ROSS NEWS.

Hokitika Guardian, 26 July 1926, Page 1

ROSS NEWS.

(From Our Own Correspondent). MEETING OF FARMERS. On Friday evening last in tho Coronation Hall, Mr W. R. Harris, Farmers’ Union Organiser addressed a well attended meeting of farmers of Ross and Waitaha districts. Mr Harris explained at length tho aims and work of the Union, tho Union being an organisation of farmers for the welfare and progress of the farming community." He also gave some very* interesting and instructive information re items of interest to every farmer such as top-dressing, manures, etc.

Tho meeting eventually decided to form a Ross-Waitaha Union, which will now make eleven branches on the Coast. Upwards of twenty members were enrolled and tho following elected as officials for the ensuing year.

President, Mr John Minehan; VicePresidents, Mr J. Cropper, Waitaha and Mr Jas. Thomson, Ross; Secretary, Mr J. Murdoch; Auditor, Mr A. IV. Peebles; Committee, Messrs Jas. Davidson, Geo. Linklater, John Trembath, Gerald Rea and A. Hcdwig. A hearty vote ot thanks to Mr Harris for his attendance and instructive address closed .a very successful meeting.

TIMBER SLUMP. The slump in tho timber trade is making itself felt in this district. Tho Totara Sawmill, which has been in active operation for about 30 years lias closed down permanently, their bush having been worked out. As this mill employed between 20 and 30 hands it means 111 considerable loss to the district. Another mill has just put ofi about 25 men in the meantime, so altogether tho outlook is serious as far as this district is concerned, as sawmilling now is its chief industry.

FIRE BRIGADE. The annual meeting of the Ross Tii'c Brigade took place last Wednesday evening. The report presented for tho past year stated new dress uniforms had been supplied to tho whole of the brigade at a cost of over £SO, and that the efforts of the. brigade in meeting this amount had been very satisfactory, tho result of euchre tournaments, j dances, donations etc. had already amounted to over £6O. Further efforts aro being made to raise funds to liquidate the balance and it is anticipated this will be accomplished liming the next few weeks. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted us follows: — Captain, J. K. Mclvay; Lieutenant, W. E. Clarke : Hose Officer, IV. E. Clarke; Foreman. A. Mason; Secretary and Treasurer, A. W. Peebles. It- has been arranged to Hold the annual Fire Brigade Ball on Friday, 6th August. Mr Ross’s orchestra will supply the music. Efforts aro being made*to make this ball even more successful than the previous ones.

The Harihari concert party gave a capital entertainment at Harihari on Friday evening last, being such a success they have arranged to repeat the concert'at Ross on Friday next, the 30th inst. ' The Harihari footballers journeyed to Waitaha on Saturday and played a friendly match. After a very strenuous game the mateh ended in a draweach side scoring 3 points. Mx RCberrie made a capital referee. The Ross Junior Football Club have withdrawn from Hie Rugby code and have invited League teams of Greymouth to visit Ross at an early date and give an exhibition game of League.