half years later the output jumped up to 150 tons—this was the period when co-operation took the husiuess over from Himself and bis partner—and since then the increase had been a thousand per cent. He instanced the contrast on eomuarirg tne present cordition of the district lands with the view met with in the early days, which showed great development. Something like 30 years ago tbe district was promised a railway, tut that was probabiy a little ahead of reejuirements There was iiow no doubt as to the railway being needed, and he understood that in a very short time the rails would be laid and tratii: passing over For eome years past the Association had contemplated the erection of this factory at Waiuku owing to the heavy cost of carting cream to Pukekohe, and the step had finally been taken. The site chosen, Mr Spragg pointed out, was an ideal one, commanding an abundant water supply, good drainage, and quite closa to the Waiuku railway for a side track. He emphasised the district's need of the facilities now neirg provided, and concluded with neat references to the district having obtained its deserts in conjunction with his retirement from the Association.

ihe Right Hon. W. F. Massey, who was enthusiastically received, expressed pleasure at being enabled to take part in the ceremony. He congratulated the Association od its enterprise in preparing to erect such a line building at Waiuku, and said he believed that in the not distant future they would reap the reward e-uch enterprise deserved. He had been glad to notice the general progress that had been going on for some time past in the district, and that Wsiuku was at last corning into its own. It was the centre of a great agricultural, dairying and pastoral district; and he instanced its promising future in that the railway so long wanted was about to be an accomplished fact. Continuing, he pointed to the general promising outlouk both frr the district and ths Dominion, having duo regard to v,ar conditions. Whilst deploring the horrors of warfate hs felt quite sure that all would agree with him that the end was not desired without a satisfactory and honourable peace had been gained, and that we would go on to any length until such were realised. He instanced the high prices ruling for produce as the outcome ot the war, and that another feature was the probability of markets lor our produce being extended. Mr Massey touched on his association with the district tor the past twenty one years, and the dillicuities the pioneer dairy farmers had to combat owing to bad roads, leaditg up tu the development that had taken place until the improved roadways had become quite inefficient fur carrying the traffic. "The sooner the railway comes tee better," went on Mr Massey. At last election bis political friends (?) gave this railway a great advertisement. He had no doubt that seme misguided people had the impression that ti.., Ustrich Farm was out at Waiuku, and that the line was to he used for convening ostrich feathers to Auckland and elsewhere. i Laughter). He believed the railway would largely increase the output from this important district, ariri would pay interest on the cost of

construction from the opening. The speaker hoped (lie day was not far distant when he would be able to eoioj along and assist at the opening of the line. ihe part Mr Spragg had taken in conned ion with the advance of the dairying industry was instanced by Mr Massey, who also pointed to tbe

exports of butter and cheese for last jear being something like live millions. Unfortunately this season the drought would afect the returns, as it had been rather unfavourable to the industry. In closing, he paid a high compliment to Mr Spragg's energetic work in reference to the progress ct the industry. He had been informed that, it was intended to try and perpetuate Mr Spragg's name in correction with the lailway etatiun, which he thought a fitting compliment and he would be glad to assist in the Ifnatter as far as possible. (Loud applause). Mr Facey, who succeeds Mr Spragg as managing director, dealt with the early days of tre industry and showed the prominent part taken by Mr Spragg in this connection. He also indicated the great possibilities yet to be realised. In the Waiuku district the productiveness was only nicely tapped. By more intense farming, and systematic culling until not less than 3'Jolbs of butter fat per cow was the output, a great deal more could be accomplished. The speaker dealt at length with the history of the Dairy Association, showing Mr Spragg's important work as being the chief factor in the progress and success met with.

Mr Blackitt, as the oldest director of the Association, in makirg the presentations to Mr and Mrs Spragg, expressed the high esteem and appreciation in which the recipients were held. From the employees of the company, per medium of Mr Stevenson, Mr Spragg received a handsome gold watch, and Mrs and Miss Dorctby Spragg also were honoured with valuable tokens of remembrance and goodwill. Mr Spragg referred in teeling terms to the great kindness shown hirn and his family, for which he expressed very grateful thanks. Tbe proceedings were marked by much enthusiasm up to ttis stage. Addresses were also given bv thd local directors, Messrs W. C. Motion and A. M. Barriball, who welcomed the many visitors to the function. The County Council chairman, Mr Flanagan, among several others, gave an address, the crowd having dwindled considerably by the time the programme was finished. Afternoon tea was then dispensed in marquees on the ground.