OAONUI DAIRY COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 25 August 1915, Page 6

OAONUI DAIRY COMPANY.

ANNUAL MEETING. There was a, good attendance of shareholders at the annual meeting of the Oaouui Dairy Company, which was held in the Oaouui hall yesterday. Mr. J. C. O'Rox-ke, chairman of directors, presided, REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET, In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, the chairman 'said that, he, like the rest of them, probably, was disappointed with the financial result of the season, due to the fact that they had sold instead of consigning. Their forethought, however, was not quite as good as> their calculations, for Iby, selling they calculated that they would be able to pay out Is 3d, and they just about succeeded in doing so. When the directors received an offer of 6 7-lfld they were unanimous m considering it a, good price, and at time the majority of suppliers thought the same. Unfortunately it had proved otherwise. Regarding the present season, he considered the directors would have a difficult problem to decide the best policy to pursue. Though, probably, the majority of the suppliers would favor open consignment, he considered that if a good price was offered, they should, despite last season's experience, accept it, for if the war came to an end before Christmas, there might be a slump. They must congratulate the manager on the results obtained, which were the best that he knew of thi9 season. Mr. C. Jeffries seconded the motion, and the report was adopted without discussion.

The chairman moved that the surplus be dealt with as follows: Five per cent, interest to bo paid on subscribed capital, absorbing £2<32 7s 2d; 20 per cent, to be paid on milk supplied during the year, absorbing £4346 17a 3d; and fOOOto be written off depreciation. This would total £5197 4s sd. On being seconded by Mr. Hoskin, the resolution was carried. The following directors were elected unopposed:—Messrs 0. Cross (Arawhata Road), J. C. O'Rorke (main factory), J. Young, K. P. Malcolm, E. Jeffries, C. H. Pepperill and F. Hoskin. All but 0. Cross were members of the previous board. Mr. W. G. was reelected auditor. Mr. F. Hoskin brought up the question of suppliers to the Arawhata branch removing more whey than they were entitled to. Some suppliers from the top end of the road.had to go home often without a drop of whey. He understood that at last meeting it was decided to fine any supplier caught taking too much whey. Suppliers had been caught, but had not been fined, and he considered that tho penalty should be i enforced. The chairman considered that the speaker should have brought the matter ibeforc the directorate.

Mr. Cross thought that the only way to obtain satisfaction was to instal a whey-weighing machine. Personally, if he was short one day, he would make up for it the next. It was ridiculous to expect the manager to look after suppliers taking whey, and at the same time turn out a good article. The chairman did not think that it was worth while expending £2OO. They should enforce the fines decided upon at last annual meeting first. If this did not prove effective, then instal machines. He warned them that this was a time when they should economise. Messrs Malcolm and Hoakin mired that weighing machines be installed at cacti factory. It would be the only way of giving satisfaction. Messrs J. Young and Deegan moved, a3 an amendment, that the fines --ie inflicted, and if this does not prove effective, weighing machines be installed. In the course of discussion it was elicited that the fine was £l. Mr. Pentelow suggested that the fine for a first offence should be 10s, as any man caught would be piuiinhed by being' a marked man thereafter. After further diotu»sion, the amendment' was carried by 23 to 3. A letter was read from Mr. J as. Burgess, in connection with the Cow-testing Association. He pointed out that the amount of support afforded the association was so small, that almost all hope of continuing it had been abandoned. Warea suppliers had almost decided to go alone, but if a sufficient number were prepared to support the association, it would be kept going. As proof of the value of testing, lie slated that his.herd (including 20 per cent of first ealvers) produced £)7 f's B<l per head for milk supplied to the factory, and lie! saw no vensmi why the increase in the future should not be a-, great as in the past, provide:! weigWng and testing was continued. Mr. f. Tt. Pepperill comMm-e.l «•«*_ « won't! p;t;. the vMi>|>anv- to make tertin? a dmr-if on Uu- company as oilier lactone-- Tin.] •.lone. Tt was i]ku the (lireciniv;' liciioiarimii in l inei<-;i-i,-..l from "n to 10s pi'V meet iii'j. .Tlk- nun.,-, ■■v of ihe main f.icir.rv ! M"i". ] rallushnii >. > hivnuh i'.ii Flemin;'), and 1f: secretary ! M" - . Varkb«>n; fi't'e escl> granted a tauti; of £lO.