TWENTY YEARS SYNE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 82, 28 July 1914, Page 8

TWENTY YEARS SYNE.

THE STRATFORD FARMERS’ COOPER ATiVE ASSOCIATION.

It was a happy thought ot Mr S. J. Hawles, Opanuko Road, at the annual meeting ot tac Stratford Co-op. yesterday to hand buck to the Com-

pany a copy of the first balancesheet, which was issued as far back as 1895, The incident gave rise to pleasant memories, and the reading of the report and extracts from the paper by the secretary (Mr hastier) made a unique and interesting break in the proceedings of what may lie termed the more prosaic days of 1914. The “glad eye.” of Mr Rawlos was plain to all as lie referred to the fact that he had been present at the annual meeting and had been * supplier twenty years ago. “And 1 never had a can of milk returned during all the years,'* he said with added pride. One who must have known Dir Rawlos very well interjected and raised a roar of laughter by saying: “But that is not to say that some of them should not have been sent back.”

Mr Tastier read the report m toto, and gave figures from the balancesheet. We cull the following Pne directors in their lirst annual

report stated that since the purchase ot the factory from Messrs Robbins and Rierard, considerably improvement had been effected,, and that it was then the most complete factory on the Coast. The capacity had been increased so as to deal, with over SUOU gallons daily, which it was estimated would bg supplied during the height of tils seasoii.\ The amount of milk received during the first season was 411,8131 gallons, (vinca produced 13/9,28919.5 of cheese and H7,0291b5. of butter. It was significant of the financial position of the company that •the profit amounting to £179 15s 7d was recommended bv the directors not

to be paid in casii, but to be credited' in paid-up shares to the shareholders. In tnose days uLo the policy was to sell wltnout recourse at the .commencement of the season. At that time Hi- H. D. C. Marr was the manager, ami it was stated in the report .that his services had been secured for another year. The directors tlyan were Messrs James Were (chairman), 0. Xasli, R. Montgomerie, P. Wjlson, J. Richardson, J. Williss, and E. 11. Wilson. Mr ShH, James was auditor, and Mr H. Norman Liardet was the secretary. The araorfnt of the working account in that year was . £7OOO odd, compared to £70;000 odd to-day. This memorable meeting took place at the Mart, Stratford, on the morning of Monday, October 2.1, 1895.

Mr Rawles, speaking after the reading, said they would all realise the growth’.of thee company during the past twenty years. It was hard to raise money then, he continued. We could raise the whole of the capital now. easier than then, although bh© Massey. Government ■ is - in power. ('Laughter.) We paid ten guineas on application before we were allotted a shore, and had to go guarantee for the whole loti “I am pleased to have been spared to sec the present satisfactory position of the Company,” said he as he resumed his seat amidst applause.