WELCOME RAIN

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21231, 30 September 1940, Page 6

WELCOME RAIN

EFFECT ON PRODUCTION RECORD CHEESE SEASON After a spell of dry weather lasting several weeks, light but steady rain commenced last night. Though more rain is urgently required the amount that has already fallen should have a very beneficial effect on gardens generally. Most gardens were beginning to show the effect of the dry weather, as up till yesterday only 1.44in. of rain had fallen during the month, compared with a September average of 3.88in. For the 48 hours ending 9 o’clock this morning .15in. of rain was recorded in Hamilton. The farming community will also welcome the weekend rain, which should help to maintain production levels. Cheese production to date this season has broken all records, and reports from dairy companies indicate that the Waikato district will be able to supply the extra cheese asked for in the national drive to increase production. New Zealand Company Mr C. J. Parlane, general manager of the New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Limited, states that provided the seasonal conditions continue favourable there is every prospect that the company will produce 4000 tons of cheese in addition to the 14,569 tons which represented the output of its cheese factories last season. Suppliers had made a splendid response to the appeal for a greater output of cheese, says Mr Parlane. Of the company’s 24 cheese factories, all but one were working with full vats, and night shifts had been commenced in several of the factories in order to cope with the immense amount of milk that was coming forward. Several factories had been enlarged to accommodate further vats, and increased storage capacity, and it had been found already that the enlarged premises were needed. It was unusual at this time of the year for all the vats to be filled, but i it looked as if the peak of the season would be earlier than usual.