NORMANBY DAIRY COMPANY.

Taranaki Daily News, 10 August 1917, Page 7

NORMANBY DAIRY COMPANY.

ANNUAL MEETING, Tlie annual general meeting of shareholders in the Normanby Co-op. Dairy Factory. Co., Lid., was hold on Tuesday, Mr. J. C. Preston, chairman of directors, presiding over a fair meeting. '(DIRECTOR'S REPORT. The directors presented the following report:—

In presenting their report for the season 1910-17. your directors have pleasure in congratulating suppliers on a most successful year. Tho season's output, as you are aware, was purchase on behalf of the Imperial Government oi .Tp.miary 10 at Old. Prior to this date. "2510 crates of cheese had been shipped 011 open consignment to Messrs. Lovcll and Christina?, London, and this was commandeered by the Imperial authorities on its arrival in London. Negotiations are still proceeding to the price to be paid for tl»3 cheese, but no definite settlement has yet been arrived at. The services of the manager, Mr. A. J. Hopcroft, have been retained for the coming season, and we congratulate Mr. Hopcroft on the results of his excellent management. In October laat the company suffered a loss by the death of its secretary, Mr. J. A. Turton, and we desire to place on record our appreciation of hia services. Miss Amy Beamish, who was familiar nvilh tho company's business, waa appointed to succeed him. The export tax of %d per lb butter-fat levied on dairy companies lias given rise to much criticism, and we hope that the actions of our representatives will cause the Government) to find a more equitable basis of taxation in tho future if not to refund the amount already paid. Two members of the directorate Messrs J. S. Kiddle (late chairman) an'd S. Barrow resigned to take up military duties, and both are now on active service. We wish them a safe return. Mr. T. Dickson iwas appointed to fill tho vacancy caused by Mr. 'Riddle's resignation. Statistics.—Pounds of milk received, V2.:X'3,103; pounds of butter-fat, 408,339; average test, 3.34; number of cows, 2230; number 01 suppliers, 00; average yield of fat per cow. 2101b. Used for chcesemaking—Pounds of milk, 12,230,212; pounds of butter-fat, 4C4.533; cheese made (aOOtons 18cwt 3qr 121b], 1,250,512 lb: pounds of cheese from lib fat, 2.7; pounds of mill; to Mb cheese, D.73; average test. 3.810; cost of manufacture (including depreciation), .60d; cost per fb f.0.b., .78d. Used for butter-making— Pounds of milk, 10,891; pounds of'but-tr-r/at. 3000; average test, 4.38 per cent; quantity of whey, starter and creamery butter made (13tons 7cwt 2qr 111b), 29,0811b.

In moving the adoption of the report and baknce-iJie)et the chairman congratulated the suppliers on a most successful year. He referred to the disposal of tbe season's output mentioned in the report, and added: Word had now been received that a settlement had been arrived at the.Government paying 122s 6d per cwt., consignors to pay all charges, so that a still further payment may be expected. During the year the directors have deemed % advisable to dispose of the Hirstlands creamery and plant. Tho most serious question to be faced this coming season will bo that of storage, and the directors were negotiating with Mr. JRowo for the purchase of the large shed opposite the railway yards. They were aware that the company used this building last seaton, and it wr.3 found to be satisfactory and ha* been approved of by tbe oflieers of the Dairy Department. Tho supply of rnnnett will also be a matter for consideration, and the directors would urge suppliers to save every possible veil. ) ELECTION OF DIRECTORS. Mr. 11. I. Crocker was elected unopposed to fill ilr. Harrow's place. For the other two vacancies Messrs G. P. Spmtt, H. J. ■Ballantin?, T. Dickson, and W. G. Hane were nominated. A poll was taken and resulted as follows: R. J. Ballantino 2910, W. G. Cane 2547, G. P. Spratt 2419, and T. Dickson 1808. The first \m were declared duly elected.

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. Mr. R. A. S. Browne 'briefly addressed tlio meeting, conveying a request from the Taranaki Education Board that this factory should give some support to the work of agricultural instruction. He pointed out that there were two systems in vogue. The one involred a charge equal to 6d per ton on their cheese output and for this three or four lectures were given a year; the other was an assessment of Is per ton, and entitled all members of the company to attend nine or ten lectures or demonstration! given on some central farm on each oecasion as arranged by the directors. The latter had been found the most satisfactory, and meant approximately 'Os per supplier. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr. Gane, the meeting unanimously decided to ae«.:pt the Is per ton basis.

On the motion of Mr. Spratt, it was resolved that it be a recommendation to the directors that they purchase shares from any shareholder desiring to disposo of same at not more than 14s each.—Star.