STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. 11. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will teoeive prompt attention.}

DAIRY FACTORY MEETING. Stratford, July 30. The 22nd annual general mee'tinn- of shareholders of the Stratford Farmers' Co-operative Association was held today, Mr. R. Dingle presiding, there being about fifty present. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (which has alreadv been published), the chairman remarked that the balance-sheet was one of the best in the history of the company. The company had consigned through a "cheese company (Lonsdale and Co), and gave details of the transaction, the offer being infinitely better than any other company. Lonsdale agreed to "advance Is (id on all butter, whether in stock or on board. It was good business. Last year they sent salted, but Lonsdale's preferred it unsalted. They met Lonsdale's by sending a certain proportion unsalted, but after negotiations Lonsdale's allowed them to use their own discretion, and they had decided on salted butter. This was good business and meant thousands more to the factory suppliers. He believed the man on the land should get all he could (applause). The capital account had gone back each year, and would probably become worse if they did not make any effort to attend to this. The repairs and renewal account looked very heavy, £ISOO, about double that of last year. This was brought about by reinstating the engines, about £4OO, whilst pulling down the old refrigerating machinery would cost between £2OO and £250! These items were charged against the butterfat. They had held three meetings during the year. One was for casein. Another meeting had been called concerning the manufacture of cheese, and in January he hoped they would be able to Bettle the question for all time. The directors had arranged for cartage, at about £IOOO per annum, which excluded coal. He had no wish to say much on the butterfat levy. There was an impression that the Government would refund the whole amount, but he would not care to bet on the matter. The directors had resolved to appoint a night watchman to the main building at £IOO per annum. He thought the insurance company might pay a lttle of cost. With regard to the Robaon road creamery, the suppliers approached the company and requested a cheese plant. The directors considered the proposal, and suggested that the suppliers should bear the coat, £4OOO. The suppliers thought the burden was too heavy, and approached the Eltham company, and had received a little better consideration. Robson road had offered to take up £2500 and leave the remainder to the Stratford company. He admitted they had been a bit drastic, but he explained that the terms suggested by the suppliers would take 14 years to clear the £4OOO, and in that time there may be manv changes. They had had 1988 boxes of butter on the Rotorua when she was torpedoed. The butter had been well insured, and was shipped and forwarded to London. Their interest charges had totalled £l3O, whist the interest received was £l7O, a fair sum to their credit.

Mr. Lochhead wished to know why in 19IG-17 they had 34,9461b of cream against 8955 in 1915-16.

The secretary explained that last year the creameries received a considerable amount more of home-separated cream. In answer to Mr Rawles, the chairman stated that the overrun seemed large. Last year the greater part of the butter was unsalted. this year it was salted. A difference of 1 per cent, meant a good deal to all, probably over £IOOO. But there was a percentage of 2 in favor of salted butter, and the overrun was on top of this.

The question of donating butter to the New Plymouth Patriotic Society was next reviewed. The secretary read three letters from the front in which thanks were returned for the thoughtful action in Taranaki forwarding butter to the men in the trendies.

The chairman said they all appreciated the tone of the letters, and was sure they all desired to keep the boys in the trenches supplied with butter. ' Mr. Lyford agreed. They could not do too much for the men at the front.

In answer to a query as to why Stratford forwarded it to New Plymouth, the chairman stated it was being sent away from there in small tins. He did not mind who sent the butter so long as they got it in the trenches. The adoption of the report and ba-lance-sheet was seconded by Mr. F. Ranford and carried.

CHEESE AND VELLS. On resuming after lunch letters were read from the Rennet Company and Bell Block Company regarding veils. The former irltimated that they were manufacturing rennet, and were prepared to pay Is Cd for first grade veils, Is for second-grade, and Cd for third grade. Bell Block stated that they were prepared to pay up to 5/- for each veil, according to grade. The letters were received, the chairman remarking that it was hardly worth the bother to the farmer to save the veils at the price of Is 6d. MORE CAPITAL WANTED. The secretary read out a list of payments they had to meet. He showed the payments made to the Box Company, freezing works, etc The chairman suggested that there was a probability of a further payment being available before the next few months, and he thought it would be a good idea to place the amount to the capital account. Mr. Leltmann moved: "That payments for butterfat for last season, if possible, be brought up to Is 8d per lb. In the event of the whole or any part of the butterfat tax being refunded to the company, such to be paid to the suppliers. Any further surplus that may arise to be' placed to the credit of the capital account.—Seconded by Mr. F. Ranford, pro forma. The chairman said they had only £SOOO in the bank. The motion meant another %d per lb, and that meant another £3OOO. If they had the money they would pay out: if not. of course. there was no ply out. Evidently some were not satisfied with what they got. If the Government paid back the tax they would get Is SJd per lb. He then requested a unanimous vote on the question, and being put, it was carried without one dissentient. DIRECTORS.

Six nominations were required for four vacancies (three immediate, and one during the year), the voting being as fol lows:—J. F. Falder 63, R. H. Gatcuby 50, A. Lochhead 49, H. N. Silk 38 (elect cd), J. Lehmann 37, J. Blaekstoek 22.

The successful candidates each returned thanks. ■ CHAIRMAN'S HONORARIUM. The chairman was voted an honorarium of £75, with £25 war bonus. Mr. Dingle, in thanking suppliers, said that his position, despite the bonus, was worse than before the war, that was as tar as the bonus was concerned. GENERAL Mr. T. 11. 'lYnn was re-elected auditor. The question of voting bonuses to the secretary, manager, etc., was brought up. Mr. Dingle disapproved of this. The directors were responsible to the shareholders for the payment of their employees, and it would be a dangerous precedent if they allowed these matters to be discussed and decided by the suppliers. DEPUTATIONS. Three deputations waited on the meeting. The first was by Messrs J. \X. Boon (president), Jones, and T. Ranford, representing the A. and P. Association, and requesting a grant of £OO equal to 5s per supplier, to the asso. ciation's prize list. After a short discussion a vote that the grant be favorably received was lost. Mr. R. Browne, agricultural instructor, suggested that the grant of £3O made by the company to the Education Board should be renewed this season. He received a patient hearing, but it was apparent that the meeting did not favor the idea, and a motion by Mr. Rawles "That £3O be granted" was lost by a big majority. Mr. Dewhirst, representing the New Zealand Farmers' Bacon Company, desired that the shareholders should get the company to call a special meeting to allow the suppliers an opportunity of discussing the question, and inviting the bacon eomapny to send a representatve. A recommendation to that effect was then carried. The usual votes of thanks to the outgoing committees, etc., concluded the meetin.. GENERAL.

The Ladies' Patriotic Committee on Saturday obtained very satisfactory results. The weather was far from being ideal, but the attendance of country visitors was good. The various amount's were: Mart, £ls 9s; tea rooms £7; flower stall £0 12s Sd. ,

There are many useful things to admire (and buy) in Mr. C. E. James' warehouse. In the windows there is Doulton ware that would please mother to have as a present. For poor old father there is a wide range in briars and G.B.D. pipes, and cigars of varying degrees of strength and prices. Sister Susie would be enraptured with one of the brooches or bangles displayed, whilst the "book-worm" of the family would also be pleased to handle and read sorm of the latest fiction offering here.* I "A thing r* beauty is a joy for ever,'' and the place to secure beautiful tilings is in an up-to-date jewellery stock. Mr. Ben. J. Peters, of Stratford, in announcing the success attending his sale effort, which is now in full swing, lays stress on the class-value of the bargains now offering, and whether it be to-day, to-morrow, or the next day., you are sure to have the choice of quality goods, nothing else. The romantic side of life must not be lost sight of, as romance has a direct bearing on our stability. Young men are requested to fall in love and then into Ben. .1. Peters' sale for n good engagement ring. A nice choice in presents awaits reciprocating young ladies.*