STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 October 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

'(From Our Own Correspondent.)' [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkina, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] BOOTH PRIVILEGES. Stratford, Oct. «. A case involving a small amount, but of considerable interest,, was ventilated at the S.M. Court' on Friday. It wa=s ft claim made by the Stratford Racing Club for £lO 7s, being balance due by E. Crabtree on the sale of privileges at the last January meeting of the club. Defendant secured the privileges for £IBO, which was reduced to £l5O by the club as a concession owing to the license being for six hours instead of eight as tn previous years. Defendant had a contra account for liquor supplied to the club, but the latter considered this unreasonably high. Defendant, on oath, stated that in fixing his prices he had to consider his expenses. The booth proved a financial failure. He had charged the same prices as were ruling at his hotel at Eltham. Messrs E. P. Webster secretary of the Taranaki Jockey Club) and A. Goldwater, wine and spirit merchant, tendered evidence. The former quoted prices of the main lines at New New Plymouth as follows, and Mr. Crabtree's changes are in parentheses: Colonial ale, per doz, quarts, 12s 6d (245); derated waters, 3s 6d (3s), lemonade, quarts, 8s (12s); whisky, 8s Gd (9s). At New Plymouth the caterer had to cart his stock half a mile, but there was no railage. Mr. Goldwater considered las for ale was a fair price, and lemonade at 8s a dozen. ' The other prices were fair. If at Eltham 2s was charged to ensure return of bottles, lis would be a fair charge. After hearing Mr. Goldwater, counsel had a short consultation, and then announced that the matter had been amicably settled. Mr. King represented the Racing Club, and Mr. Morrison appeared for Mr, Crabtree.

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. Those controlling the destinies of butter factories in Taranaki during the past two years have had an imcurable'tinie unlike the cheese factories. From appearances, the end of the journey is not in sight—that is as far as continuing, butter manufacture is concerned. In normal times butter factories have compared very favorably with the earnings secured by the cheese companies, but now with cliee3e being required by the Imperial Government, the cheese manufacturers have a much safer, if not better, product to handle than butter. Indeed, as far as the latter is concerned, the Dominion politicians can say with no degree of accuracy what butter will be required or what quantity will be shipped. On the other hand, if shipping space is available, cheese will certainly go forward.

In these circumstances the recent un- : rest of suppliers to the Midhirst and Stratford butter factories is not surprising, and it speaks well for the tact of the directors and patience of shareholders that the position is not worse. Mr. Dingle states there was a time when the Stratford Company had almost to go cap in hand and on their knees to the bank for a grant. Those times have passed and the factory has wiped out the liability of £20,000. From a small concern It has grown to one of the biggest and best factories in the province, and now, Ivhen on the highest wave of prosperity, these was a. probability of being submerged in a sea of discontent. This has been averted, and at the close of Monday's meeting the shareholders were in a much more contented mood than previously. This has been mainly secured by the judicious handling and leading of the meeting by the chairman. The carrying of the motion allowjng the factory or creameries to go in for cheese whenever the majority of suppliers there desired showed wisdom, and it will be passing strangle if after giving each creamery its fchoice in the matter the good feeling of the past does not once 'more permeate shareholders. Again it has been proved with other companies that the erection of dual plants is wise, as it allows a company to manufacture at shortest notice just what the market, thows to pay the best price. The position of the Midhirst company has hardly been «o fortunate. In the past the company has enjoyed some very successful years and the suppliers have prospered accordingly. They have bought in a big company, but unfortunately the geographical position of the main factory has been suoh that it has cut into what, for use of a better term, may tie called "other people's preserves." Some of the Midhirst suppliers were north of Tariki, and, although this article is not concerned in the history of either the Midhirst or Tariki companies, there are some »hareholdera of the former company who believe their territory is too unwieldy and that one or two outlying creameries might conveniently be merged into faotories nearer 'home. With Tariki nearer their farms it is perhaps only natural that the Tariki suppliers (Rugby road) should like to see cheese manufactured, but up to last meeting the vote of the Midhirst company was indecisive, and yet if the -Rugby road settlers break away they forfeit their values in the company. Tuna, after the meeting, turned down the financial proposals to permit the installation of cheese plants, made no bones about their intentions, and by financing amongst themselves, hope to have their cheese premises going in November. Pembroke road, or at least a portion, is doing likewise, and at the back of this impulsive step the fact is apparent that the prime factor j in this move is the fear that butter may be hung up through lack of shipping. Against this the chairman (Mr Sangster) assured the suppliers that the bottom was not out of butter, but, on the contrary, the prospects looked good, and an offer of Is 7d per lb had been made for October-November manufacture. The chairman declined to make any statement as to whether he had closed with the offer. In the winter months suppliers have had several offers made to them by sugar-of-milk, casein, Olaxo, etc.. but each in turn has been rejected. Then when the prospects of accepting cheese-making looked good the suppliers declined the financial proposals submitted. Truly this is a case of the old song, "He dunno 'ere 'e are!" The chairman was plainly a disappointed man at the last meeting and did not conceal the fact. What the future holds for the Midhirst Dairy Company is hard to say, but it may safely be stated that the Stratford company has weathered the storm of discontent and the present horizon shows no signs of further trouble just now.

GENERAL. After conducting the Stratford Band during the past twelve months, Mr. Goodwin Ford has found it necessary to resign. The band will not altogether lose the services of Mr. Ford, who hag

consented to continue in office until a successor has been appointed. The band is deserving of every encouragement, and the old members arc to be commended for sticking togtker and keeping the band going. It is pleasing to note that the members recognise the fine work Mr. Ford has accomplished during the past twelve mouths.

At a meeting of the Toko Road suppliers, Mr. Gatenby presiding, it was decided to go in for tlio manufacture of cheese, provided the main factory does likewise. This i 8 interpreted to* mean that the Toko Road creamery will be loyal to the Stratford Company and continue with butter or cheese, whichever is considered desirable by the main factory.

Information has been received in Tariki that the military authorities have decided to remove Privates Ernest and Lcn Hamblyn from the trenches and place them at base work. The firstnamed has been in the hospital for appendicitis.

Mr. C. E. James has just opened up some very appropriate and beautiful Christmas cards for sending to soldiers at the front, and friends in the Home Land. A very large and varied assortment is available but already a steady demand has set in, so those on the lookout for seasonable gifts of this description should lse no time in inspecting Mr, James' stock.