NOTES FROM MOTU.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2058, 1 May 1907, Page 1

NOTES FROM MOTU.

(From our own Correspondent.) The an mini general mooting of the Motu branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on the 20tli inst. Mr. F. Richardson presided. Messrs Alex. Wright and D. Anderson were elected members of the branch. Correspondence was received from the Minister for Public 'Works and Under-Secre-tary, stating that the work of forming the Mot’ll streets will bo put in hand immediately. It was decided to ask Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. to hold another stock salo at Mr. .Richardson's yards on 7th Slay. Already a few lines of wethers and hoggets are promised. All other sottlers having linos to offer are reqosted to send their entries to the firm at once. The routine work being completed, tho chairman gave a review of the past year’s work:—-“In presenting the annual report for the year ending 31st March, 1907, we are again pleased to record- steady and substantial progress. The monthly meetings have been fairly well attended. During the winter months these wore hell in the afternoon, with such good re suits that I would recommend this plan for tho coming winter. It is only by regular attendance and ■;unbilled effort that the best work can be done. Tho membership roll at too beginning of the year totalled ?■'!; now we are pleased to record the trtal to be 49. “ I’lie district has been fortunate in securing a grant of a J-acre -ullage section for a public hall and library site, and also an 8-acre section about one mile from the village as a cemetery reserve. “The project started last year of ohtabling a resident doctor for Motu has fallen through, but the Government generously offered to subsidise our efforts £ for £ up to £1.70. which offer is being 'kept open for a future time. “During the year an important rail- » :vay conference was held at Auckland, delegates from all centres between jisborne, Rotorua, and Auckland at- * lending. This district was ably represented by 'Mr. Elliott, who embraced 'very opportunity of pushing the imlortance of our district and pointing mt the loss to the country and disrict through want of railway connection. Our friend Mr. Whihray has ised still another lever to bring tho dotu to the fore, by obtaining and ending to the International Exhibiion at Christchurch a sample of dotu rimu, which sample we are ileased to hear compared very favoriffy with other exhibits of a like kind .lid for which the exhibitor received gold medal. “We are pleased to state the driving took yards at Waihuka and Mr. tideout’s are almost completed,. the ost of which, viz., £3O 15s 3d, ca e met if all the settlers benefited and not having already subscribed will promptly pay at the rate of Is 6d per 100 acres, being the original levy. i “The state of the roads has, especially this year, been a source of much petitioning. The severe snow storm and flood of July so wrecked the main road that it was nearly Christmas before a waggon was seen at Motu; and _L£_it_liail—notjuuuij^yr-*> l —;r “ 1 J 1 and diplomatic agitation of our local County Councillor matters would ha ve been much worse. The Roads Department has at last extended tho dray road as far as Mr. O. Richmond’s, and a considerable amount of work has been done oil each of the other roads leading from Motu. The Department lias also sanctioned a grant for the forming and metalling of tho Motu village streets, which it is hoped will be spent before tho winter.

“The Motu post office has been extended to a money order and savings bank office, which is much appreciated by all. -■ “On the strength of an utterance made in the House by the Premier that hush districts on main routes would receive liis assistance when applying for telephone connection, rye again applied for Government telephone connection to Motu, and have had the gratifying reply that the desired connection null be made shortly. “On February 12th the Provincial President visited this district and addressed a meeting on the aims, objects, and advantages of the larmeis Union. The day following was held a very successful and enjoyable picnic and social. All enjoyed our firs', picnic so well that members and visitors alike hope that this is just the first of many annual gatherings of a like

nature. “At the invitation of our branch, Alessrs Common, Shelton and Co., represented by Mr. Kingston, attended the meeting on 3rd November to discuss the advisability of starting stock sales at Motu. The matter was taken up heartily on both sides, with the result that on February 19tli a very good initial sale was held at Mr. E. Richardson’s yards. There is also a desire to hold another at the beginning of May if sufficient stock are forthcoming. “Although we do not claim to have secured all the advantage sreferrcd to, yet we feel quite justified in claiming that because of our united interest and efforts most of'These advantages and others have been granted to the district. We wish to tender our heartiest thanks to Mr. IV. D. S. Macdonald for the great interest iio has "taken in our needs when at the Council table, and also for the grant of suitable ground at Wailnika crossing for stock yards. “Mr. Elliott has again represented us at the Proyippml Conference ,ipd Executive meetings, anil we are satisfied that he has been a regular, able, and energetic representative. Although we liavc had some additions to the membership roll, we have also bad some removals, two of the most interested, important) and *ll to loso being Messrs T. AVriglit and AV. J. Baigent, but we hope their successors will_.be as ready to take a share in the work for the public good as they have been. The following committee were elected for the ensuing year: Messrs E. Richardson, Jj). ]!. Thomson, L. E. Campbell, T, Elliott, C, H. Bridge, R. N. Moore, L. Canon, C). Richmond, It. F. Jackson, J. Turner, AV. D. S. Macdonald, and F. Hansen; Mr. Richardson was reelected chairman, Mr. Moore vicechairman, Messrs C. H. Bridge and Moore joint secretaries and treasurer, Air. AA r . D. S. Macdonald delegate to Provincial Conference, and Air. A 7. P. Thomson auditor. It was decided that the next six monthly meetings be Saturday afternoon instead of evening.” At the meeting of subscribers to the public hall and library, Messrs R. F. Jackson, P. Hansen, ami 0, Richmond were nominated trustees. The annual meeting of the Alotu Railway League was then held. Air. T. Elliott, in the chair, gave a short report of tile work of the year. Alessrs Jackson, Elliott, Moore, Richardson, and Bridge were elected the executive committee for the year. Air. Elliott again fills the position of chairman, Air. Jackson was elected deputy-chairman, Air. C. {£. Bridge lion, secretary and treasurer. It was resolved to ask the Minister for Public AVerks to officially open the nest sec-

tiou of tlio railway beyond ToKaraka, and that Mr. Klliott represent the Motn League on the occasion.