MIDHIRST DAIRY FACTORY CO.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 60, 23 July 1907, Page 3

MIDHIRST DAIRY FACTORY CO.

ANNUAL MEETING. The. annual meeting of the Midliirst Dairy Factory was held in the Midhii'sl Public Hall on Monday. Mr A. Brown occupied the chair. UKI'OUT AND BALANCE-SHEET.

The secretary read the minutes of the last annual meeting, which were adopted. The report congratulated members on the most successful year since the forI ion of the company. The milk re-

ceived iucreased from l!).000,01(id>s in to 2.3,003,104 ib in 1000-07; average test rose from 3.08 to 4.01; butter fat from 705,137 to 1,005,404; butter made from 882,080 to 1,10!),121; and overrun reduced from 11.01 to 10.30. The balance-sheet showed a surplus of ClOli.'l 10s 3d. sufficing for a further payment of one penny per lb. on butter fat delivered from October to Mnv_ inclusive. Suppliers will then have received payment at the following rates: .Tunc, lid: July. Is: August, Is: September, lid; October to May lO'/.d. The working account showed manufacturing expenses £44.50 14s sd, of which wages ClO7l 3s fid, boxes £O7l 13s sd, requisites C 473 15s 3d, repairs and re-

npwnls 1353 (Is 1(1. and depreciation i; 77:? (is M were the principal items. Sol'iii" ami administrative charges tola iW .1*1530 7s 7d. Payments to suppliers amounted to C 40,223 -1-. Tlie principal receipts were: From butter tr,D.iWI Ss ill; Tnittev milk, £2B 2s Gd. Tlio chairman, ill presenting the bal-ance-sheet and report, said there were a few points lie would like to draw attention to. Last season a number of buyers were around, and it ivas decided to sell; 10% d was oll'ered, at which price the directors considered it best to sell the summer output, and 10% d for the win Lei output. No complaints had been received about tlie produce, which spoke very well for the stall'. (Applause.) Ho did not think that there was any cause for anxiety iu the coming season. The alteration now being made to the factory really meant u thorough renewal, ami it would save future expense. The water power had not cost thulu £5 for repairs, which spoke highly for the scheme. The dilfcrein lactones, he said, had betji practically working iu the dark regarding prices ou tlie Home market. It was, therefore, decided to send a man Howe to study ihe interests best suited foi producers. Mr Ciias. Jiackie was sent Home for that purpose, and now a cable could put tlie producers into touch with the Home market. Kcgarding tlie cheese question, lie was pleased with the decision to retain butter making, it had been decided to erect a cheese factory at Tariki, but he was sure both would be able to live. Concerning the Hairy Factory Employees* Association he thought that tlie employees had been ill-advised, 'there was never a time when an increase of wages had been asked for, and everything considered, lie thought that the facloiy employees had been well treated ill the past. .Still, the new system would mean uniformity of wages. Dairy inspeclors would soou be appointed, and it would mean "Look out!" (A Voice; Let us hope the inspector will know a cow from a horse.) He thought if the dill'ereut companies would be more open ill their dealings, co-operation would assume more of the co-operative principles that would work for the beuelit of all i-omcrncil. A word of praise was due lu the manager. Air Kleeman, for the way that the i'u:l; of improvements to the factories were being carried out.

ill' W. Erckhardt seconded. Mr Cuthbert asked regarding ''farm account," and it was pointed out tlmt tin; farm luul not only paid its way, but Jiad made a s'ight profit.

He the carting account, it was pointed out that this item should be put into the working account instead of being shown as a separate account. Mr Cuthbert said that a combination of factories within a radius of ten miles would mean a great saving of secretarial, actuarial and also directors' fees.

The chairman pointed out that amalgamation wou'd mil pay. Midhirst was pli-nty big enough, and the suggestion would be unworkable.

In answer to a question regarding the new scale of wages, the chairman pointed out that it would mean a big increase.

Mr Porrilt moved that share purchase account profit be earmarked to pay off Mr Mackay's mortgage.—Seconded' bv Mr Cuthbert.

Speaking to the motion Mr Ttiild Said In* thought a motion of tin's kind should be done l>v notice of motion, and not be dealt with offhand.

Tin* motion was altered to read: '"That tins meeting recommends to the directors that this account Ih> left to the directors to deal with."'

The question was asked whether the work of the creameries could be done by contract. The chairman said at present he could not give an opinion. The balance-sheet and report were adopted unanimously. The election of officers to fill three vacancies 011 the directorate resulted:— Hathaway, 371; Porritf, 351; Skegdewcll, 342; Lerke, *208; Tiaskni, 1S1: Cameron. 170. Messis. Hathaway. Purritt, and Skedgewell returned thanks. Mr. Penn was elected auditor. Mr Hathaway brought up the question of the manager working all the winter at the various creameries. Tn concreting the factory this year he had saved fully 11230. ITe moved that the manager be granted a bonus of ,C 25.

Mr Peterson seconded. . Mr IT. Richmond moved that it be increased to C3O.

Seconded by Mr Walker. The amendment was carried. Mr Kleeman returned thanks for the Vote.

Mr C'nthbert moved, and Mr "Evans seconded, that the chairman be granted a bonus of .C3O in addition to the ,€2O already voted.—Carried. Mr Porritt said he would like to move that the chairman's salary be increased to CoO. The sum should not have to be voted. Seconded by Mr Cuthhert. Mr Kidd supported tiie motion. Mr Jfathaway moved that the salary be C4O, as he did not think that things would be always so prosperous. Seconded bv Mr Viekers.

.Mr Richmond moved that the honorarium be C 2."> for the vear. Seconded bv .Mr Eehhard.

The amendments were losl, and the motion carried, "that the chairman receive CoO salary.''

Mr Sexton moved a hearty vote of thanks to the Stratford factory for the true spirit of co-operation shown in making the Midhirst company's butler whilst the hitter factory was under repairs. Carried unanimously. The chairman referred in a touching manner to the death of Mr McDonald, who died during the year. lie had studied hU business well, and would have made his mark. He moved a vote of condolence to the family. Carried unanimously.

Mr Hathawnv spoke regarding directors' expenses, and moved that directors be paid lo.s per meeting. Second by Mr J. Carter.

Mr V,. Jackson moved an amendment that the directors receive 7s per meeting. The amendment was carried. A vol-- of thanks to the chairman i' n eluded the meeting.