FARMERS’ UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4386, 6 March 1922, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

NGATEA BRANCH. The Ngatea branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union me.t in the Public Hall on Saturday, Mr W. G. Hayw.ard presiding over a good attendance. BLOCKAGE OF DRAINS. Mr W. Clark complained that a quantity of his land was under, water as a result of the recent rains. He thought the blocking of the drains had caused the flooding. A member asserted that animals which were often in the drains were responsible for the blockage. Mr Davidson thought the drains should be kept cleared, and suggested writing to the Lands Department, bringing the matter under their notice ojice again. Iff was decided tp notify the Lands Department and County Cpuncil that pigs and cattle were still damaging drains. It was resolved to ask Mr E. Taylor, resident engineer, to meet the settlers, who would put before him the urgency of z efficiently cleaning all drains. COUNTY BY-LAWS WANTED. Mr Clare brought before the meeting the fact that vehicles were being driven on the roads at night time without lights, and he thought the County Council should formulate bylaws. Mr Hayward said the County bylaws would soon be in force. Mr Clare also mentioned the fact that' horses were often ridden along the rcJads at a dangerous speed- at night time. It was decided to bring before the County Cpuncil the fact that vehicles were often driven at night time without lights. VETERINARIAN REQUIRED, Mr R. BuTke said that if a veterinarian had been in the district *ie would have saved £2OO last year, and there were others similarly situated. Mr Burke continued t’hat if nothing was done at the meeting to forward a veterinary club he would joip the Turua club. Mr Shultz: And I will follow Mr Burke. • Mr Hayward said that if there was a way of financing the project, they should go on with it. Mr McClean thought it better to run one veterinary club (In the Plains rather than two. Mr Hayward thought the Plains could accommodate two, Mr Cleaver contended that providing sufficient support' was obtainable the formation of a veterinary club would be to the benefit of the district. There appeared to be a diversity of opinion regarding whether a club should ho formed. Mr Hayward said all should guaiantee enough money to pay for a canvass to see whether sufficient support was obtainable. Mr Shultz moved that the secretary write to Captain Simpson asking him at what guarantee he would practice in the district. Mr R. Burke secondr ed, and the motion was carried. . SOIL SAMPLES. It was resolved to write to Mr Deeble, assistant fieldTinstructor, asking him when he would take another sample of soil in the district. BAKERY BUSINESS. Mr Cleaver reported that the baker who was proposing to start a bakery business at Ngatea would require a large number of bricks to be carted for making his oven. Mr Cleaver proposed that the baker should be lent a horse and dray for the purpose. All members unanimously agreed to alternately put a horse and dray at the new baker’s disposal when required. A motion off condolence was passed to Mrs Phillips and family in their recent sad bereavement.

TURUA BRANCH. STEPS TO PROGRESS. About 30 members attended a meeting of! the Turua branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union on Friday evening, Mr G. Gray presiding. There were discussed several matters pertaining to Hie, future prosperity and advancement of the town and district, and if the desired improvements are effected Turua should he as well equipped and as up to> date as any district m the Dominion. A RESIDENT DOCTOR. It, was reported that efforts had been made to obtain 100 guarantors for the purpose of having a doctor resident at Turua. A canvass of the district had been extremely successful, and 108 guarantors had been obtained, with a possibility 'of gaining 50 more, in the Turua and Kopuarahi districts. The name Qf Dr. Bathgate had been given the secretary as a physician who had had considerable experience and who would probably accept the opening. Dr. Bathgate had subsequently been written to, and he had visited Turua recently, when he had, stated that if a. sufficient guarantee could be obtained he would be prepared tp commence practice immediately. The position appeared to be favourable to the meeting, which expressed satisfaction at the success of the canvass. The secretary was instjructed to ask Dr. Bathgate .to meet the guarantors on a date suitable to him and discuss the matter. THE HAIRDRESSER. A variety of applications, totalling 14, were received in answer to an advertisement for a hairdresser and tobacconist for Turua. The applicants hailed from the King Country to the far North. Some were out of work, especially those in the King Country, where there had been a slump in the trade. The questions which were asked were numerous some inquiring the population of Tu,rua and others asking how much electric power was used. Messrs G. Gray, J. Bennett, and JE, Green (secretary) were deputed to scrutinise the applications and Invite a few of the best, to make personal application. DEMAND FOR OFFICES. The difficulty of providing efficient housing and office accommodation for the future business requirement’s of •Jjonttnued In next column).

Continued from previous Column. Turua presented itself to the meeting. The Farmers’ Union was encouraging the establishment of new enterprises in the township, but at the same time failing to provide the necessary housing and office accommodation. In respect of this matter Messrs GGray, D. G. McMillan, ’and Jj & Green were asked to make inquiries to ascertain if there was any person enterprising enough' to erect the necessary buildings, the rent for which, it was contended, would pay' the interest on the cost of erection. THE CONSTITUTION. The question, was raised as to what should entitle a man to membership of the Farmers’ Union. It was contended on one Hand that the Union should be for' all in the district, but on the other hand this was disputed, the assertion being that the Farmers’ Union was essentially a farmers’ organisation. to which only farmers were entitled to membership. If the local people wanted a body to represent all in the district (business men, farmers, and others) a ratepayers’ association should be formed. FARMERS AND POLITICS, A communication was, receive.! from the provincial executive advising that Farmers’ Union representatives would be contesting several, electorates (including Thames) at the coming general elections. There was some diversity of opinion as to whether or not the proposal should be supported. It was decided to defer further discussion till next meeting, when more information, it was hoped, would be available.