THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 8 September 1922, Page 7

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

tarata company. ANNUAL MEETING. The twenty-fifth annual meeting of the Tarata Co-operative Dairy Company was held in the Tarata hall yesterday afternoon. Mr. J. Askew (chairman of directors) presided over a fair number of shareholders. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet (already published), the chairman said the shareholders could congratulate themselves upon a successful year’s operation. He thought the factory had had a very good season, and the output had been a recora for the company. The pay-out, considering the size of the factory, compared very favorably with that of other concerns. Mr. J. Patterson seconded. Asked by Mr. F. M. Standish for the lowest net figures for any one shipment, the secretary stated that the lowest price f.o.b. breakwater was in the vicinity of IJd per lb. This would return about 8d at the factory. Mr. M. Standish considered that winter suppliers were getting less for their butterfat than suppliers who brought milk for the summer months only. This was not giving a fair deal to farmers who milked right through. He also asked if interest was paid on capital invested in the Box Company and kindred companies. The secretary explained that there had been a rebate of £ll3 5s from the Box Company and 5 per cent, had been paid by the Freezing Company. Concerning the bank exchange, he further remarked that previously produce had been put through free of exchange. It had first been set down at 5s per £lOO of draft, but had later been raised to 10s, and then to 15s per £lOO of draft. Mr. E. ,T. Ible remarked that considering about £7OO had been spent on running expenses, the directorate were to be congratulated upon the good pay-out, but wages and fuel expenses had been too high. The chairman said the company had saved £lOO by means of their water-power installation, but fuel was dear at Tarata. especially coal. Rata cost £3 10s per cord. In reply to Mr. H. Higgins, the chairman said butter boxes had been 3d a box dearer this year. Preservatives were slightly dearer, but salt had come down. Mr. G. Higgins suggested that It would be* advisable to look round for another churn (second-hand). Touching upon the question of cream delivery, Mr. -T. W. Simmons considered it was the duty of the manager to discover and deal with bad cream. As a director he would support the manager in any decision he arrived at, but refused to take upon himself the task of looking at a supplier’s cream. Mr. H. Higgins thought that in view of the large amount spent on repairs and additions, extra shares be given to suppliers, but the chairman remarked that next year there would have to be an additional allotment of shares in any case. Mr. Standish again brought up the question of winter payments. After some discussion it was decided that consideration be left to the incoming directors. The report and balance-sheet were then adopted. GENERAL. Mr. J. »V. Simmons moved that it be a recommendation that the company’s agent should be consulted, and that shareholders should hear his views With regard to supplying local markets. Mr. .T. Smith seconded.—Carried. Mr. E. Mackay moved and Mr. J. Burgess seconded that cream be graded, and Id per lb. less be paid for second grade cream. The chairman thought that provided it led to no dissatisfaction and could be successfully operated, the scheme would be a move in the right direction. Mr. Simmons stated that the promotion of a manager depended upon the article he turned out. consequently he would be the most capable person to decide when cream was delivered in a state unfit for good butter-making. Mr. Ible was in favour of the motion, provided that the factory could conveniently grade the cream. Mr. Standish' moved ns an amendment that the manager’s salary be increased by £lO if he could return an average grade of 93 per cent, for the whole year. Mr. H. Lambert seconded. On a show of hands the acnendment was carried Mr. H. Lovell moved that once a supplier left the district ho would be Ineligible to Serve on the directorate. Mr. H. Higgins seconded.—Carried on a show of hands. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. All the directors retire annually, and Messrs. H. Lovell, ,T. Askew, G. Higgins. J. Burgess, J. W. Simmons, J. Elliott, G. Burr and .J Paterson were nominated. The ballot resulted in all but Mr. J. Patterson being elected. Mr. G. Pullen was re-appointed auditor at the same remuneration. FRANKLEY ROAD COMPANY. ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Frankley Road Dairy Factorv Company, was held at the factory on Wednesday evening, when Mr. A. R. Gudopp (chairman of directors) presided over •a large attendance of shareholders. The 25th annual report expressed regret that, in common with other companies, prices realised for cheese and butter during the past year had been lower than for several years past. Cheese wns made to the end of April, and during May and .Tune hotter was made for local sales. The total milk received for cheese making was 3.697.849 lb containing 152,7111 b. butter-fat. and making 290,1091 b. of cheese factory weights. The average test for that period was 4.13, the vield 2.55. and 9.04 lb of milk were required to make 1 lb cheese. Fnr butter-making 151.417 lb of milk and 3.101 lb cream were received. containing 821 lb of butter-fat. making 9,960 lb of butter, an over-run of 13 per cent. Tn moving the adoption of the annual report and balance sheet, the chairman said he was not able to report a record pay-out this year and in common with other factories thev had to accept a lower price for their produce than for several years. Tt was pleasing to ronnrt an increased sijnnlv. a higher test, and less milk a pound of cheese than for several years and the yield had been well maintained. The cost nf manufacturing, continued the chairman, was coming down, the cost last season being 1.34 d a lb. against 1.53 d for the previous year. The cost f ob. last year was l.R9d per lb of cheese and butter or 5.02 d per lb of butter-fat. against 2.44 d ner lb of cheese or 6.41 d per lb of butter-fat fnr the previous season. The cost wns still high. but. the indent prices of goods for the coming season will be lower and should show a lower cost next year. The cost of shipping produce f.o.b. to London is still a very serious item, amounting with freights, commissions. loadinc charge, etc., to over 2d per ih of cheese or 5d per lb of hutter-fat. Freight was nearlv three times the pre-war rate. Turning to the balance-sheet, the chairman said there wns little tn comment on.. Repair* and renewals to the nlant amounting tn £96 were heavy charges to that account. On the receipts side the most startling difference wns In the amount received fnr cheese, this being £10.979. against £19,R09 last year. This wns accounted for In the price. Last year they sold for Is 2%d. nnd this year the price would average about Tn conclusion, he wished to thank the -manager and staff for their past season’s work. The cheese had graded satlsfactorllv. the factory being 34th * on the list of 6i factories, with an average grade of 90.59. the highest average they had had for fnur years. Mr. Hill seconded the motion and the report and balance sheet were adopted without discussion. For the three vacancies on the directorate. Messrs. R. Wood. .1. Thomas, F. King, E. Pepperell, P. Gilbert, and C. Waldock were nominated, and Messrs. Wood. Pepperell and King were elected. On the motion of Mr. L. Hill, seconded by Mr. Schwnm. it was decided to close the loan to suppliers’ account. The chairman was voted an honorarium of £lO and each of the directors 10s per meet- 5 ing. v otes Of thanks were passed to the secre-

tary anti manager for their services during the past year. On the conclusion of the business of the general meeting, refreshments were handed round. At a subsequent meeting of the directors Mr. R. Wood was elected chainman.