NGAIRE DAIRY FACTORY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIX, Issue 87, 3 August 1914, Page 2

NGAIRE DAIRY FACTORY.

THE NEW BUILDING. The dairying industry to Taranaki is as necessary as the night the day. It is very desirable, therefore, that everything connected with the industry should he up to date, especially in connection with the manufacture of products of the lacteal fluid. From the cow-hails of Taranaki to the meal tables of the English, or Continental, or foreign people there is a wide stretch, and there is opportunity for many evils, not the least hut the largest of which is unclcanliness, to creep in. It is worthy of remark, also, that the last matter tiro average dairyman appears to bother himself about is the hygienic conditions attaching to his cowhyro and its surroundings. To a lesser hut no less important degree does this apply to the conditions under which the manufactured article first makes its appearance. It occurs to the writer that such important adjuncts as the latest methods ol ventilation, temperature, insulation, and sanitation, could very well he considered and dealt with and made the chief concern of the directors of these establishments. For instance, how often do we sec such an essential as a septic tank attached to the premises of a dairy factory? I s any special provision made for improved methods of ventilation? Does hygiene appeal to the average farmer who sits upon the average directorate? The answer is, Very seldom, and the result is that when the price of the manufactured article drops because of defects in the quality arising from one or some or all of these objects, the farmer feels aggrieved. But the fault is really his own. because he does not insist upon the observance of the ordinary rules of hygiene at bis own door. Fortunately, people are waking up to the fact, and the day is not far distant when legislation will make for great improvement along the above lines. In the meantime, it is satisfactory to observe that new factories being erected in our midst bear evidence of a desire for better conditions, and it gives great pleasure to lie able to refer in these terms to the new building which is now almost rejidy for occupation by the Ngaere Dairy Company, and which is a prominent landmark from the railway, and is situated a few hundred yards away on the line of the Finnerty Road.

PREPARATORY. A representative of the Stratford Evening Post was kindly shown over the building on Friday afternoon by the architect, Mr A. D. Blick, and in the course of the inspection some interesting particulars of the Company’s enterprise were gleaned. The building presents a handsome appearance to the passer-by. It is built wholly in concrete, tlio walls being reinforced, and it occupies an area of 109 ft. x Jo2ft. That it is no jerry-built structure will be gathered from the fact that the amount of the contract was £SOOO, and the result of the work is that Ngaere claims—, and-quite rightly, too—the possession of the most up-to-date and convenient cheese factory that stands in Taranaki to-day. Messrs Boon Bros., of New Plymouth, are the contractors, and they have made u splendid job of it. Had it not been for the very unseasonable weather experienced during the past couple of months the factory would be occupied to-day in the manufacture of cheese, but it will he a week or two yet before everything is in good working order. On Friday the wheels of the machinery in the old factory which stands alongside were running, preparatory to the opening of the season to-day. The supply of milk will not bo extraordinary for a week or two, by which time the new premises will .be in readiness.

IN AND OUT. Approaching the building, it is noticeable that preparations are being made to have the road well metalled. A man has been breaking stones for some weeks, but in the state of the mud it would be useless to lay the material down. “It might as well be thrown into the river,” said Mr W. Morrison, the chairman of directors, who accompanied the party. “It would soon disappear from view!” he concluded pointedly. The first striking point ' about the factory is the sign picked but on the parapets in 15-inch lettering: “1914, Triumph” above one receiving stage, and “1914. Cheese” above the other, while just below and equally prominent appears; “Ngaire Dairy Company, Ltd.” Access to the building is gained from a door on the north side opening directij into the making room, which is a line big place 71ft x 59ft; Here provision is made for twelve vats, 18 x o x 20. As showing that the directors have an eye to future business, it is as well to point out that whereas the capacity of the vats in the old factory was 9100 gallons, the new one will Ih> able to deal with 4000 gallons more il required. I he features of this room are many. i hero is a (j-feot dado of cream-glazed tiles surmounted by a 11-in el i band ol green, which gives the room a . unique and finished appearance. AWnig both the sijto walls are the whey drains, which fare of 18 gnage tinned eopper. .running the whole length of 1 lie by the way, has a natural full of six inches from to omT!*| These drains convey the whey to,an enormous vat, also constructed a" tinned copper, which is capable of 'nohling no loss than 8000 gallons, h'roru this vat, which is in a room off the making room, the whey ,v pumped to the separators for a plant

■ for butter making situated alongside. This is at the back of the building, and provision hag been n*ido for receiving stage for milk, which, should it be refused for cheese, can be taken in and put through the separators. Here also is a freezing chamber for the butter supply and a concrete tank from which coAl water may he drawn. From the leaking room access is provided to the ■wfciueroom (25 x 22). and the boilcjfoom (25 x 16), and also to the coal hunker and to a very accessary adjunct hg the form of a Jim 1 bathroom, engine-room is a I ! -horse <rye engine and a i[aslant freßer, the power being supplied from aBS-horse-powor boiler, from the jy4l-known Murray linn, in Wanganui. lAt the hack of this there is the directors’ rroom which has been builfj with a view to being out of; the general run and .sound of the machinery, and here is the office. Going back again toAio makingroom, it should lie jpd that an entrance is the curingroom (62 x 40), which is fitted up with shelves of sufficient space to store 3000 cheeses, while there is further room for shelving for another 1000. The Louvre system of ventilation is in force, the iron-framed windows opening from the top and the bottom. In this connection, the matter of the ventilation of the makingroom is worthy of record. There is a ventilating roof which allows steam and foul air to escape, this being covered with 4-inch wire netting which prevents birds getting under cover and building their nests. The packing-room at the hack of the cur-ing-room has been designed with a view to the interests of the industry, the ventilation and conveniences being especially good. The whole of the drainage and the storm water run s away to one point at the back of the building, and is carried in a 9-inch stone-glazed pipe right away from the factory. The water supply of the factory lias been well considered. At the hack is a 2000-gallon tank, from which water is supplied to the whole building, while a hot water supply is also available from the engine-room.

GENERAL. A lot could be written about this factory, did space permit. There is [the style of the roof over the making, room. It is carried without any support in the centre, and huge Oregon timber beams carry the necessary machinery. Then there is the arrangement for the suppliers to obtain their share of the whey at the tanks at the hack of the building. In the front there is the starter,room and the testing-room, and the saltroom, No room is .wasted, for under the .weighing stages are places for storing tlie rennet. The water supply conies from a crystal-clear stream close at hand, and is pumped from the engine-room. It is very satisfactory to know that this line building is a Straftord concern. Mr Blick drew up the plans, Messrs Boon Bros, carried out tlie work, having for the plumbing the capable firm of Smart Bros., while Mr Hale, also of Stratford, was the clerk of works. As the building stands to-day, the design and workmanship reflect great credit upon all concerned. Chairman Morrison and his co-directors, are . to he congratulated upon the very substantial ind modern cheese factory which they have erected. No doubt Mr Blick can be depended upon to draw np something even more satisfactory in die near future.