COUNTRY NEWS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2172, 23 April 1908, Page 1

COUNTRY NEWS.

MOTU. (From Our Special. Correspondent.) The niinunl mooting of tho Motu branch of tho N.Z. Fal'mor.s’ Union was hold at- Motu on tho lltli inst. A good number of members were >->reffiiit, and Mr. E. Richardson was in the chair. Tho report showed a total membership of 58, and tho branch had a credit balance of £5 4s 7d.

Tho report, which was read by the secretary, congratulated the members on the steady progress that had been made by the Union during the past year. Mention was made of tho recent visit of the Minister for Lands to Motu, and the requirements of the district, ns presented to tho Minister, woro detailed. Tho stock sales held by Common. Shelton and Co. woro so successful that a Motu Cooperative iSaleyards Co. was formed, and the first sale in tho yards will bo held on May 2nd. The Public Library Trustees had obtained a small grant from tho Government, and a public reserve of 15 acres bad also been granted. A weekly mail service between Gisborno and Opotiki, via Motu, had been started, and was a great convenience. Tho Roads Department had .formed, drained, and metalled tho Motu village streets. A Government .'telephone service with Motu had b.bon completed, and the Rakauroa, Matawai, and Motu offices wore now. connected. A suggestion to form)' in tho interests of the AVai'kohii riding, a new county, consisting of tho present Waikohu riding and that portion. of tho Opotiki County that is in tho Hawke’s Bay Land District, was made, and would require immediate attention. The report also expressed high appreciation with the enthusiastic and consistent services of Mr. IV. D. S. Macdonald on the County Council.

Tho report was adopted. Officers were elected as follows: Chairman, Mr. R. F. Jackson; vicochairman, Mr. T. E. Elliott; lion. sec. and treasurer, Mr. V. p. Thomson; auditor, Mr. IT. Jackson; delegate to provincial conference, Mr. C. IT. Bridge. Votes of thanks were accorded to the retiring officers for the manner in which they had performed their various duties.

On tho same date as the above meeting, the annual meeting of the Motu Railway League was also held. Mr. T. E. Elliott took the chair. The report. gave a resume of the work done during, tho past year, and asked that tlie membership, at nrosent numbering 31, should bo greatly increased. Sir Joseph Ward is expected at Motu next month, and it is hoped that largo numbers will meet tlie I rentier, ami press upon him the great need for more celerity in tlie building of the railway. Tlie Hon. Mr. McNab’s advico was—“Agitate—lot your district’s requirements bo known over and over again,” and it is trusted members will bear this advice in mind. The report was adopted, and the following officers were elected: Chairman, Mr C. H. Bridge; l)iii. sec. and treasurer, Mr. G. Anderson. RAKAUROA.

•At a meeting of Rakauroa and Matawai settlers, held on Saturday last, it was decided, after hearing an address given by Cr. TV. D. S. Macdonald, to approve of a proposal to sever the old Waikohu riding from the Cook County and to form a new county with that area, together with that portion of the Opotiki County within the Hawke’s Bay Land District. The suggestion was also approved of the previous week at a meeting at Motu, and Cr. Macdonald lias intimated his intention of having a Bill and proceeding with the matter during the coming session.