FARMERS’ UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4731, 30 July 1924, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

MEETING OF NGATEA BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the Ngatea branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ Union was held on Monday evening, the president, Mr J. Bratlie, presiding over Messrs T. Leonard, J. Darlington, G. T. Davidson, W. McDulf, W. Lawrence, C. W. Schultz, W. Davies, G. Phillips, and E. W. Martin, secretary. COUNTY BRIDGE POLICY. In regard to the request of the Netherton Ratepayers’ Association to oppose the policy of the County Council hi obtaining an Empowering Bill to enable It to make all bridges a charge on the whole county, it was pointed out that if the Netherton riding succeeded in getting out of the Kirikiri bridge rating area the Ngatea riding would be double rated. Other members expressed the opinion that it would not be wise .to give the Council power to raise loans for bridges without a poll of the ratepayers That bridges should be a charge on the whole county wais the view of Mr J. T. Darlington, but he pointed out that the Ngatea riding was in the same position as Netherton in that it was already paying for a bridge. Mr, W. McDuff said that he was in favour of the policy only if there was a poll of the ratepayers. Mr C. W. Schultz moved, and Mr Darlington seconded pro forma, that the letter be received. The motion was declared carried on the voices. PRICE OF BREAD. Mr J. Bratlie reported upon an interview with the local baker, as requested by the previous meeting, in regard to the price charged for bread. The baker had stated that his charg- • B were similar to those at Turua and Thames. DEPUTATION TO WELLINGTON. Mr Bratlie reported that he had communicated with Mr T. W. Rhodes, M.P., and had asked when the Minister would receive the County Council’s deputation in regard to drainage matters. He had been informed that up to the present a report had not been received from the Lands Department. In his opinion the Lands Department was unnecessarily delaying the report, and some steps should be taken to ensure the deputation being received before the flood had been forgotten'. The executive of the Parmens’ Union had decided to send a delegate with the deputation. The executive was now' of the opinion that the Lands Department was laughing at the efforts of the settlers. If the Council would stand being laughed at the Union executive w'ould not. Mr Schultz objected to the method of approaching the Minister, contending that more good would je done by merely stressing that the scheme was inadequate than by demanding that certain work be carried out. He was in favour of a commission to investigate the position. It wats decided to telegraph on the matter. The action of the executive in deciding.to send a delegate was appioV' ed. NGATEA POST OFFICE. The vexed question of the inadequate size of the Ngatea post office was brought up by Mr J. T. Darlington. who pointed out that telephones or private letter boxes could not be obtained as there was’no room in the present building for a larger switchboard or another nest of letter boxes. He did not know of any, office in the country doing as - much business in such a confined space. He moved that urgent representations be made to have a new office erected. Seconded by Mr Davidson and car--ried. ROAD TO RAWERAWE. In reply to Mr G. T. Davidson the secretary said that no reply had been received from the member for the Thames district with reference to a definite statement from the Lands De - partment regarding the Rawerawe canal and its bearing on the completion of the road from Ngatea to the Raweiawe wharf.