THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1922, Page 8

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

THE ROTOKARE COMPANY. ANNUAL MEETING. The third annual meeting of the Rotokare Dairy Company, Ltd. was held at the factory, Westown, last night, Mr. H. Marfell (chairman of directors) presiding over an attendance of fifteen. The annual report and balance-sheet stated: “Your directors have to congratulate the .shareholders on the decided increase in the supply of milk to the factory. Milk received. 1.274.9401 b.: lbs. of milk per lb. of butterfat, 9.141t>.; butter-fat received. 53.7271 b.; lbs. of cheese per lb. of butter-fat, 2.591 b.; cheese made, 134,0561 b. (59 tons 16cwt. flqrs. 201 b.); average test, 4.21; creamery butter manufactured, 24011 b.; whey butter manufactured, 56051 b. After writing off the sum of £134 16s for depreciation of plant and buildings, there remains a credit balance in the profit and loss account of £lB 8s 9d. Your directors are unable to make a definite statement as regards the final pay-out, owing to the irregular shipments of the produce and further account sales to be received. The Results of nine shipments of cheese are yet to be accounted for. and when these cqme to hand your directors will consider the question of further payments. The future prospects of the Home markets are at present uncertain, but your directors trust that the loyal support given to the factory by the shareholders will be continued.

In moving the adoption of the report, the chairman congratulated shareholders on the big increase in supply at the factory, the increase in milk being T 9 1.27811 m. (containing 97291b5. butter-fat) over the previous season. The quantity of cheese made was nearly 60 tons, an increase over the previous year of about 10 tons. The quantity of whey butter manufactured was in excess of the previous year. The average grade of the cheese Was 90.5. The quantity of cheese exported was 798 crates, 777 of which were first grade and 21 crates second grade. Twenty-three boxes of whey butter were shipped Home and the balance sold in the local market. There were 10 boxes of second grade whey butter. The manager was to be congratulated on the quality of the produce manufactured, considering that the company is without a pasteuriser.

Referring to the balance-sheet, he said the cost of manufacturing per lb. of butter-fat was over sixpence per pound, being a penny Hess than last year, and comparing the cost with another cheese factors- this cost was found to -exceed the iatter by over one penny. Tn going into the matter it was found that the fuel and 7 power cost nearly one penny per lb. of butter-fat, and interest paid amounted to over one penny per lb. of butter-fat. The -other company’s costs were V 2 d per lb. for fuel and per lb. for Interest. All the other charges compared more than favorably, and the opinion was expressed that in time to come the factory could be run cheaper and more economically than other cheese factories. Owing to the very irregular and late shipping of the cheese, it was Impossible to give any idea as to what the final pay-out would be until the final account sales were received. Some of the company's cheese was sold as low as 68s 6d, and the highest price received to date was 100 s. There were yet nine account sales to he received, totalling 392 crates, being nearly half the company’s make. The chairman quoted a letter from the Home agents (Davidson and Co.), who reported that the shipments of butter and cheese from the company’s factory had been entirely satisfactory in quality and condition, and had well maintained the high-class standard of first grade New Zealand produce. The shrinkage on factory weights on shipments of cheese was as follows: Port Lyttelton, 2.2 per cent.; Tainni. 2.6 per cent.; Corinthic. 1.7 per cent.: Remuera, 1.8 per cent.; Mahia. 2 per cent. ; Piako. 3.5 per cent.: Tonic. 1.38 per cent.: Matakana. 2.2 per cent.; Port Victor, 2.54 per cent. : and Wai mate. 2.17 per cent. The previous season’s shrinkages averaged from 3.23 per cent, to 4.54* per cent, on exactly the same yield. The season's shrinkages were more than satisfactory, and in only two cases had the shrinkages exceeded the usual allowance of 2% per cent. According to a late letter received from the Dairy Association, they were now recommending the making of cheese for the coming season, but it was difficult to foresee which would be the better proposition. Mr. J. O. Taylor seconded, and after a short discussion the report and balance-sheet were adopted. Mr. C. F. Foote was re-appointed auditor at tlie same remuneration as the previous year. The matter of further payments was left to the directors to deal with. The retiring directors (Messrs. H. Marfell and F. W. Early) were re-elected Mr. E. Taylor said he was in favour of cooperative concerns, hut one could not be loyal to a factory and disloyal to self if it meant bankruptcy in the long run. This would come if the company continued to pay out twopence or so less per lb. than other factories. Personally, he thought the company would have to turn to butter, especially as Westown was growing fast and buildings would soon extend as far as the factory area. If a skimming station or butter factory were established the \ompany could keep going by supplying town consumption, especially if the town continued to grow as it was doing. Mr. .T. O. Taylor thought the best plan would be to make as much butter as they could with the present plant. Mr. F. Watson thought that there was a good deal of truth in what Mr. E. Taylor had said, but the directors should first get an offer in writing from the Wanganui Fresh Food Company and obtain data as to the cost, of installing plant to deal with the J cream. He moved in that direction. Mr. E. Taylor said there need be no additional expense as regard'd plant to deal with cream. What was really affecting the company was the interest. Ho then seconded the motion of Mr. Watson. Mr. J. O. Taylor moved that the company continue making butter for the beginning of the season, and later make cheese. This proposition was carried. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the manager (Mr. ,T. Wytkin) and the secretary (Mr. A. J. Tunbridge), both votes being carried by acclamation. ' Votes of thanks were also accorded to the chairman and co-directors. At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr. ’ H. Marfell was re-elected chairman for the ensuing yeai 4 .