MIDHIRST DAIRY COY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXVII, Issue 74, 27 July 1915, Page 2

MIDHIRST DAIRY COY.

20th ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Company was held in the Public Hall, .Midhirst. yesterday afternoon, when Mr William Skedgwell presided over a huge meeting. I On the motion of Mr Kendrick, seconded by Mr Reesby, the balance-sheet was taken as read. In moving the adoption of the re•port and balance-sheet, the Gbaimiaii iexpressed his pleasure in having to re•port a record season both as regards output and the price obtained. The directors at the outset decided to eonsign, although the prospects of getting I adequate shipping was uncertain owing to the requirements of the AN ar 'Office for transports. "However, very 'little trouble had been experienced. The butter bad landed in good condition, and the Company bad received the highest praise for the quality ol the butter. The increased output had necessitated enlargement of the factory land the installation of additional machinery. The cost of these alterations 'was i:S8(), of which one third had been 'charged in this year's expenses; the I balance would be paid by similar in'stalments during the next two years. He congratulated the Company on the very successful year. He added that Midhirst was third on the list for grading. THE STORK.

Mr J. M. Shotter drew attention to the amount of profit the stole account showed. He would like to see more details given as he was of opinion'that the store was not run on the right lines. Many farmers got articles at other places cheaper than they could .at the store: this should not he so. If the store could not get stuff cheaper than outsiders then the store should be done away with. Somebody was making bargains at the expense of the' farmers, and therefore the store should he either ended or mended.

The Chairman pointed out that the mending would mean more expense and larger buildings. Other suppliers spoke, and most of them seemed of opinion something should be done.

Mr F. Keightley advocated dealing in bulk.

Mr Pedcrsen advocated direct importing, and stated that the directors were willing to meet the suppliers in the matter of mending or ending the store.

Asked if he would move in the matter, Mr Sliotter stated that he merely spoke to open a 'discussion, and as a warning to the directorate. Mr Cuthbert raised the question of the directors' expenses, which amounted to £7-1 odd.

A member of the gathering replied that he thought the business was done

very cheaply for £74, which statement was heartily endorsed bv the gather-

Mr Cuthbert moved that no " supplier be allowed to take a box of butter while he was supplyino-. He pointed out that some suppliers did so, and having Rood butter, turned their cows on swedes so that those who got butter Inter got "slinking" sweedv butter.

Mr Shotter seconded. An amendment to the effect that suppliers be allowed to buy butter while supplying conditionally on paying the price ruling at the time was moved by Mr Kendrick.

Mr Symons seconded, and the amendment was carried by an overwhelming majority. Mr Cnthert's motion was put and lost on the voices. QUESTION OF CHEESE.

Mr S. Pitt moved that a motion be passed a s an instruction from the meeting to the directors to go into the question of cheese, and submit to ft special meeting of shareholders their proposal, such meeting to be held before the end of the present year. The mover pointed out that much desolutory conversations and arguments for and against cheese were of no use. and the only way was for the directors to go into the question and settle it one way or the other. A depression after the war would cause butter to be looked upon as a luxury and cheese as a necessity. South Taranaki was making cheese and some factories in North Taranaki intended to or had followed them. Mr Shotter seconded.

Mr Kendrick agreed with Mr Pitt's proposal, as discussion would do no harm, although great care would have to lie exercised, as the high price of cheese was no doubt riding on account of the quantity consumed in the trenches.

Mr l'itt's motion was carried on a show of hands, only a few opposing. GENERAL. On the motion of Mr Sangster, seconded by Mr Pedersen. Mr T. 11. Penn was re-elected auditor.

I Mr Su/.ens gave notice that he would move at the next meeting that the directorate make some provision for recording the votes of shareholders who could not attend on account of sickness.

j The election of three members for the directorate resulted in the re-elec-[tion of Messrs A. Wright find KKoightley, and the election of one new member. Mr .1. M. Shot-tor. A perusal of the halance-shee.t showed that the sum of £7(5,665 Ms 3d was paid to suppliers during the season. Wages amounted to £'2OID, railage to £sll. and £.IOO was voted to the Empire Defence Fund. Butter sales and in store were of a value of £103,6-12. On the year's working .a balance of £18,040 was due to the suppliers, thus making a further payment of to suppliers. • While the election of directors was going; on Mr [•'niton, Resident Dairy Instructor, gave a short address on cow-testing. He pointed out the advantages of the sclmme. and expressed

disappointment at the failure in Mid-' hirst to take it up. He said there | were upwards of 10.000 cows supplying Midhirst, but when the testing] was in vogue, <miy, 400 cows were test I ed, representing fourteen herds. Some objected because of the time spent in weighing and sampling tin? milk. ! "Mure time is lost in milking cow* that don't pay." said tlie speaker with emphasis. Mr Fulton also touched on the question of breeding pedigree stock in New Zealand. America would j I buy as much good pedigree stuff as New Zealand liked to send'along, and there was no reason why New Zealand should not do so. The tendency was to buy grade bulls and leave pedigree stuff alone. That was a mistake, because a pedigree sire would improve a 1 grade herd, whereas a grade sire would not improve a herd, but would perhaps be detrimental to it. Mr Fulton was accorded a patient and attentive hearing, for which he thanked the] meeting. On the motion of the chair-j man. a vote of thanks to Mr Fulton was passed with acclamation.