DAIRY FACTORIES.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 August 1918, Page 7

DAIRY FACTORIES.

MELROSE COMPANY. The sixth annual ineeling of the -Melrose Co-operative Dairy Company, 'Ltd., was held at Hawera on Saturday." Mr T. Geary, chairman of directors, presided. The report stated, inter alia: During .ilie ye.ir a wJiey Ibutter plant and refrigerator were in-tailed at the factory, at a cost of £'MO. To Obtain the best results from our butter we .should also erect a small cool store. It has h?'en suggested that the company *ta,rt a co-operative store, and this matter will be brought I forward for your consideration. There has been a' diminution 1 ' of our supply, and this year's output is consequently >'2l tons less than last season's; owing to this find the advance in supply of all requisites, the cost of manufacture has increased" consideraibly After'having written off 10 per cent depreciations on buildings and plant, the balance will enable us to make a total payment of is 8d for the season. The services of our manager, Mi' ..I. Moody, have been retained for the coming season. The following statistics were attached to the report: Pounds of milk received, '2.171,70.1; pounds of butter-fat 81,674; cheese made (89 tons 12cwt. Oqrs. 151bs), :21H1,7101b5; pounds of milk to lib cheese from lib butter-fat, 2.45; average test, 'l.lo; cost of manufacture per lb. cheese, 1.03 d; cost of manufacture per lb cheese (including depreciation), 1.24 d; cost per lb f.0.b., l.G4d. The chairman mentioned that this was the first time that the output had been less than 100 tons. The prospects, however, for the coming season were bright, as there were more cows going to lie milked in the district.

The three retiring directors, Messrs deary. Xewall, and Wallace were reelected.

At, a meeting of the directors subsequently, Mr T. Geary was re-elected chairman.

Mr W. T. Willis was elected a director (subject (o his consent), vice Mr W. F. Wallace (resigned).

WHEXUAKURA COMPANY. The annual general meeting w.i= held on Saturday afternoon. Mr \V. H. Southcombc presided over an attendance of 21 suppliers. The annual report stated that last season's output of cheese was purchased by (he Imperial Government at lOd per 11) for first grade, and o]d for third grade, f.0.b., ocean :-tcainer, which price may be regarded a.; satisfactory; but (he heavy jnereasc in prices paid for storage, insurance, and supplies generally, minimises any advantage over the price received for the previous season's output. Payments made.for butter-fat for the season total Is (id. and the balance standing to the credit of appropriation account will allow of a further payment of 4d per lb. At the last annual meeting it was decided, on certain condition?, to continue running the Westholm creamery, but owing to tho failure of one of the guarantors to carry out the conditions. agreed upon, the directors decided, at the request of the other suppliers, to close the factory, which was done early in the season. Representations have been made to the directors to re-open the place, and assurance given of a fair supply of milk, and directors, therefore, recommend that thrplace be re-opened. The following figures showed a summary for the season ID]7-18: Pounds of milk received, i>,753,1i9,->: pounds of butter-fat received, 2.'>7,9!)2; average test, 3.80; pounds of creamery butter made, 2,0f)4; pounds of whey and starter butter made, 1!>,;j14: cheese made, 32 tons newt. lqr. 211b*: pounds of cheese to lib butter-fat, less 2 1 /. per cent, shrinkage, 2.77; pounds of milk to lib cheese 0.-2:>.

Messrs Boycr, Kendall and Back were elected directors. There were siv nominations for the three vacancies. Mr J. K. Mitchell was appointed auditor. A deputation consisting of Messrs Southeombe, Hnneyfield and Turner, asked that the Westholm factory be reopened. They undertook (hat the necessary number of cows would be forthcoming. They were assured that the factory would be opened when (he season began.

Jn reply to a question tTie chairman said he could not tell supplier,! when the balance of pay-out would be made. In the previous season they had only to pay for 28 days in the freezing stores, whereas in IMS there were three months storage. There were (10,000 crates to be shipped. The balance would bo paid as soon as received. He added that there was also a refund of charges made by the West Coast Freezing Co. He was sure the total pay-out would be ns good as other factories.

At the request of members, Mr Powdrell Addressed the meeting on the dry ■milk subject, on the lines of the remarks at the conference of delegates in Hawera. He said that the scheme would be costly, and would consequently need a larje capital. 'He said that the YVVikato delegates came back with unbounded faith in Ihe project. He briefly described the process of manufacture anil said (hat th.-> project was out of the question for small companies. He quoted from the report of a large meeting held in the Waikato. All factories would shortly be asked if they would contribute to the cost of sending delegates to America..' He considered that even if a company did not go in for the scheme they must all benefit, because if cheese were in short supply, prices would rise on the Home market, It was advisable to send representfljj.ivcs 'tc, America so as to get particulars of the latest machinery available. Tile cost for each factory would be very small. There was no part, of New Zealand which j would be so favorahlc v.-- Taranaki, and I on this coast, because there were mimjirons factories, ■..ekw together, roads I were f.,;00i1. and . the Hfln'o cows could easily be secured.

In reply to a supplier, ho said ho had boon advised that hydro-electric power was not considered practicable. Tiie question was raised by a supplier asking if they should go on'savins the veils? Mr (Powdrell said that' they wanted everyone to continue doing so. He told (he meeting of Ihe dinicnitros experienced by (he Rennet rompimy. He added (hat Mr Cooper, at Mangiitoki. a thoroughly practical man, had txken up the matter and was making very good rennet. Last year's experience was not very satisfactory. They must endeavor to make rennet in the Dominion.--Star.

MET.LS. The annual general meeting was held at. the Mokoia Ifcll n n Monday. There were 23 suppliers present, Mr. C. J. Tlawken, chairman of directors, presiding". The annual report stated that owing

io nearly oiie-th.ird of last season's output, which was Shipped on" open • consignment, having realised 123 a per cwt, the iiiml pay-out on 10NJ..17 butter-fat reached Is IO.Jd. This season's cheese wui purchased by the Imperial (lovernment at l(Jd per lb. f.ob., and, although a large quantity is still in store, the '•.'■''■'('in 'J advances made by the GovPiiiir.jnt has saved'us any anxiety regarding finance. After providing for 5 ]ici- cent, interest on shares, writing off V l /; per cent, from buildings, and 10 per cent, for plant, the ihalan.ee at credit, of appropriation account will foe sufficient Io -bring the payment for the season up to is fljil. The services of our manager (Mr. 'D. Campbell) have been retained fcr the coming season! Mr. Scott dins been appointed (branch manager at AVhakamara,

Tlie following statistics were attached to the report:—Pounds of milk received, 7.717,798: pounds of butter-fat, 206,1*70; average teat. 3.888. Used for cheese-making: Pounds of milk, 7,»58,002; pounds of butter-fat, 290,104;, cheese made (SiM tons 0 cwts. 3qrs. 0 lbs). 7.12,7301b?: pounds of milk to lib cheese, 1004; pounds of cheese from lib butter-fat 2-oi); average test, 3.53 ; cost of manufacture per l.b, 1.08(1; cost of manufacture per lb (including depreciation), 1.2'f1; cost "per Ib.fo.b. (including depreciation), LOW Used for but-ter-making: (Pounds o. milk, 158,808; pounds of Ibutter-fat, 6'OBG; pounds of butter made (3 tons lewt. 3qrs. ISlbls), 6931.

In moving the adoption of the report and 'balance-sheet, the chairman said that since'tne 'balance-sheet was printed advice had been received that the .West Coast Refrigerating Oomapny had made a refund of charges amounting to £363. This amount would increase tho payout by about Jd, and make the total pay-cut Is 9 2-5 d

A circular was received from Mr. Buckeridge, secretary of the committee appointed to go into the question of securing information regarding the dried milk industry, asking the company to share in the necessary expenses, After some little discussion, it was resolved that the company agree to the proposal and will .pay their share of the expenses. Mr. C- J. Hawk-en was appointed delegate to represent the company.

There were four nominations for three the Board. On a ballot being taken Messrs Tidswelj, Bell and Haybittle were declared eleotedMr. H. A. Lcnnon was rs-elected at t-iie same fee as last year. The chairman stated that veils would be received as last year. It was resolved that 2s Gd each he paid, as before. It was decided to open tho factory on August 1 at Mokoia, and later at Whakamara.