BUNNYTHORPE DAIRY CO.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8878, 1 August 1907, Page 3

BUNNYTHORPE DAIRY CO.

Bnnnythorpe residents asusmbled in strong force in the local hall last evening to celebrate the establishment of a Co-opera-tive Dairy Company in that locality. The accommodation of the ball was severely fazed, visitors being present from Palmerston and FeUding. Mr A. Arnold, chairman of the Company, presided, and in his introductory remarks stated that it had long been the desire of Bnnnythorpe dairymen to co-operate and after several attempts he was pleased to announce- that the present gathering had been called to celebrate the accomplishment of what was a long felt want. He stated that prior to the present Company being formed the local dairymen when approached on the subject, with few exceptions, were most enthusiastic and had no hesitation in signing the necessary guarantee. He urged upon them to support their Company, and in the present satisfactory state of the butler market there was no reason why they should not be in receipt of the highest prices for the butter fat, Air W. T. 'Wood, who with Airs Wood j attended the function, _ stated that although difficulties were in the way of j his presence, owing to his duties hr the j House, he recognised that a promise was J a promise, arid ho had journeyed from | Wellington to be present. The more i mature of the audience had assembled to • hear all about the' Laud Bill, etc. | (laughter), wl;?h> the younger people were thero for enjoyment,• -0 he' would have to strike (ho happy modiftm. (Loud applause.) As a part of his electorate,-and not the least important part, he extended his heartiest congratulations to them on the step they had taken. Bnnnythorpe jf people were always noted for their I enterprise. He considered it befitting to refer to a function which ho attended some time ago, viz., the installation of a brar.eh of the Oddfellows’ Lodge, That organisation started in a very small way, but he was delighted to see tluit they were now* si.ifflciientiy strong to take a prominent part in the management of the affairs of tho Manchester Unity at tho recent meeting held in Foxton. Speaking of the dairying industry, he stated that he had the pleasure of presiding at the opening'of tho Cooperative Dairy Co. at Awahuri and had since noted tho success achieved, and ho felt confident that if tho people of Bunnythovpc pulled together and recognised that their company was part of them-1 selu-s, and that tho profits would bo! theirs’, that they would have no reason to complain. The member then dealt with the vast increase in tho colony’s export of butter during tho last few years, lie contended that the Government had in every way possible extended the helping hand to tho dairymen. They had procured tho services of the best of experts and graders and instructors to : educate tho people to produce the best | article, T hese efforts had not been in | vain, for New Zealand butter was fast | reaching the high position in the market j which it deserved. In conclusion _ii*s | would venture briefly to launch political matters. It would bo necessary

to guard against land aggregation. What was required was to extend the population into the -conntry. At tho present time the trend of the rising generation was in the other direction, especially when the attractions of the towns offered more enjoyment to the young generation than they could ever hope to attain in country life. Ho wished tho new Company every prosperity and felt confident tho promoters would receive the support which they had so well earned. Mr Arnold stated that while Mr Wood was present it was opportune to mention some of their requirements. It was important that they should have direct telephone communication with Wellington. Also tho district was sufficiently important to have a railway goods shed as it was a great disadvantage not to have accommodation to store their products, especially chaff and wool, which now had to be taken to Feilding or Palmerston. Tho residents also considered that the mail trains should stop at their station. Speaking of the goods shed, Mr Wood said that he had already brought the matter under the Minister’s notice l and had been told that inquiry had been made, and that it had boi.n said that a shed was unnecessary. He would be pleased to assist them in the matter, and in order to strengthen | his hand, asked that representation be made by a strong petition, lie did not favour the express train stopping at Bunnythorpe, because if a train was to stop at every small station it was no longer an express. However, he would favour I passengers booking say from New Plymouth by tho mail to Bnnnythorpe, seeing that they would have to break the journey at Feilding. being conveyed the rest of the journey free. (Applause). Several musical items and songs were rendered during tho evening, after which an enjoyable dance was hold.