PROPOSED MEW CHEESE FACTORY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXV, Issue 78, 6 April 1915, Page 6

PROPOSED MEW CHEESE FACTORY.

A meeting of suppliers to the Beaconsheld Road Creamery, a branch of the Midhirst Dairy Company's business, was held in the Stanley Road School on Thursday evening last, to the question of'clTeese-rnaking instead of butter as at present. . Mr Geo. Sangster was voted to the chair, and said he was pleased to see such a large gathering present, as it* showed the farmers were "'becoming alive to their own interests. It was, he said, especially gratifying to see the chairman of the Company and a number of directors in attendance, and he felt confident whatever resolution was carried that evening the directors would give it unbiassed consideration. He was also pleased to see Mr Grant, the Hairy Instructor from Hawera present, and although the Hairy Division did not advise farmers as to what commodity they should manufacture, he felt sure when they l '''decided on cheese Mr Grant's advice would be sought on many matters. The chairman also said he did not intend to weary the meeting with a lot of figures, but would call on Mr Sidney Pitt, who had spent a lot of time in getting information on the subject.

Mr I'itt, on risritg, said lie wished the settlers to clearly understand there was-no desire on his part to sever from the Midhirst Dairy Company. The creamery 'had forty suppliers and handled nearly 4000 gallons of milk daily in the flush of the seaSon, which, he maintained, was a sufficient quantity to run an admirable little cheese factory. It did not matter to them what course the Stratford suppliers took, nor what those who went to the main factory at Midhirst did. If Beaconsfield Road wanted cheese and stuck together they would get it. As far as the Midhirst Company was concerned, he thought it would ho a boon to the whole of the suppliers, as in twelve months' time they could all ascertain the payments made and decide lor themselves whether, it was worth their while changing altogether from butter to cheese, ltegarding the financial part of the business, Mr Pitt estimated that roughly the building and plant would cost about £2250. The creamery suppliers at present held £IBOO worth of shares in the company. These, ol course, would be worth very little, but lie felt sure the hank would advance the £2250. on the settlers taking up £22so'new shares, which could he paid for out of deductions from the milk, extending over a period of three years on the Company's present scale of repayments. This proposal.would mean that each supplier at present holding forty shares would take up a fresh fifty, and the Company would deduct 6s 8d per share per year for the three years, and then the factory was their Own. Mr Pitt strongly favored cheesemaking,and produced many arguments in favor of it. and finally moved a resolution': "That this meeting of suppliers is desirous of a cheese factory in place.of the present creamery, and that a deputation wait on the Company's directors and get them to start with the erection as soon as possible."

Thin was seconded by Mr Kneebono ancli carried. Messrs Sittigsfcer, Kneebone and Pifcfc were subsequently deputed by the meeting to wait on the directors and report Inter