TELEGRAMS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 22 May 1914, Page 3

TELEGRAMS.

fPEH PRESS ASSOCIAYTON.]

CONFERENCE OF FARMERS. Hawera, This Day. The fourth annual Tarauaki Provincial Conference of the NewZealand Farmers' Union was held at Pa tea yesterday, 'when a number of remits Avere framed for presentation to the Dominion Conference. These comprised v resolutions dealing with land taxation: (1) Asking foiA an improved system of unimproved value, and (2) that all monies paid to the State for land he classified as improvements. The conference also carried the following remits: That the Minister for Agriculture be requested to • introduce semiofficial testing of grade cows: that legislation be asked tor providing that the Agricultural Department have a registered'brand, for the use of anyone who desires to use it for purposes o* branding cull dairy cattle, and for no other purpose; and that there, be provision prohibiting the ottering for public or private sale stock so branded as dairy stock or without proclaiming the cattle are so branded; that the Government be asked to re-introduce a Stallions Bill, on the same basis as that drawn up last session, and shelved by the Upper House; that all stock inspectors should be qualified in the operation of speying cull oows and heifers. -Resolutions were carried stating that in" the interests of health and the morality of rising manhood it would be desirable to substitute the barrack system for that of camps; and further, that if possible all drills should be held some time during the day. The conference adopted a remit asking for an amendment of the i Valuation Act in the direction of ' having the whole of special loans classed as improvements—the reduction of the repaid portion only being allowed at present.. Mr A. Hunter was re-elected president, and Mr R. Dunn vice-president. Delegates to the -Dominion Conference will be the president and Mr E. Maxwell. BIG GUNS AT WELLINGTON Wellington, This Day. Sir lan Hamilton inspected Fort Dorset to-day. A tierce southerly gale was blowing. The wrecked steamer Devon (at Peucarrow Head) was used as a target for practice firing. Originally it was intended to fire some scores of rounds from the big guns, but in consequence of the weather the discharges were cur(taliled. Of itwenty shots fired-, \ almost all hit the vessel and exploded near or on board, but had no visible •effect on the wreck. The funnel and mast still are - Branding. The weather conditions were extremely unfavourable for shooting. Sir' Tan Hamilton expressed himself gratified by the practice. Half of the shots were fired by the Permanent Artillery and th"e other half by the Territorials. WINDY WELLI.\GTON. Wellington, This Day. A heavy southerly gale, accompanied by blinding rain squalls, swept over the City last- night and this morning. Outside the heads a heavy sea Avas running, and squalls made navigation a difficult problem. At midday there were signs of the gale moderating.