WHATAWHATA.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 325, 9 August 1898, Page 2

WHATAWHATA.

Butter Factory.—The annual meeting of the members of the Whatawhata Butter Factory Association was held at tke creamery on Saturday, at 10.30 a.m. There was a good attendance, Mr W. W. Higginson in the chair.—The Secretary submitted the annual accounts, which showed total receipts for the'year, including balance iD hand on August 25th. 1597, to be £3O 14s 4d ; the ex penditure in repairing creamery, fire insurance and ground rent, amounted to £3O 7s lid, leaving a credit balance in hand of 6s sd, with £lO, balance of rent now due from the ISJ.Z. Dairy Association, making a total credit of £lO 6s sd. —The accounts as read were passed.— The Secretary reported that the insurance policy for £195 in the Fire Insurance Company of Hamburg had been cancelled during the year, and a fresh policy for £l5O on the premises and plant taken out in the N.Z. Insurance Co.—This action was approved.—The Bank Charge : This question was discussed, and, in view of the small amount of banking _ business now done by the Association, it was decided to close the account in the Bank of N.Z., Hamilton, a motion being also passed that in future the secretary act as treasurer, with power to receive all monies and pay all accounts when passed. It was further decided that the available balance, after providing for insurance and ground rent, be divided among the subscribers pro rata. A vote of thanks to the secretary for his services was, on the motion of Mr T. C. Blacuett, carried unanimously. This concluded the factory meeting Milk Suit-liers Meeting.—Mr Hieginson was in the chair. The circular lately received from the Dairy Association was read and discussed, some of the conditions being objected to. Mrßlackutt pointed out that although several of the conditions seemed harsh, such as forfeiting a month's milk for a breach of tin rules, yet the Dairy Association had never shown a disposition to carry them out in au arbitary manner, but rather the reverse, instancing some suppliers who had broken the rules last season by discontinuing to send milk long before the creamery closed, but who were paid in full like the rest. The prices for milk were then dealt with, it being the unanimous opinion that some advance should be obtained on the prices now offered, which are identical with those_ of last season. Mr Higginson's opinion was that at least 3d per gallon should be given from the beginning of the season until the new year, as, up to that time, all the butter is available for export, and such an advance would be of the greatest benefit to milk suppliers, whose best months are November and December, and, say, 2sd per gallon for the balance of the season. This view was generally supported, and it was decided that it should be in a manner an instruction to the delegates. Messrs W. TV. Higginson and W. Livingstone were then appointed' delegates to represent the Whatawhata milk suppliers at any central meetings with Mr Spragg, twd also to act for their

fellow-settlers in aiding the formation of the Milk Suppliers' Union, the wlm'e ' of those present signifying their willingness to join. The question of equitably sharing out the skim milk was gone into, and the absence of a scales or other system of properly regulating the quantities taken, was adversely commented on. Finally, it wis decided to obtain a scales, and that Mr Jos. Charlston, senr., be appointed to weigh out the skim milk, being remunerated for his trouble by a payment from each supplier, at the rate of Is per month. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. In respect to the prospects for the coming season, these are very favourable. Most milk suppliers are preparing to send in good quantities ; in fact, it is considered that this is the only way in which the business can be made to pay, and should the Dairy Association see their way to make an advance .in the prices, it will encourage milk suppliers, and put more heart into the business. The o< ntract for carting the cream from the ICaramu, Whatawhata and Te Kowhai creameries to Ngaruawahia, has been taken by Mr L. Sutton, a.t about 7s per deim ; not too much for the work, but he is the right man to carry it through.— (Own Correspondent).