FARMERS’ UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIII, Issue 4395, 27 March 1922, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

NGATEA BRANCH. THE ANNUAL MEETING. The 10th annual meeting of the Ngatea branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union was held in the Ngatea Public Hall on Saturday afternoon, Mr Wi G. Hayward presiding. There was a fair attendance of members. Mr Hayward said it was unnecessary to state what big strides had been made in the district since the branch’s inception on October 12, 1912, the inauguraj. meeting being held in Mr J Bratlie’s house. The district had benefited greatly by the activities of the branch. It was practically the only body which had done anything for the district. Amongst other things the branch was instrumental in obtaining was a new post office (promised). The branch had had a conference .with the Thames Hospital Board. It had also met the Paeroa Chamber of jEommer.ee, and due to .that they had the presentbeneficial daily mail services. They had also met the Thames Chamber of Commerce. They had not benefited greatly by that, though they had probably got some benefit. They had also obtained a bakery for the district. The greatest'benefit <jf all was the conference with the Lands Department, and some great improvements had been effected. They had also had a conference with Mr Taylor, resident drainage engineer, re 1 - garding the drains; which are now being improved. He quoted these incidents to show how great the branch had benefited the district He thanked the members for attending regularly. It was the same old faces which he saw each meeting. Mr Davidson said that one of the finest moves the Farmers’ Union branch had “made was to induce the press to attend the meetings. Mr Hayward supported Mr Davidson, saying that the move, had been to their great satisfaction. Mr Davidson moved that the president’s' report be received.—Mr ClaYe seconded, and it, was carried. The secretary, Mr A. Cleaver, could not submit a balance-sheet, as the pass-book had not been returned from the bank.

Mr Hayward moved that the discussion on the balance-sheet be deferred till next: meeting.—Mr Davidson seconded, and the motion was carried. The following officers, were elected —President, Mr W. G. Hayward (reelected) ; vice-presidents, Messrs 1 W. McDuff, G. T. Davidson, and A. Cleaver'; executive committee, Messrs Hayward, McDuff, Davidson, Cleaver, and Shultz; secretary and treasurer,. Mr C. W. Shultz; hon auditor, Mr E. Walton. MY Hayward, moving a vote of thanks to the outgoing secretary, said Mr Cleaver, had done a great amount of work.i A vote of thanks was also passed to the president. - VETERINARY MATTERS. Mr Cleaver reported that he had written, to Dr. Jensen, who had replied that he would address a meeting in the near future regarding the proposed formation of a veterinary club. The doctor would lecture on the most common diseases in cattle. Mr Cleaver moved that seeing Dr.' Jensen was willing to give a lecture, that the doctor should be asked to give a lecture at Ngatea on April 5. Mr R. Burke seconded.—Carried. BUTTER PAYMENTS. Mr Cleaver said he had received a leter fYom the Co-op. Dairy Company, stating that the company w<\s considering obtaining a refund from thosle- who were overpaid. Mr McDuff said there was an amount of over £40»000 overpaid to suppliers. Mr Hayward maintained that a Government' auditor should audit the company’s books. Mr Hayward moved that the convener of the Ngatea factory suppliers’ committee be asked to invite the management and directorate of the N.Z. Co-op. Dairy Company to address ,a meeting at Ngatea, Mr-N. Burke seconded, and the motion was carried.