PROPOSED CAMBRIDGE CHEESE FACTORY.

Waikato Times, Volume XXIII, Issue 1891, 19 August 1884, Page 2

PROPOSED CAMBRIDGE CHEESE FACTORY.

Another meeting of those interested in the establishment of the above factory was held at the Ciiterion Hotel, Cambridge, on Saturday evening last. There was a fairly good attendance, and the chair was occupied by Mr Rhodes. The Chairman in opening the proceedings said that the renewed efforts of the committee dining the past week had been attended with some measure of success, though as yet they could not claim to have succeeded altogether. They were all of opinion that something still further might be done. A large number of those upon whom they had called, though they approved of the factory scheme, still they were fertile in excuses for not according that amount of support which might be expected of them. Their success had certainly not come up to their anticipatiocs, and their only hope was that by furthei efforts success might still be achieved. The total amount of shares now disposed of was 71 ( .i, and the total number of cows promised was 260. He kni-w of one or two gentlemen ivho were likely to increase their support to 100 shares rather than the scheme should fall through. Considering the extent, population, and comparative wealth of the Cambi ldge district it was a matter of great surprise to him that such meagre support should be forthcoming. When they compared the Cambridge district with the other Waikato districts, such as Paterangi and Te Awamutu, that had their thriving factories, he could not but feel astonished. Indeed, it was to him almost incredible. They would have to put their shoulders to the wheel, and show those people to whom the establishing of a factoiy meant unprecedented prosperity the good chance which they were tlnowing away, the absolute necessity for such an establishment in their midst, and make clear to them the length of time over which payment extended, and that an ordinary milk supplier could, in a comparatively short time, nay his shares up in milk alone. Were this done those people who were now talking about taking only 10 shaies might be induced to take 40 or 50 shaies. Mr Moon asked where it was proposed to eiect the factory, whether it would draw milk from both sides of the river ? The Chairman replied that in making their canvass the committee had received support on the stiength of the proposal to eiect the factory at either Allwill's or Rnnci man's corner where the four roads meet ; of course, if more support could be got for a different centie, it was still open to be altered, and to be put where the public thought best. Mr Lewis asked if the district had been thoioughly canvassed. He was surprised that Cambridge could not do better in this matter than the leport of the committee indicated. He felt sure that the report could not be an earnest of what it was possible for Cambridge to do ? Tue Chairman replied that the district had been divided and each member of the committee had taken a division, s.>, personally, he could not say whether the lepoit indicated all that could be done. He could not say that all those inteiested had been called upon and pioperly canvassed. In order to succeed they would ha\ c to double the number of shaies at present named. It was positively absurd to hear those people for whose benefit the scheme was proposed talking about taking 10 shares instead of 50 or 00 shaies. Mr Watt did not think that much moie could be got out of the district which he represented. His distiict was four or five miles fiom the proposed site, and if the site were removed Miy fiuther away it was quite possible that the majority of those who had promised to lake shaies would withdraw what suppoit they had already afforded. The people in his district looked to having a factory of their own some day. Mr Ferguson said theie were lots of people he had not been able to see from whom support might be obtained. But he knew several who had put down their names for small lots who were willing to double them. Some who had put down their names for 20 and 30 could perhaps be induced to take 100. But they wanted somebody else to lead off. He did not think theie would be any tiouble in getting up to 1,500. The distiict had not been properly canvassed yet. Mi Mo m thought that the site should be as near as possible to the Cambudge township, so that both side of the district might loin in. If it weie near the, bank of the Waikato ii\ei, the other siiio (not the ii\pr) might bo tapped, and the milk ti»inspoited from one bank to the other on a wne tiamway. Mr W. L. 0. Williams said, he had been asked to come theie that evening on the pait of Mr J. C. Filth, and submit the following proposal :— Mr J. C. Filth offers Ins cheese plant for 720 cows at 5 per cent, less than the price quoted to Mr Runcimnn. He will take payment in bill at four month lenewnble at two like peiiods with 8 per cent, added for the full period. If cheese is made on the English system by the above plant, Mr Fnth will take 50 shaies (£1 shares), chedder cheese fetching Id to 2d over American cheese. The Chairman also read the following from Messrs Ingrain and Co.. Auckland :—: — We lear,n that Mr J. C. Filth has offered a cheaper plant to the projected Cambridge Cheese Company. We desire to point out to you that the Ameiican self-agitating plant supplied by us can be equally as well used as any other in the manufacture of cheddar cheese, or any kind of cheese, and the saving ot labour alone by the use of this plant would pay for itself in one season. We do not wish to prejudice you against Mr Firth's plant, but we consider the automatic plant as necessary for the profitable production of cheese in this country. We could give you a plant to allow you to start this season if we received an older at once. — I am, &c. Ingram and Co. Mr Moon said, it was e\ident if they wished to succeed that all who had put down their names would have to double their support, Personally, he would do so, and put down his name for 100 shares. Mr Lewis would also doublo his amount, and take 50. Mi Forrest proposed that seeing, that the inducement was so small there was no prospect of carrying on the factory, and the proposal should therefoits be abandoned for thepiesent. Mr Rhodes seconded the motion pro forma, Mr Forrest asked what their cheese factories had done for them up to the present ? He was not against the establishment of a factory, for he thought it was a very good tiling, and that ultimately they should require two in the district. But the time had not yet arrived. Before there was a factory in the Waikato district, the worst class of cheese was realising, wholesale, .about 7d or Bd, but immediately the factories begin to produce, the price falls to about sd. This was one of the things which he could not account for. They must find an outside niaiket. The size of thoir cheeses was suitable only for the Auckland market, and would not do at all for the Home market. They would require to make a cheese 2ft. across, and 15 inches deep, before the retail dealer in the old country would put his knife into it, and until they mako such a oheese as this they need never seek a Home market. Mr Hill remarked that the price of everything else, as well as the cheese, had com* down. Mr Parr thought Mr Forrest had made a mistake about the size of the cheese. Cheeses were now being made small. If they could produce a good uniform artiole like the Waikato factory, they would succeed. Mr Watt thought large cheese had the advantage nierely in point of freight. Mr Allvvill proposed, as an amendment, " That a cheese factory be started, and that the following gentlemen be a provisional directory :— Messrs Rhodes, Ferguson, Lewis, Moon, Watt, Allwill, Williams, M. Douglas and Crickett." There was one thing certain, and that was that the factory would bring a good few hundred pounds of cash into the district, and this was what they wanted. Wheat and beef they had found to pay poorly^ and they must now cast about for something which promised to pay them better. Mr Ferguson seconded the amendment. — Mr Forrest having withdrawn his proposition, the amendment became the original proposition, -rife wag then put and parried unanimously. The next meeting was fixed for Saturday evening, the 30th inst., at Gillett'a National Hotel. A meeting of the. provisional directors was held subsequently, when arrangements were' made for a thorough a,nd vigorous canvass of the district. ' , , s

Messrs Lewis >nd Sirhpsdn, Cambri^g?,