PRESENTATION

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 248, 25 November 1909, Page 1

PRESENTATION

TO AIR. J. W. FOKKMAN. A pleasant function took place at likornngi on Tii,.,day eveniii" wlidr the settlers of the district, lemlcrcd' a complimentary social and made a presentation to Mr. ,1. w. ].',„•, , „.,,„ from the first settlement of the district has been closely and piomiueiitlv connected with its affairs. He wa,-'chair-man of directors of Hie co-operative dairy factory since its inception, representative for the riding on the (.'lifton County Council (of which lie is chairman), also cliairnian ami one of the promoters of the National Dairy Association, and chairman of directors of the Taranaki Producers' I'rcezing Company—which must in its way lie something of a record of public service. His career has been as successful as it lias been varied and long, and by the conscientious and efficient discharge of the duties appertaining to these important offices lie has earned the esteem not only of those amongst whom lie lias lived for the past thirty years, ,but of the people of the province and the whole dominion. Recently Mr. Foreman was overtaken by illness', and on medical advice had to relinquish most of his positions'.

The hall was well filled, and Mr. Faull presided. The first part of the proceedings consisted of a musical programme which was contributed by the following:—Mrs. Haines, Mrs. Scully, Misses Nops and Jensen, and Messrs. Scully, H. Joll, Gazzard, Farmer, Beckbessin<rer .and Mark Levy. Each item was well received, particularly those by Mrs. Haines (a singer of no mean order)! and Messrs. Gazzard and Farmer. The presentation took the form of a valuable gold watch and chain, appropriately inscribed, and was made by Mr James Hine, senr., who for a considerable number of years was closely associated with Mr. Foreman in the 'management of the local dairy factory. In the course of his remarks, .Mr. Hine dw°lt on the early history of the factory, the difficulties that confronted them, the company's development, and the succe-s ultimately achieved, incidentally remarking that he did not think there was a factory in the whole of Taranaki where suppliers had been paid .better prices or been more liberally treated in regard to share capital. In a very large degree he attributed this result to Mr. Foreman, who had ever been a tower of strength. He paid a tribute to his worth as a settler and public man, and concluded a graceful speech by expressing the hope that Mr. Foreman would be spared for a good manv vcars yet and given health to resume "some'at least of the duties lie had relinquished. (Applause.)

In acknowledging the gift, Mr. Foreman said 'he found it difficult to adequately express appreciation of the kind things that had been said concerning him, and of the feelings that prompted the gift. He traversed the history of the factory since it was acquired from the late Mr. ,1. C. George. Since the inception of the company the prices paid for butter-fat. compared favorably with those paid by any other factory'in the district. For the past seven years, for instance, the prices were as follow:

Ten years ago, of course, the prices w>ro not so good. He was afraid if they uad to revert to them now many people would lie unable to make ends meet. There had been considerable improvements in lhe process of manufacture and appliances during the past, decade. The dairying industry was greatly indebted to science. Without the 'separator and refrigerator they would not obtain the results they were now getting. He referred to the assistance given to the industry ,by the Government. The late .Sir John Mackenzie was noted for his land legislation, but the speaker | thought that when future historians wrote up the period in which Sir John .lived they would agree that the greatest i.work he performed was the conception and passing of the Dairy Industry Act. ;Jn making grading and freezing compulsory he had done the best thing possible for the industry and the country. Later the Government, by appointing instructors, etc., had helped the industry very largely. Mr. Foreman went on to say that it had been a pleasure to him to work in connection with the factory, because he had always' felt that shareholders had confidence in him and that he was doing tho best he could for them. .He was aware that lie had been unable to do all he should have done; he had made mistakes, but they were never wilful ones. He proceeded to refer to the work of the National Dairy Association, and the benefits it had conferred on the industry right throughout the country, especially in the saving in freights and charges and hi bringing about better rail and coastal steamer conditions. Ho als'o spoke of the benefits accruing from the Taranaki Freezing Company, the history of which lie traced, remarking that though the Tikorangi Company had £2OO worth ot shares it had never cost the latter a penny in cash; the capital had been paid out of profits. In his connection with tho various companies he had done his best for the farmers. He felt that dairymen were entitled to everything they could get out of the industry, for they deserved it. So far as the Tikorangi factory was concerned, the success' of it was due more to Mr. Hine than himself, and everyone of the early shareholders would readily bear him out in the fact. Mr. Foreman concluded by saying that whatever lie had dnne.smail or great, hud been a pleasure to him, and the manifestation of their appreciation that nijjht had more than recouped him for auv effort nut forth on their behalf, llr. Foreman resumed his seat amidst vociferous applause. Supper was then handed round, and a very successful and enjoyable function brought to a close.

Year. Price of butter per lb. Netted foi Butter-fat, per lb. 11103 10.20 0.87 H)04 0.08 9.4 1005 . 9.41 8.84 1000 10.20 10.10 1007 10.48 10.42 1008 10.5 10.0 1009 11'.15 10.07