THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 9 August 1922, Page 7

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

THE KA I MATA COMPANY. TENTH ANNUAL MEETING. The tenth annual meeting of the Kaimata Co-operative. Dairy Company, Ltd., was held in the Kaiimata Hall on Monday evening, when Mr. A. E. Burwell presided over an attendance of about fifty shareholders and suppliers. In moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet (already published) the chairman said: ‘Tt is pleasant to be able to congratulate shareholders on the results of the past season’s work. The very exceptional weather conditions obtaining throughout practically the whole season accounted for a largely increased supply of butter-fat and consequently a greater output of both cheese and butter, which fact made some amends for the drop in the prices received for our produce. The amount of cheese made this season is more by some G 4 tons than we made the previous season and whey butter increased by 3575 lb. Unfortunately the price received for whey butter has only been a little more than half what it was worth the previous season. “Approximately your factory staff unade for every ton - of cheese 68 3-10 lb of whey butter. This very credFitable work was the result of using every cave that no whey was allowed to run to waste anywhere. Cheese manufactured shows an increase of 24 per cent, over the previous season. As to grading the average grade for cheese has been 91.83 and for whey butter 89.44. Our position on the grading list at the freezing works is seventh for cheese, as compared with eighth last year, and we were this year second on the list for whey butterThe average test is 4.07 G as compared with 3.95 for last season, whilst this season the yield is 2.69 against 2.68 last year. The excess of butter-fat over the 1920-21 season was 48.594 lb. With regard to the 1015 crates of cheese in the works at the time the balance sheet was made up, 387 crates have been shipped and the balance (628 crates) have been sold it 7 13-16 d per lb, which is £©6B In excess of the valuation at which these 628 crates were taken in the balance sheet. “On the debit side of your balance sheet there is not a great deal of difference as compared with the 1920-21 season, but what there is is in favor of ‘this season. You will notice that fuel has cost less despite the increased output, being 0.42 against 0.60. The wages also are down 1.19 against 1.51, requisites are up 1.6© against 1.58, and repairs are higher, showing an increase of about £4O. which is accounted for by the fact of your directors having painted the factory buildings, etc., the winter staff doing the work. The total manufacturing costs are 3.39 as against 3.78 for the 1920-21 season, whilst the total costs, including manufacturing, disposal and depreciation, are 4.93 against 5.83 for the 1920-21 season. The amount of depreciation written off is less this year by £241, your directors considering that this is ample, taking into consideration the very satisfactory condition of your building and plant. You will be pleased to know that the liability to the Bank of New Zealand in the unatter of laying an up-to-date drainage system to the Manganui has been satisfactorily wiped out. I may say that everything connected with the drainage is working quite up to our expectations. “The shrinkage on export cheese has again proved extremely low, having averaged only about 3 per cent., which is materially to the advantage of the company. Your directors, acting on the suggestions of your manager, have sold the two rams supplying the concrete blocks and installed a new specially -designed double action pump at the dam worked by a water wheel, which should ensure an almost unlimited supply of water. The pump is delivering up to 10,000 gallons in about 14 hours and everything is running smoothly and easily. All the work was done by tbb company's staff. The pump will be greatly appreciated by one and all concerned. During next winter your directors consider that the present wooden fluming from the dam to the wheel should, if possible, be laid down permanently in con“In conclusion T'would again remind you cf the pressing need (I assure you this vitally affects your individual pocket) of supplying only a clean, cooled, honest milk, drawn from cows that are dairy • cows, for you must know rthet simply because a cow has a pedigree a. foot long, it doesn’t necessarily follow that she is a dairy cow. Given such milk you manager would be enabled to increase his yield of either cheese or butter which would result in an increase in the amount paid out to you every month. Finally, I take pleasure in expressing thanks to our secretary and his staff, our manager and staff, and our auditor (Mr. Pullen) for their work and attention to the interests of this company during this past seaMr. J. Klenner seconded and the report and balance sheet were carried without discussion. The chairman intimated that a further bonus of 2d per lb would be paid out that night in addition to the Is 3.2 d per lb already advanced. All the directors retired, viz.. Messrs. A. E. Burwell. ,T. Dobson, J. J. Ryan, T. R. Casey, G. L. Bocock, and .T. Klenner. Mr. A. F. Perrott, who wap previously a director, had left the district. Eleven nominations were received for the seven seats on the directorate, Messrs. A. E. Burwell, John Dobson, J. Ryan. J. Klenner, M. Doyle, G. L, Bocock, and G. S. Clifford being elected. Mr. Geo. Pullen was re-elected auditor at the same remuneration as last year. In reply to a question it was intimated by the secretary that it cost from 17s lOd to 18s 3d a cwt- to land cheese in London on consignment frotn port to port. In accordance with notice of motion, Mr. J. Kleiner moved: —“That Article 9 (a) of the Articles of Association of the Company be deleted and the following substituted therefor: 9 (a) Each shareholder shall take up and hold"at least one share for every one hundred and eighty pounds of butter-fat or fraction of one hundred and eighty pounds of butter-fat obtained from the milk supplied by him to the company during each season. “That Article 9 (c) of the Articles of Association of the Company be deleted and the following substituted therefor: 9 (c) If on May 31 In any year it shall appear by the books of the company that any shareholder has, during the twelve (months immediately preceding the said May 31, supplied to the company a quantity of milk producing a greater quantity of butter-fat than the number of shares held by him warrants him in doing as provided by Clause (a) of this article it shall be lawful for the directors to immediately allot without any application therefor by or on the part of such shareholder such further number of shares as shall be required by such shareholder before he shall be entitled to payment for joch greater quantity of butter-fat as aforesaid.” Mr. Klenner said his reason for moving this motion was because he felt the present system was on a wrong basis. The man who supplied the most butter-fat should take up the most shares, as was done by nearly all dairy factories. It was not so much to increase the share capital ..s to re-adjust the shares of suppliers that he moved his motion. The chairman also spoke in favor of Mr. Klenner’s scheme though it would affect him more probably than any other i shareholder. Mr. Clifford seconded the proposal, which he thought was the only equitable way of alloting shares. The motion was carried unani- : mously and will be confirmed at a special moeting later. Votes of thanks were accorded the scrutineers (Messrs. Gumlerson and Peters). The chairman said there had been no offers’ yet for the present year's make and all offers for butter had come to an end. Votes of thanks were accorded the chairman and retiring directors by acclamation. At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr. A. E. Burwell was re-elected chairman. Refreshments, provided by the directors, were dispensed at the conclusion of the meeting, and a short toast list honored, Mr. J. Klenner presiding at the function. MEREMERE COMPANY. The annual meeting of shareholders of the ■vferemere Co-operative Dairy Factory Co., Ltd., was held in the factory at Ohangai on Saturday. Mr. J. J. Walker, chairman of directors, presided over an attendance of 17 shareholders. The committee submitted their report as follows: When last year’s report was presented we were unable to tell you what the final result of the season’s working would be. It SigSfk the fact that

when returns were received for all produce our pay-out made a record for the. company, viz., 2s l%d, after substantial reserves had been made. At the opening of the past season the prospects for butter appeared very • good, and :we commenced with butter-making. You are all familiar with the disastrous fall in the butter (market in December, due to the Imperial Government deciding to unload its stock; and in consequence we reverted to cheesemaking at the beginning of January, and continued in cheese until the end of March, when butter again became the better proposition. Mr. Lacey resigned his position as manager at the end of the season, and Mr. B. L. Duff, late first assistant to Normanby Dairy Company, was selected from a number of applicants to fill the position. The retiring directors are Messrs. P. Sheahan and G. W. Williams, who are eligible for re-election. Messrs. J. J. Walker and J. Thomlinson have handed in their resignations owing to leaving the district. Tbe meeting will require to appoint an auditor and fix his remuneration. Mr. Lennon again offers his services. The statistics for the past season were as fallows: Pounds of an ilk received, 7,755,034 ; pounds of butter-fat received, 288,G42. Cheese statistics—Pounds of milk, 2,499,756; pounds of butter-fat, 94,782; pounds of cheese made, 253,286; pounds of milk to 1 lb cheese, 9.86; pounds of cheese from 1 lb butter-fat, 2.66; average test, 3.79; cost of manufacture, 1,14 d; cost of manufacture (including depreciation), I. cost per lb f.0.b., 1.61 d. Butter statistics—Pounds of milk, 5,255,278; pounds of butter-fat, 193,860; average test, 3.68; pounds of butter made, 283,812 (Note —Small quantity of home-separated cream also received) ; overrun, 19.53; cost of manufacture, 2.06 d; eost of (manufacture (including depreciation), 2.33 d; cost per lb f.0.b., 2.67 d. The' chairman, in moving the adoption of the annual report and balance-sheet, explained amongst other things that the company had reverted to cheese in January on the urgent advice of the Board of Trade. A motion was moved that directors’ fees be 15s per meeting for the next season. There was an amendment that fees be 10s, but it lapsed for want of a seconder. —The motion was carried. The chairman thanked the directors, shareholders, and the secretary for their support during the past season, and expressed regret at leaving the district. Mr. A. B. Walker was nominated and elected to fill Mr. J. J. Walker’s seat on the directorate, and Messrs. Savage and Hinch were nominated to fill Mr. Thomlinson’s place. A poll resulted in Mr. Savage being elected. Messrs. P. Sheahan and G. W. Williams were re-elected. At a subsequent meeting of directors Mr. J. E. O’Shea was elected chairman. —Star.

OAONUI COMPANY. The annual general meeting of the Oaonui Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, was held on Friday. Mr. J. C. O’Rourke presiding over a fair attendance of members. The report covering the season’s working was as follows: — Your directors have much pleasure in laying before shareholders the 26th annual report and balance-sheet. Owing to the glut of butter at the end of last season in the New Zealand stores after the Government restr action on sale of butter were removed, the price fell rapidly, and this company, having a fair amount on hand, the estimate made in last year’s report was not reached, being %d per lb butter-fat short. At the commencement of the season the prospects for butter were bright, but owing to the delay in unloading in London we, in company with the other butter producers, lost heavily, butter falling over 80s per cwt. in three weeks. The manufacture of cheese was then turned to, and this produce only reached the market when a general slump in produce was on. Butter having gone up, it was again decided to turn to butter-mak-ing. and this was continued till the end of the season. Altogether, it has been a most strenuous and disappointing season on account of violent fluctuations of the Home markets. Your directors have again been successful in obtaining a temporary license to carry on the Kina road branch factory, but the question of a permanent factors’ will have to bo faced when finance becomes easier. The question of further finance requires to be gone into in order that final payments can be made in a reasonable time after the season ends. Statistics for the cheese-making period are as follows : Pounds of milk received at main factory, 2,905,100; lb butter-fat, 106,959.3; milk to lb cheese, 10.18 lb; cheese to lb of but-ter-fat, 2.68 lb; average test. 3.63; lb milk received Arawiiata. factory, 1,972,470 ; lb but-ter-fat, 74,234.4: milk to lb cheese, 10.36; cheese to lb of butter-fat® 2.56 lb; average test, 3.76. Milk received at Kina road factory, 695,410; lb butter-fat, 24,-573 ; milk to lb cheese, 10.78 lb; cheese to lb butter-fat, 2.62 lb; average test, 3.53. For the buttermaking period a total ofc 6.885,756 lb milk were received; lb butter-fat, 254,160.0 lb;, butter (manufactured, 303,182 lb; over-run, 19.28 ; lb milk to lb of butter, 22.71; average test, 3.69. Whey butter to the value of £596 15s 8d was manufactured during the cheese-

making period. During the year Mr. W. H. Cochrane,-general manager, resigned--his--posi-tion with the company,’ and Mr. W. W’aswo has been appointed in his stead. It is with regret that we record the death of Mr. J. Fleming, who has been on the directorate for some considerable time. Mr. H. McCann was a-pfknnted to fill the vacancy on the directorate. All the directors retire, and you will be called on to elect a new director each for Arawhata, Kina, arid the main factory, and four others- to complete the board.

The election of directors resulted in the return of Messrs. D. Markham, G. J. Clegg, T. Gardiner (re-elected), T. Fleming, E. M. Reynolds, 11. L. Eustace,, and H. A. V. Jordan. The retiring chairman, Mr. J. C. O’Rourke, and Mr. Jas. Young, did not seek re-election. At a subsequent meeting of directors, Mr. D. Markham was elected chairman for the ensuing year.