N. Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXVI, Issue 4835, 27 May 1925, Page 2

N. Z. FARMERS’ UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING AT NGATEA. A NEW CONSTITUTION. After seveial vain attempts to hold 'he annual meeting Of the Ngatea iranch pf the N.Z. Farmers’ Union advantage was taken of the presence >f many members to hold the meeting it the conclusion of the Veterinary Club meeting on Monday last. Mr J. Bratlie presided over the ibllowing. Messrs J. Darlington, C Lawrence, C. W. Schultz. A. Rowlings, T. McClean, G. Phillips, E. Muggeridge, R. Burke, A. Cleaver, and E. Martin (secretary). The balance-sheet was adopted subject to audit. It showed a credit balance at the beginning of the financial yr ar of £2l 3« 10d, and at the eiul of the year of £2 14's lOd. . The president in his annual repor’mentioned the efforts of the union during the year. The union had been active in regard to the drainage ques-. tiiMi, and the provision of a recreation grcunti. Towards the latter a subsidy of £2OO, or possibly £250, had been promised by the Minister for Lands. Effotts had been made to get the County Council to provide passing places on the Orchard bridge, and it was undrestood that the timber was now on the riverbank. The price of bread had received attention, as also had the administration of the da’ry company, the establishment tf a bacon factory in the district, Parliamentary representation, wandering -tock on roids, ihnoculation of cows, banking facil’ties, and the wastage electrical supplies by the. power board A fan result had been achieved through the union’s activities. VOTE OF SYMPATHY. A vote of sympathy with the relatives of hte late Prime Minister was cairied, members standing in silence. VOTES OF THANKS. Prior to leaving the chair the pres.den moved a vote of thanks to the secretary, Mr E. NV. Martin, vvhicn was carried by acclamation. A vote of thanks was also accorded the retiring chairman Mr J. Brathe. OFFICERS. officers appointed for the ensuing yc-.>i' were : President Mr A. Cleavei , vice-presidents, Messrs J. Bratlie and J. Darlington ; secretary and treasurer. Mr E. W. Martin ; committee, officers and Messrs T. McClean, G. Phillips, and E. Muggeridge. SUBSCRIPTION. In view o? the fact that of the picsent subscription of 30k per annum •>5- was retained by the provincial branch, and that the local branch received little or no benefit from the rest of the union, and that the -5s from each member was hardly sufficient to me t local expenditure while ‘lu high fee was a bar to membership, it was decided to break awa? from the N.Z. Farmers’ Union and form a loca. organisation to be known as the Hanraki Plains Farmers Union. Subscription fees were fixed at 10s 6d per annum, and it was decided to hold meetings monthly in Hie Ngatea Hall at S P.m. on the first Monday in the month. RECREATION GROUND. Considerable disewssion look plaea on the past operations in the matter of securing a recreation ground tor Ngatea, and a scheme was outlined (hat might be workable. Messrs T. M.-Clean, J. Bratlie, and J. Darlington were deputed to go into the question and report to the next meeting.