H—29

The Committee met finally in Wellington to consider what recommendations should be made and for the drafting of its report. This report was handed to the Hon. the Minister on 31st January, and approval has been given to the printing and circulation of the report to interested parties. The report is at present being printed, and it is hoped to circulate it in the near future. Dairy Industry Scholarships and Bursaries During the year arrangements were completed for the following scheme to be operated by the New Zealand Dairy Board out of a special fund to which the Government and Board each contributes £1,360 per annum : (1) The award annually of—(а) One degree (Bachelor of Agricultural Science—Dairy Technology) scholarship of £2BO, of which £lOO shall be paid during the first professional year and £6O during each of the three succeeding years of the professional course. (б) Twenty-five Diploma in Dairying bursaries of £lOO each, payable £3O within a fortnight after commencing Stage I of the course for the Diploma in Dairying, £35 within a fortnight after commencing Stage 11, and £35 within a fortnight after commencing stage 111. (2) The scholarships and bursaries to be tenable only at Massey Agricultural College, . Palmerston North. (3) Degree scholars and diploma bursaries to be selected by a committee comprising the personnel of the Dairy Factory Managers' Registration Board and a representative of the Education Department. By providing financial assistance to selected dairy-factory workers the scheme will assist in the qualification of key personnel in the industry and will give encouragement to younger men to equip themselves for managerial and other administrative positions. Redundant Cheese Plant Officers of the Dairy Division, in conjunction with representatives of the National Dairy Association, are still trying to clear the equipment still remaining from the cheese plant which became redundant as a result of the change back to butter in 1942. The original list value of the plant was £64,000, but this has been reduced considerably by disposals over the past years. The few items now remaining unsold naturally have a greatly-reduced market value and are proving difficult to sell. When the account is closed a substantial loss in realization will undoubtedly be revealed, but when the special nature of the plant and the fact that in the main it could be of use only in cheese-factories are considered the results will not be unsatisfactory. It is expected that the redundant cheese plant accounts will be cleared up within the forthcoming year. Dairy Factory Managers' Registration Board New applications for registration dealt with by the Board for the year under review totalled 39, certificates being granted in 26 cases. There are at present 653 holders of certificates on the register ; 226 hold creamery managers' certificates, 362 cheese-factory managers' certificates, 7 first-class cheese and second-class butter, 1 first-class butter and second-class cheese, and 57 first-class certificates for both butter and cheese.

45