A GREAT INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 November 1921, Page 6

A GREAT INDUSTRY.

PROGRESS IN DAIRYING. - MODERN FACTORY AT BELL BLOCK. A PROGRESSIVE DAIRY COMPANY. THE OFFICIAL OPENING. “Whatever Bell Block does is done well,’’ has become a trite saying, and one that has proved time and again to be fully justified. Those who had the pleasure of being present at the opening of the new Bell Block factory on Saturday, after inspecting the magnificent, new structure that has just been erected by the settlers of that progressive district, were reminded of the truth of that saying, as they were at the luncheon subsequently in the hall. The shareholders of the company certainly deserved the congratulations tnat were bestowed upon them by various speakers for their) enterprise in erecting such a splendid building, ano’ also for their foresight in providing for the payment of a considerable portion, of its cost while the prices received for the produce were high. One speaker remarked that if they went through New Zealand they would not find a factory more suited to its purpose. It is indeed a splendid building, and marks a great advance on the old building, which had done duty for the past twenty-five years, and on the site of which it actually stands. It is a very substantiallooking structure* built of concrete, and giving every indication of the solidity of the dairying industry. Designed by Messrs. Percival and Messenger, it is lofty and spacious, and possesses every modern convenience that can tend to the economical working of dairy produce under the best and most sanitary conditions. The work was also executed by Mr. C. E. Robuc-k most faithfully and also expeditiously, as may be gathered from the fact that a start was made to demolish the old factory on May 2, and on August 22 cheese was being made in the new factory. The installation of the new machinery was effected by Messrs. Jelly man and Forbes. A COMMODIOUS BUILDING. The building consists of one big gable, about 136 ft long by 60ft wide, with a 12ft. stud, divided into three compartments, the larger of which is 89ft long, and acts as the cheese and butter-mak-ing room. The principals of the roof are designed so as to obviate any need for supports, leaving clear floor space, and the walls and ceiling are painted white, the principals and rafters being stained, giving a pleasing effect, whilst there is ample light from windows. Portion of this floor space is devoted to the cheese plant, six vats being installed at present, and five being in use, whilst provision is made for the installation of two additional vats, the whey sump, a special feature, nicely' tiled, which runs between the sets of vats, being long

enough to permit of eight vats. From the wifey sump the whey is pumped to the separators, thus ensuring absolute cleanliness. The cheese plant is equipped with regenerator, agitators, etc., and all the machinery requisite for a modern plant. *

In the portion devoted to butter-mak-ing there are concrete stands for the cream vats, also a pasteuriser and a cooler, as w r ell as a two-ton Himble refrigerator with a concrete submerged condenser system, which, besides being a great saver of water, has the advantage of being inside. The cooling room has a capacity of 600 boxes .of butter. Running the full length of the butter and cheese room there is an addition 20ft wide, which is subdivided into starter room, receiving stands, testing room, salt room, boiler house, coal shed, and bath room. The testing room is placed between the two stands, and samples can be handed from either through sliding doors. All the space under the stands is utilised for various storage. The salt room has a capacity up to 15 tons, and is right alongside the boiler room, which con-

tains a 25 h.p. boiler, which provides steam for heating purposes and for driving the' 10 h.p. Tangye engine that drives the machinery. The curing room is situated in front of the making room, and has ample shelving accommodation. The windows are provided with two sliding sashes ami ventilating shutters. OTHER FEATURES.

In front of this again is the packing room, 15 by GO, 45ft of which is raised so as to enable the crated cheese to be loaded on to the motor wagons without undue effort. Provision has been made for ample storage for crates on top and for nails, etc., under the packing floor. Outside, the building presents a pleasing appearance, being finished in smooth plaster, faced with red, and with stain-

ed gable ends. The whey stands are situated at the back of the building, and are erected on concrete stands, with a room between in which the weighing machine is installed. The water is supplied from wells sunk within the factory and pumped into a water tank of 5000 gallons, built in reinforced concrete on a neat tower, the space underneath being utilised as a benzine store. A verv convenient workshop is also pro-

The drainage is a special feature, and the flush system has also been installed. Provision is also made for hot water for suppliers’ purposes. At present the main factory is turning out 51 cheeses daily, whilst 21 are being manufactured at Hillsborough, the company’s branch. Mr. W. Taylor is the manager. Mr. A. Hoffmann first assistant, and Mr. S. Arbuckle buttermaker. THE OPENING. Tn calling upon Mr. W. M. Singleton, Acting Dairy Commissioner, to declare the factory’ open. Mr. J. S. Connett (chairman of the company) said that the company had started twenty-live years ago with buildings suitable and equipment sufficient for the requirements of the shareholders at that time. The buildings had been added to, and additional machinery installed from time to time as the supply grew, and these had done the work for a number of years. Latterly it had been felt that the factory was behind the times in the matter of equipment, and that the management expenses were very much in advance of those factories which had the advantages of up-to-date plants. The improvement would have been effected long ago, but the delay was due to the high cost of buildings, and latterly on account of the financial stringency. Even now it was only due to the very great sacrifice tlie shareholders

deciding to contribute in cash the sum of nearly £4OOO. This was supplemented by their good friends, the Bank of New South Wales, at a time when most overdrafts had to be curtailed. A number of the suppliers were opposed to the proposal being carried out, considering that the work could have been more cheaply carried out by delaying it. He could safely say now that the building was erected all' were satisfied that the best thing had been done for the district. The management expenses had been cut down to a minimum, and they could now make and market a better article. The material point that counted with suppliers was that the pay out in the years to come would be more on a par with neighboring factories that were similarly equipped. He was very pleased that Mr. Singleton was present at the opening, because the staff of the Dairy Division had been anxious that the scheme should be brought into operation some time ago, and it must be very gratifying to him to see this carried out.

Mr. Singleton thanked the Bell Block directorate for inviting him to open the factory, as he took it to - be an honor for the Dairy Division. He expressed regret that Mr. Cuddie was not present, but all would be pleased that the latest reports of his health had been more favorable. The Division appreciated some of the difficulties the Bell Block directors and suppliers had to overcome in connection with the building of the factory. He considered they had done exceptionally well in erecting such a splendid and up-to-date factory in the face of difficulties that appeared to many to be insurmountable. The directors and suppliers, he considered, were entitled to the highest congratulations. He then declared the factory open for the manufacture of the finest cheese and butter from all the sweet and sound milk that had been received and would be received. (Applause). VISITORS ENTERTAINED Those present were then the guests of the Bell Block directorate at luncheon in the Bell Block Hall. Here tables had been tastefully set edit and the assembled company, which included suppliers and their wives, and also numerous invited guests, did full pustice to the excellent fare provided and dispensed by the Bell Block ladies, who on this occasion even excelled the high reputation they enjoy for doing things well.

Afterwards a lengthy toast list was discussed. Mr. J. S. Connett (chairman of directors) presided, and there were also at the official table: Messrs. W. Ml Singleton (Acting Dairy Commissioner). A. Morton (President of the National Dairy Association), S. G. Smith. M.P. for Taranaki, F. E. Wilson (Mayor of New Plymouth), Newton King and W. B. Grant (President of the Taranaki A. and P. Association). Others present included representative business and professional men. Apologies for absence were received from Messrs, J. B. Murdoch (chairman of the Jell Dairy Co. and Egmont Box Co.), Mr. Deem (Fields Supervisor to the Agricultural Department), S. Rundle (one of the pioneers of Bell Block), H. B. Lepper (chairman of the Lcpperton Dairy Company), D. Morrison, V. Elliott, J. R. Oruickshank, and A. L. Humphries. The toast list opened with the loyal toast, “The King,” proposed by the chairman.

Tn proposing “The Parliament of New Zealand.” Mr. J. H. Quilliam remarked that Parliament symbolised the constitutional authority in the Dominion. It had been said that every country in the world had just as good a Parliament as it deserved. It was a saying of universal application, and he thought it was particularly applicable to New Zealand, where they had the freef< possible franchise, and if the representatives were not what they ought tn be then the fault was with the electors. Tn selecting the Parliament of New Zealand it was essential

that men of honor and integrity, and loyal British subjects, should be chosen. He was glad to say that most of the members were loyal subjects, but wished he could say they were all so. There were, however, a few who, though they had subscribed to the oath of allegiance, never missed ah opportunity, either in the House or out of it, to display their disloyalty to the Crown. In the national struggle, these men he referred to not only stood aloof, but also did everything possible io nulify® the work of the. Dominion. He hoped that in their little social gatherings, when these poor deluded fellows were drinking the toast of “The Land We Live In,” which they had substituted tor the loyal one, it was to be hoped their minds woujd not be troubled by the sad reflection that they would have no land to live in were it not tor the brave deeds of the men now lying -on the blood-stained battlefields of Gallipoli and Flanders. A STRONG GOVERNMENT. A strong was needed to contend with what he apprehended to be a growing evil. He thought it could be said that the present Government had a strong man at the head of it Like themselves, Mr. Massey was a farmer, and the country needed all the farmers it could get. Without the wealth which the farmer produced the labor agitator would have nothing to agitate about, and the farmer deserved well of New Zealand. The magnificent factory at Bell Block was an indication of the industry and energy of the farmers of the community. The farmer was a busy man, and it was to be deplored that he did not take his proper place in politics. He trusted. however, that they would be able to devote a little time to these questions and would be on their guard to see that their right and liberties were not encroached on. The price of liberty, it was said, wa> eternal vigilance.

Mr. S. G. Simth. in reply, joined with the proposer in expressing the hope that the day would never come when Parliament would be composed of a majority of men who were disloyal to the King or to the Empire. He thought the Parliaments of New Zealand were ones of which the country could be proud. The work that was really done in Parliament was done by the representatives behind closed doors, because it was the committee work which counted. The most successful members in the House were not those who could make speeches on all and. every subject, but those who were imbued with the idea of helping on the country. At the present time the Government of New Zealand had a heavy task, and problems ‘which probably had never faced a previous administration. and while some members had taken the opportunity of upbraiding the Government in connection with the economy proposals, he desired to point out that unless questions were fully discussed the best possible result could not be obtained. Strong, mau as Mr Maeaev was,

no man was able to-day to run the country single-handed. PROSPERITY AHEAD. He believed that the country would emerge from the present period of difficulty into a time of great prosperity for the reason that the people had learned their lesson, and he did not think the undue extravagance which characterised the war period would be again encountered. If New Zealand was to emerge from the crisis the unity of the people was an essential factor. It was impossible for the Government to provide for all the Dominion’s present requirements, and he hoped that the decision of the Government would be accepted loyally by any localities which would perhaps on this occasion have to be overlooked in the allocation of money for local needs. Mr. Smith said Bell Block had a factory that any district might well be proud of, and in stating that Bell Block was a portion of the community that Taranaki could value, Mr. Smith referred to the work of the people of this district in the Agricultural Society. In conclusion, he expressed the hope that the success of the 801 l Block company would continue, and that the factory would always be known for putting on the market the best possible product in the shape of butter and cheese. A MATTER OF EVOLUTION. “The Bell Block Dairy Company” was proposed by Mr. Newton King, who remarked on the splendid factory which the company now possessed. In seeing a building of this description, he said it made one reflect on the old factories of years ago, which he was afraid would not have met with the appix>val of the officers of the Government Dairy Division. ”It was a matter of evolution, however, and he thought the company was now well provided for for a number of years. He was interested to see that the finances had also been well managed, and that the company had largely paid for the factory by a levy made during their very prosperous times. In other cases people were beginning to look back now and wonder what they had done with their money received during the good times. Of course the people in a dairying district were lucky, but if they were connected with farming in the back districts they would find a very different tale. He sympathised with the farmers in these instances, and they had cause to complain.

Reverting to the erection of the new factory, Mr. King said he had been quite prepared, to see a good building, because Bell Block was noted for doing things well. A great deal of the success of co-operative factories, however, depended upon the chairman, as much responsibility 7 was cast on this position, and in Mr. Connett the Bell Block company had a energetic man for the position. GROWTH OF THE COMPANY. Replying, Mr. Connett said the company was proud to know that they had a. factory which, it was claimed, was up-to-date and equal to anything in the Dominion. He was proud to have a body of shareholders who had seen fit to take this progressive move at a time when finances were particularly tight; Bell Block, he was pleased to say, always had a good type of shareholder, due, perhaps, to the fact that most of them were descendants of the old pioneers who took up the land in the virgin state.

A review of the history of the company 7 was given by Mr. Connett. He said the first combination was for the purpose of joining with Lepperton, but. this lasted only twelve months, and the Bell Block company was formed in 1-896. The output the first year 1 was 48 tons of butter, and the amount paid, to suppliers was £3350, or an average of 8 3-5 d per lb. They were well satisfied with the prices in those days, and did well. This was a contrast with the present state, when, during the last month or two, when the company had limited the advance to one shilling, some had even expressed the opinion that they would go into bankruptcy. In the first ten years there were only- two occasions on which the payment passed 10d per lb. In 19Q7 an improvement in this direction took place, and for the next ten years the company averaged a pay-out of 11 id. About that time the Hillsborough district joined in with them, and had proved a profitable branch. The following four years the price came out at 12Jd, which was quite a good one.

Deal big with the question of the advances now being made, Mr. Connett said he was glad to learn that the latest market reports reflected an improved tone, and he believed that, when the

“washing-up” came, suppliers would find that the season would come out better than they expected.

Touching on finances in connection with the new factory, Mr. Conhett explained that the company had decided that, instead of raising more share capital, the cost was to be written off in two years. - This was equal to about 3d per lb butter-fat for the two years. He added that during the last six years the pay-out on cheese had averaged 23d, which must he consideredi very creditable. The infusion of Jersey blood into many of the herds of the district had been the means of increasing the test very considerably, and it had risen from 3.8 to about 4.4. The increase was, in the opinion of some, not altogether a benefit, as there was such a thing as getting too big a test in cheese making.

TRIBUTE TO DIRECTORS. The success of the company was very largely due to the directorate, who did the initial work, and there were three of these still living. One, Mr. Tom French, was still a supplier, and the others were Messrs. S. Rundle and F. Salway (the first chairman). Mr. Connett paid a tribute to the work of the early directors, and said this was combined with the good judgment of Mr. R. Pepperell, who had been the secretary for the past twenty-three years. The company had been soundly carried on, and their position was such that, even after they had demolished the old factory (preparatory to erecting the new one) their assets stood at 30s for every pound of share capital invested. The new building they looked upon as only a step in the way of progress, and they hoped to bo able to erect similar conveniences at Hillsborough before Tong, on equally as good a footing. The new building should be an incentive to suppliers to increase the production of their farms by herd testing and better methods generally. They had in their midst some men who had given a good deal of thought to this matter, and the factory output was now between five and six hundred tons of cheese. There was, however, a portion of the district still under grazing conditions, and he was satisfied, if these areas were contributing towards the supply of milk to the factory, the company would have a very larire ‘ncrease indeed upon their present

turnover. Mr. Connett concluded by expressing the hope that the development in the district during the next decade would be even greater than in the past. THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. In proposing the toast of “The Dairying Industry,” Mr. T. C. List complimented the ladies on the splendid lunch provided, and congratulated the company on the enterprise displayed in the erection of such a fine building. The confidence and courage shown had been an example to the rest of the Dominion at a time when it was especially needed. The financing of the building had been done in a way entirely creditable to the company. It was an example to many businesses who were too prone to finance, and not prone enough to rely on their own resources and pay for buildings when the opportunity was available. In some districts, of course, it was very difficult to finance capital cost out of- revenue, because of the competition which took place, but if it did nothing else, this present period of stringency should show the controllers of the industry the folly of fighting one another in trying to pay out the highest prices, without regard to their obligations. He endorsed Mr. Connett’s tribute to the pioneer settlers, and said that no matter ‘how prices went down the country would be all right as compared with the troubles met with by the early settlers. It was for the people to show the same courage as the pioneers, and they would come through. In coupling the toast with the name of Mr. Singleton, the speaker paid a tribute to the work the Dairy Division was doing on behalf of farmers. At the outset of his reply. Mr. Singleton tendered an apology for absence from Dr. Reakes, head of the Agricultural Department, who desired to convey his regrets at being unable to be present. Continuing, Mr. Singleton, as representing the dairymen of New Zealand, congratulated the company on the splendid production and . the "quantity and quality of the produce which was being manufactured this spring. He congratulated the directors of the Bell Block company very heartily on the erection of such a factory as had recently been completed, especially at a time when conditions were so difficult. He recognised that last season, although the prices were the highest for butterfat, yet there were more stormy annual meetings than had been met with for the last two decades. In some districts there seemed to be a lack of cohesion among the farmers, and he stressed the need for co-operation, upon which the success of any company depended.

TASKS FOR FARMERS. The toast of “Allied Indt/stries” was proposed by Mr. W. J. Penn, who commenced by congratulating the company on the fine factory erected, and said it was only what one would have expected from Bell Block. He recalled that the late Mr. J. B. Connett was one of tne first men in Taranaki to go in for dairy farming. The speaker recalled that about twenty-five years ago he had inspected the first milking machine in Taranaki, which had been installed on the farm of Mr. Corfnett senr. Referring to the toast, he said that allied industries were the producers’ freezing company, the bacon company, the casein company, the meat works, and the box company. • All of these were in charge of the farmers, and were flourishing. There was one of these which the farmer might take up profitably, namely, pig-rearing, and another brancn was that of sheep-raising. A matter which the farmers were being urged to take up was shipping, but he thought 1 this was a special business which should be left to shipping men. He was of opinion that it was not a wise thing for farmers to go in for shipping. What they had to rely on was to secure the services of as many shipping companies as possible, and this was being done for them through the port of New Plymouth. There were about seven or eight i different lines now making New Ply- ; mouth a port of call. In replying to the toast, Mr. A. Mor- ; ton extended to the Bell Block company ■ his hearty congratulations on the building just erected, and he expressed the opinion that it would not be possible to find a better factory throughout the length and breadth of New Zealand. Through a long association with Mr. Connett, he knew their chairman to be energetic in the interests of the company and the industry. Referring to the bacon industry, Mr. Morton said the Inglewood Bacon Company, of which he was chairman, had at all times found difficulty in handling the number of pigs offered.’ From time to time they had made additions, and this year they had arranged with the Taranaki Farmers’ Meat Company to deal with surplus pigs, so that they would be in a position to cope with all the stock offering In connection with handling pigs, he had always urged that farmers had made the mistake of depending on the other fellow to breed the pigs, and then had to go on to the market for young pigs at high prices. The best way of handling pigs was to breed them. With reference to dairying, it had been mentioned that the Bell Block company had made provision for increased production. This was what all should aim at, whether in the dairy or the allied industries, and he was confident that the shareholders of the company would do their best to increase; the output, and that before long the company’s provisions for handling a bigger supply would be taxed to the utmosu.

FARMERS AND FINANCE. “Financial Institutions” was proposed by Mr. F. E. Wilson. He said there was no doubt that the success of the dairying industry largely depended on the banking institutions, whom, he considered, had really prevented what might have been a* panic by the wise management they had shown in these times of stress by assisting good business propositions, and severely curtailing “wild cat” propositions. Mr. A. W,. Webster, manager of the Bank of New South Wales, who responded. remarked that during the past twelve months the banks had increased their advanaces by £18,000,000, and their deposits had dropped by £9,500,000, a difference of £27,500.000, so it wottld be seen their resources had been greatly taxed. Regarding the advance to the* company, he said that they probably would not have got it if the shareholders had not contributed so largely themselves. He considered the directors showed foresight in building when they did, and they were also wise in making provision to pay a portion of it off while things were good. He briefly touched on the times when the Bank of New South Wales practically fathered the industry in Taranaki, and he also spoke briefly on the joint and several, which had its advantages to the company, inasmuch as it tended to keep the suppliers loyal. “Increased Production” was proposed by Mr. W. B. Grant, who said that if they did not have increased production it would be no use having these dairy tories, freezing works, etc. He had said recently that farmers must be kept going at’all costs, but it had been stated that he had not shown how this could

be done. One of the remedies was the provision of up-to-date facilities, such as provided by Bell Block, and another was the introduction of better farming methods. In this connection he said it was hoped to make a decision during the coming week with regard to the choice of a farm for demonstration purposes. A number of farms had been offered, but the price he considered on the high side. What was wanted, he said, was a good farm at a cheap rate. The demonstration farm was for'the good of the district, and if carried on on proper lines would undoubtedly be a great acquisition. In concluding, he paid a tribute to the excellent hospitality provided that afternoon by the ladies of the district, remarking that as president of the Agricultural Society he had had to thank them on numerous occasions for their work in the interests of that body. Mr. J. S. Connett, in responding, said tljat it was generally recognised that the Agricultural Society was started for the purpose of instructing the majority of the farmers as to the lines the specialist was working on. It was difficult to get farmers together, and, in any case, actual observation carried more weight than talk. He considered that agricultural societies were serving a great purpose in the country, ,as they enabled farmers to see the finest stock, also to see what was done by specialists, for farmers were prompted to enquire how it was done and to try and emulate it. Farmers knew little of the actual possibilities of their land as regarded carrying capacity, and for that reason he had hoped Mr. Deem would have been present to have told them the results of the jvork on the various demonstration farms in Taranaki. Those who visited these farms from time to time knew tlie splendid work being carried out, and were anxious to practice it. As illustrating what could be done, he pointed out that Mr. Jones, of Bell Block, on 58 acres last year had carried 25' cows, each averaging 3401 b. of but-ter-fat. If they tried they could all dq that, and the of the company would be nearly double what it was at the present time. He briefly touched on the benefits of cow-testing, urging all to join the Cow-Testing Association, and also to support the estaMishment of a demonstration farm.

“The Press” was proposed by Mr. J. S. Connett and responded to by Messrs. T. C. List (Daily News), W. J. Penn (Herald), and Greville (N.Z. Dairyman) ; “The Ladies” by Mr. F. E. Wilson. and “The Chairman” by Mr. S. G. Smith, M.P., each being briefly responded to.