Poor Cheese Packed in Full Cream Crates

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 42, 19 February 1937, Page 2

Poor Cheese Packed in Full Cream Crates

GRADER DISCOVERS MIXTURE IN OVERSEAS CONSIGNMENT

FACTORY .MANAGER FINED AT PAHIATUA A case of considerable interest to the dairy industry throughout the Dominion was heard in the Pahiatua Court yesterday before Mr J. L. Stout, S.M., when Walter Edward Cook, cheese'factory manager, was charged with incorporating inferior cheese during the making of full cream cheese between the dates of September 8 and 14 of last year. The prosecution was brought under the Dairy Regulations, 1933. Cook pleaded guilty to the offence. Appearing for the Crown Prosecutor, Mr N. H. Rawson asked that a similar charge against the Mangahao Co-opera-tive Cheese Company-be withdrawn. The mixing of inferior with full cream cheese from the Mangahao factory was discovered by the grading inspector, who reported the matter, said Mr Rawson. A consignment of cheese was delivered to the grading store and when examined was found to have inferior cheese mixed in the crates. Of 44 crates in the consignment, according to the grader's report, no less than 57 separate cheeses were found when opened to have ten pounds of inferior cheese at the bottom of the hoop. The good curds were packed round the poor cheese. Apparently the hope was that the grader would not strike the mixture during his examination. For United Kingdom. “The consignment was intended for the United Kingdom. Undoubtedly it was hoped to get the inferior cheese out of the country at a price much greater than is allowed for second or third grade produce,'' declared Mr Rawson, who produced photographs taken after the grader's discovery to illustrate how one quality of cheese was packed with the other. Cook was the person solely responsible, declared Mr Rawson. He did not commit the offence with the directors’ knowledge; in fact he acted contrary to their explicit instructions that only finest cheese was to be manufactured. What he intended to get out of it was difficult to say. The company had suffered greatly; the charge had been brought against it merely to enable it to clear its name, but was now withdrawn. May Lose License. “I am instructed not to ask for a heavy line, as Cook's real penalty will come when the Dairy Board reviews his license, which he will possibly lose," stated Mr R.awson. For Cook, Mr 8. K. Siddells said he had acted without the company's knowledge, and now realised the foolishness of what he did. Ho had placed the directors in an extremely unfortunate position. It seemed that every factory, manager was jealous of his grading. No man liked to have the produce of his factory graded second. But in cheese factories there was one factor that threatened them all, and. that was a slow starter, which led to second or third grade produce. Apparently Cook had sought to get rid of this slow starter by incorporating poor with good cheese. The photographs would show tliero was no attempt to obscure the poorer cheese. It was merely placed in the bottom of the hoops in the hope that it would knit, llis great aim was to have his cheese graded first. There was no doubt the great penalty he would suffer would be when the Registration Board considered his license. If, as was probable, that was taken from his he would bo deprived of his livelihood.

Mr Cook read a testimonial from the directors, given in 1935,. showing that Cook had been 16 years engaged in cheesemaking, and had been in his present position for eight years. He was then described as a most satisfactory and conscientous manager, who carried out his duties with skill and care. Th6* grading of his cheese was most satisfactory. Cook was a married man with three children. The maximum penalty for the offence is £SO. Mr Stout said the offence was certainly a serious one. He would impose a fine of £5, with costs. Cook was allowed a month in which to find the money.