A VETERINARY CLUB FORMED.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXII, Issue 4348, 28 November 1921, Page 4

A VETERINARY CLUB FORMED.

NEW PLAINS ORGANISATION. HEADQUARTERS AT TURUA. The inaugural general meeting of the Hauraki Plains Veterinary Club was held in the Victoria Hall Turua, on Friday afternoon, over 60 members attending. Dr. Jensen, convener of the meeting, called for nominations for chairman, and Mr White was elected- to that position. Mr White said there had been a great deal cf sickness among tire stock, in the district. Dr. Jensen’s proposition would be a splendid one, even if, it entailed double the cost. Dr Jensen explained that the idea of the club was to prevent disease among cattle more than curing it. The time lhad come when a veterinary surgeon was required on the Plains; The proposition was in favour of lie farmer. The salary of £BOO per year was a salary which, could easily be exceeded, by a private veterinarian. The initiation fee was to provide a dispensary, which would be more profitable (than other arrangements for obtaining medicines. The remaining £4 4s was to go to the veterinarian’s salary. There were at present 151 members enrolled, and he thought there would be no difficultyIn obtaining the other 50. If a vecinarian could not be obtained in New Zealand there would be no difficulty in obtaining one 'outside at £Bo'o per year. The chairman, speaking of the election of a committee, said the executive should be a representative one from each part of! the district. Mr P. Henry moved that Turua should be the headquarters of the club. Dr. Jensen maintained that Turua was more central for tjhe district and had a better telephone service than any other place on the Plains. If he

, were lucky enough to obtain the posii.tion he would like Hikutaia. (Laugh- ! ter.) Mr H. Hicks seconded Mr Henry's proposition, and Turua was duly appointed the headquarters of the club. ’ Mr Henry proposed and Mr C. Ansford seconded, that the committee shou’d consist of -seven members, two of which sh.ould be from Turua and one each from the other districts. The motion was lost. Mr A. Robertson contended that Turua was asking (too much, having the headquarters and an ex.tra member on the executive, and moved an amendment that the executive shouU consist of only one from each district, with power to add to the number Gf districts-. This was seconded by Mr- Hicks and was eventually carried. A further amendment by Mr W. Madgwick .that the representation should be according to the number of factories, with. a representative from Kerepeehi, which has no fiactor y making seven on the executive, and Mr Hale seconded, but the motion was negatived. The following executive committee was elected: Messrs S. S. Murray (Turua), J. Whitmore (Kopuarahi), J... H. Nicholson (Kerepeehi), B. Johnson (Netherton), P. Corbett (Hikutaia), Johnstone Bailey (Wharepoa). The committee was given power to add to the number of districts and representatives. Mr Madgwick raised a point whether the scheme proposed by Dr. Jensen or the Government scheme wtu to be adopted. Dr. Jensen said it was understood that his suggestions were to be adopted as the members had joined under the suggestions put forward by him. On the motion of Messrs Hicks and Robertson the proposals put forward by Dr. Jensen were adopted, and that the committee have power to draw up conditions of appointment. Mr Madgwick moved an amendment that the executive should decide all

matters embodied in the motion.. Mr Henry seconded but the amendment was defeated. Dr. Jensen said the veterinarian’s salary of £BOO to be derived flrom the four guineas might, appear a great deal, . considering the Government veterinarians received only about £650, but it would entice the better men to apply for the position. It was decided that the committee should elect its own secretary alt the next meeting. A vote of tihanks to the chair and to Dr. Jensen , proposed by Mr Hicks, was carried with acclamation. The committee decided to meet at Turua on Monday afternoon, and Dr. Jensen promised to alttend to help in ali matters possible.