Milk Department

Descriptive Data

TypeAgencyOther NamesMunicipal Milk DepartmentDate Range1918-1987DescriptionUnder the Wellington City Milk Supply Act 1910 and Amendments in 1914, Wellington City Corporation was given additional powers for the inspection and control of the milk supply. After concerns about the purity of the milk supply, in May 1917 a Milk Enquiry Committee was established to 'thoroughly enquire into the question'. It recommended that the City Corporation take over control of the milk supply. A milk station, at first termed a "milk clearing house", opened for business in Dixon Street on 20th January 1919 (under the Wellington City Milk Supply Act of 1919).

In some published sources the Milk Department is known as the Municipal Milk Department, and on official letterhead both forms of the name appear. The Department worked under the direction of the Milk Committee. Legal and property matters, such as the purchase of the Rahui Factory in September 1922, were handled through the Town Clerk and Solicitor. Until July 1922, the existing vendors simply purchased their supply through the Corporation Milk Station. After that, the Council took full control of delivery to the consumers, who were divided into five blocks. As well as contracting supplies from all dairy farmers within a 25-mile radius of the City, the Council leased the Rahui Dairy Factory at Otaki to ensure winter supply. Technical experts were employed at the milk station, which also had cool storage and ice-making facilities. The Milk Department moved to new premises in Tory Street in February 1931. In 1987, the Council transferred control of the city milk supply to a Local Authority Trading Enterprise (LATE) known as Capital Dairy Products Ltd.

In February 1991, all shares were sold to Tui Milk Products. Significant office holders: Sometime prior to the opening of the station in November 1917, Robert H Oliver was appointed the first manager of the 'Milk Scheme' or 'Milk Clearing Station House'. For reasons which are not clear, he resigned at the request of the Mayor in June 1918, staying on as an advisor or 'Milk Expert' until December. Henry A Ward was appointed Assistant Manager in August 1918 and made Manager in 1920. He retired in April 1922. RE Herron was General Manager from 1922 until his retirement in 1942.

Series

WCC, Milk Department Accountant's inwards memo book

WCC, Milk Department Manager's letter books of outwards correspondence

WCC, Milk Department Manager's Reports to the Milk Committee

WCC, Milk Department's Instruction books

WCC, Milk Department's newspaper clippings book

WCC, Milk Department, 16mm Motion Picture Films relating to milk

WCC, Milk Department Memorabilia

WCC, Milk Department, Annual reports and balance sheets

WCC, Milk Department, Staff Index Cards

WCC, Milk Department, Staff Appointment Forms

Controlling Agency or Organisation

Controlling Agency or OrganisationWellington City CouncilControlling Agency or Organisation Date Range1870-

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Milk Department