THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume XV, Issue 473, 26 April 1894, Page 2

THE DAIRY INDUSTRY.

Meeting at Fern ridge.

The Fcrnridgo school was well filled last nighU'itk settlers interested in the erection of a creamery in that neighbourhood, I Mr I. Bikes, who was voted to the | chair, introduced Mr -Hohcrts (Secretary to the N.Z. Dairy Farmers' Union) and Mr Udy (onß of the 1 Directors), and then culled upon Mr C H. Gayfer, agent and looal canvasser, to read tbe minutes of tbe last meeting. The Chairman said that before putting the mimiles, he might state that'a Committee had been formed (0 go through the rules which had been received from Mr Roberts. The minutes were confirmed as read,

The Chairman then gave a report of his trip to Palmerston North, as a delegate to the Union. On his way to Palmerston he visited the Hastwellaud Eketnhuna oreameries and found .the settlers well satisfied with the results of the past year's working, and intending to milk more cows this year. On reaohing Palmerston on the 17th iost., he waited on the Secretary, and was shown over tbe Palmerston Factory with which he was much pleased. Alter visiting the -Ashuret creamery he waited on the Directors and informed them that the Fernridge settlers were prepared to guarantee 212 shares and 265 cows if the prosneots of the Union were satisfactory. He w»s informed that the. Union recognised no looal agent, and that' the farmers were expeoted to canvas for shareholders and Ihe supply of cows amongst themselves. Also that the period which suppliers were to guarantee was three years, and not five as originally understood, and that 8d per gallon was advanced for milk, aud if, after working expenses were paid, the butier brought sufficient 10 pay 3sd per .gallon, the extra jd per gallon would be paid to ehareholders and milk suppliers pro rate. On tbe other hand should the butter not fetch suloieut, $d per gallon would be debited against the following year's milk supply. All' oreameries were also to be placed on the same footing by not keeping the accounts separate, •i'he Directors did not. appear satisfied with the proposed site for the Fernridge deamery, as they thought it was too near the town. Iu answer to questions, he had been informed that he could not be told how many shares were allotted by the Uniou, or as to the results of the late operations with the butter. He had told the Directors that he was sent by theFernridge settlers to obtain the fullest informa* hon he could get, and expected his questions answered. As one of the Directors and the Secretary of the Union were present at tbe meeting, he did hot think it necessary to Ruy more at present, but would be glad to answer any questions.

Mr D. H. Roberts (Secretary to (lie Dniou) read the articles of asauoiation winch piiiioi'i'ally provided for the erection and woiltiuf; of cheese and butter factories. Inferring to the milk supply he said they hoped next year to pay according to the quality of milk, the standard being 3'G, or about BJlb of butter to 1001b or 9 gallons of milk, The onus of bringing sweet milk was entirely with the supplier, and the manager had the right to reject any tainted or unclean milk, Milk would hi received on Sundays, but only once a day. Willi regard to the return of skim milk, it bad [been a sore point in the past, and the j Director bad now ston fit to impose. I a penalty on any supplier found taking more skim milk away than his proper quantity. As to the site for the proposed creamery he thought there was no objection to it, providing a ijood supply of water nud good drainage was obtainable. The Directors were of opinion that working the various creameries together was the best plan; They could show fiom their books that farmers could make an average of £1 per month from each good cow. Mr Roberts then read a copy of the last London report on the butter market, They had. received 104s, 105s and 106s c.i.f, This was quite vi i>ood as 110s or Ills with warehouse charges. Local sales were going on bo well that fresh oontraots with Wellington had to be stopped. They were supplying 5,0001bs a week to i Wellington, and 1$ tons looally— at Palmerston.

In reply to question Mr Eoberts explained that 111b to the gallon was generally accepted by.dairy factories. The faotories receiving lOJlbs to the gallon would have to come to lllbs. The company found they could not take less, and tbe rules stated that lllbs, at a standard of 8-6 was accepted as a gallon. It made no ! difference at tbe year's end, because ihe profit must come back to the farmers in the shape of a bonus. The Direotora could only grant a dividend tip to 10 per cent, Members other than milk suppliers or owners or lessees of rural lands, had no vote and this was to keep the Union entirely under the control of the farmers. No member could have more than five! votes, It had at first been proposed to make the directorate an annual one j but as the first directors bad to guar antee certain sums, a special meeting of shareholders had—in fairness to these gentleman-decided that the' present Directors should remain in office for three years from December last,

Mr D, McGregor said there was one thing he would like to ask, They were io total darkness as regards the Union, and tho settlers were anxious to know the financial basis of the association, before going to the ex« pen3e of perhaps altering their business— possibly for example changing their stock from sheep to cows. Mr Roberts explained that the nominal capital of the Company was £50,000, He might Bay that' the? wero on a thoroughly sound financial basis. The first balance would be issued in August. All liabilities were covered by the present allotted shares. This was the first year of working, and although the season; had been a short one, it had been a satisfactory one. The calls on shares were 5s on application 5s on allot< ment the balance of a share of £2 10s in 5s calls over a period of two yews. Milk would be taken in payment after the application money was received,

I In reply to a question Mr Roberts [ said that the more milk supplied the I better, and the less tbo cost of workjing. The shareholders were only liable for the amount of their Bbares. The jjdm'papy hid continued to adj varies pd per gallon to'faf men,' phile ! other companies had to reduce to 2fd, Before a shareholder .coold transfer bid shares or cows the company would have to bp satisfied/that the perßonto whnhY: it was proposed to transfer wasi'responsible. =', i • Mr W, pjwid he was phased to see so man| jpenvopdlljea ft w aa ta inter* taken id

[the establishment of a creamery at ~ /& jFeroridga; The Aesooiation wsa 4& (purely co-operative and the directors '-« hud thought it better to take lllba of $; milk as ut gallon to be on tbe safe side, '•s and preveut any chauoe of are filud, fyyJiHljT 1 "" 1 bad to ~-& finance ansfncTt&e money to com- „}*•* mence work, by giving a personal - >?>> guarantee before they got m the far- \,L mere 1 -money. When the shares were paid up the burden would be taken off .», 'the shoulders of the Directors, At '/j----present they had a great deal lo do *'? and nothing for it, the farmers -being 1- —4 the only ones to benefit, He had & been milking cows and amongst them , \ sioco he was six years' old, and was v *-, to-day strongly of opinion that factory made butter must take the t ' English market,-and New Zealand must go in for it if they wished to take $ a stand amongst other countries in the supply of butter to the Homo ~1 markets. He bad every confidence in * ** the enterprise, and although not a - 7 supplier, because , a facto;y or "". creamery ..was .jrijfcear enough, if | there should'be yßLwoiild send all ' the it was for those 1 present to say whether they would ' take up tile necessary shares and join • the Union or not.

Mr Sykes said he should like an explanation n the, Union denying Mr Gayfer 10 be the agent for the diairiot. Mr Roberts said Mr Gayfer had been acting for the company since eighteen months ago. The Directors, at a meeting about three months ago, had decided to dispense with all local agents, and he was under the impression that be had notified Mr Gayfer amongst others, On referring to big > letter book he discovered that Mr Gayfer had not been notified, and therefore the blame rested largely with himself, To speak plainly, however, settlers at Fernridge would have to understand that each £2 10s share subscribed would have to be without any deduotion for agent's charges. Mr Udy said at a meeting of Directors held some inontbs ago, they found they could not continue to pay commissions, as they oame tooltfsvv-' Farmers at Shannon o.ndjiM|' had arranged to J to the flecraamjSJffimseTwvj ; .„ therefore could not inalie any ait' ution in the present instance, Mr Gayfer had, he admitted, been rather badly treated, Mr-Gayfer wished to know who would pay him for the time and trouble he had devoted to working up the business. Had bis appointment been cancelled sooner, he would have been saved a considerable cost, Mr Udy said he quite believed Mr Gayfer Bhould receive payment for bis trouble, and would recommend that he receive something. He could not say the Directors would receive the recommendation, but be would do his best,

Mr Roberts said the blame was his in not notifying Mr Gayfer before. Mr T. E. Chamberlain said-thin wasall very well, bus to bis knowledge Mr Gayfer had spent a great deal oE time in connection with the .proposal to establish the Fernridge Creamery, and the regrets expressed did not pay him.

Mr Roberts-pointed out that the matter was entirely between Mr Gayfer and the Union, and did ,potjg|J| Mr did not think Mr Gayfer was being fairly treated, and would, therefore, move that as the settlers present understood in attending the meeting, that Mr Gayfer was the agent of the Union, they wish to know whether be is the agent or not, and if not the settlers go no further, 'as having dealt with hinv-the settlers decline to deal with anybody else, Mr MoLachlan (delegate fiom the Opaki) agreed with Mr Chamberlain, and seconded the motion.

Mr Udy expressed tbe.opim'on that the meeting had made a mistake. Whatever action the Fernridge settlers took, it could not affect the N.Z. Dairy Union. They must not think they could diotate to the Union, which was now in a thoroughly healthy and thriving condition. Themeeting would be making a mistake in trying to force Mr Gayfer or anyone on the Union, and should think well before passing such a resolution as Mr Chamberlain proposed. Ho quite agreed that Mr Gayter had. been badly treated, and was prepared ta vote that he reoeive consideration for the work done by him. Mr Molaohlan said the position was tint Mr Gayier had done the vork, and if he waß not paid they would feel that they were taking an unfair advantage of Mb services. He did not think the meeting wished to dictate to the Union.

Mr Eoberts reminded tbe meeting ] that there was another side to the i question. It would not be fair to I shareholders in other parts, who bad ' done tho work or paid for it privately, ! if commission were paid for shares at Fernridge, Instead of paying a pre- ! mium of 2b 6d per share, whioh tbe i' shares were worth, it would mean 1 that the Union found 2s 6d per share if the commission were paid to Mr i Gayfer. j Mr Nettleford said ho did not see ' how the Union could go back on anv '• agreement made with Mr Gayfer, although the Bettletß had nothing with him in the shape of an agree- i ment. Mr MoGregor said they had nothing to do with Mr' Gayfer, and if employed by the Union he bad his ■ Mr Udy Pledged Mr Gayfefthoy would littve to acknowledge other agents. He should I recommend that Mr Gayfer be considered, but if paid anything it would 'i not be aB commission on TOreß, ■ Mr Sykes said he had spoken of ! the mattor so that they might know ' whether they were expected to pay Mr Gayfer, or whether he m the Union's agent; Tbe present position was unsatisfactory. ' Mr Nettleford said the Union could not get out of paying Mr Gayfer, as j he had an agreement with it. ) Mr Udy replied that the Union / need not accept the shares from Mr \ Gayfer, , j Mr T, Chamberlain j said that if ; the Direotora would throw over an agent in that how did the Fernridge people know that they would not be treated similar] 5 tf„ fte """'"" eleventh hour ? , j Mr Udy thought Mr dhakerlain'a remarks uncalled for./Ttte quarrel was entirely between Mr Gayfer' and 1 the Union. / I The matter then dropped, Mr Chamberlain withdrawing? motion, , and Mr Bourke moving that the I present meeting agrees to accept the conditions of the N.Z, Di|ry Farmer's pnion for the establishment of a preamery at Fernridge. j ""'•''•■ Mr Prentice seconded the motion, Mr Pondsaid he underatood that a ■; man's farm and his cowl were in thahands of the Company an^^MAjgrfflfl The Secretary explaip^^^^HH| provision was nepessary^^^^^^^H Of tllß^j^^^^^H

the milk. _ The company did not care who supplied the cowa so long as the contract was fulfilled. Mr (Jdy said 98 a co-opcrutive affair they worked for the whole, and in the general interest it was necessary that thev had some guarantee. ' had bad all the work and reljfhßibility. The motion was then pot and carried. Mr Robert l ) explained that tlw! proposal would bavi> to be regularly placed before the'mceting J Directors early in May, and also his and Mr "*••- -JJdy's report. He had no doubt that the erection of a creamery would at once be proceeded with, Messrs I. Bykes, F. Iloud, R, MoKenzie, Bourke and Hives wero appointed a local commilW.lo make nil arraDgements. _ A guarantee of 171 hows was signed in the room, tbp number required being 250. The meeting then concluded with votea of thanks to Mr Roberta, Mr Udy and the chairman,