OTOROHANGA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 124, 21 January 1909, Page 5

OTOROHANGA.

o (Own Correspondent.) The ordinary monthly meeting of this branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union was held on the 15th January. There were present: Messrs Jno. Ormsby, , (Chairman), Wm. Vicary, T. Turner, C. J. Johnston, C. Cater, W. Roberts, . R. G. Matthews, and H. M. Quin, Hon. j Secretary and Treasurer. The secretary apologised for the unavoidable absence of the vice-Chairman, Mr : Ranby. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. ' The inward and outward correspond- : ence was dealt with as follows- Letter : from the Provincial Secretary re the ' subscriptions asked for Messrs Jones ' and Evans as a testimonial for their 1 services to the Union. Upon the 1 motior\of Mr R. G. Matthews, second ed by Mr Roberts, the secretary was instructed to forward to the Provincial Secretary the amount collected through this branch. Re circular letter from the Dominion President of the N.Z. Farmers' 1 Union, on the motion of R. G. Matthews 1 seconded by C. J. Johnston, the sec- 1 retary was instructed to write to the President, J. G. Wilson, Esq., asking him to have forwarded to this branch a few sample copies of the Farmers' Advocate, in order to induce the farmers of this district' to support and subscribe to a paper run by the N. Z. Farmers' Union, and issued in the interests of the farming community. Re letter from Mr Harris with respect to starting a butter factory at Otorohanga, in which he wi-ihed to know how many cows would be guaranteed in the locality of the proposed factory. It was resolved on the motion of the secretary, seconded by Mr Roberts, that Mr Harris be furnished with full information by the secretary regarding the prospects of an up-to-date butter factory at Otorohanga. Re letter from the Mokau-iti Branch, asking this branch to co-operate with them and the Te Kuiti Branch in - arranging an excursion during the summer months to the Ruakura State Tann, It was decided chat the secretary cdßnmunicate with the Mokauiti Branch, asking for full particulars of the proposed excursion, and to signify the intention of this branch to cooperate in the proposed visit. . The secretary reported upon the results of his enquiries regarding the establishing of a Co-operative and also of a Proprietary Butter Factory in the town, stating his opinion as to the best ways and means of having said factory started, but pointing out that it was absolutely necessary to have a specific guarantee of a given number of cows, before it would be possible to take any further steps in the matter. The report was received, and no action taken. Re Sale Yards. This matter was brought up by the secretary and was fully and generally discussed. The Chairman explained the cause of the delay in acquiring the freehold site for yards on behalf of the Farmers' Auctioneering Coy. Mr R. G. Matthews proposed that the farmers build their own yards. Mr Cater seconded the resolution which was carried. Mr W. Roberts proposed that a Farmers' Saleyards Co,, be formed, with a registered capital of £SOO, to acquire ground, and erect saleyards in Otorohanga, provided the site the Farmers' Auctioneering Co., are now endeavouring to secure, could be transferred to said company when floated. The capital of the company to be divided into 500 share of 4 £1 each. Seconded by the Secretary and earned. The members present were in favour of the yards, whei> erected, being used

by all the different firms of auctioneers doing business in the King Country, preferably on the same sale days, as then the customer of each firm would be catered for. The secretary was also instructed to write to the Farmers' Auctioneering Co., apprising them of the resolution. Salary to Secretary.—The Chairman stated that the Hon. Secretary and Treasurer had carried out his duties well and faithfully since the formation of the branch of the Union, some eighteen- months ago, and as the success, or otherwise, of an organiation depended upon the secretary, it was now time to recognise the work done by him, and to allow something from the funds in the form of a salary to go toward payment for his services. He moved that the secretary be paid one pound per month, such payment to date from the 23rd of August, 1908, one year after the formation of the branch of the Union. Mr R. G. Matthews seconded the motion. Mr W. Vicary proposed as an amendment.that the secretary bepaid £6 per annum for his services, as he considered the fund of the branch would not b2 equal to the amount proposed by the Chairman. Mr Cbas. Cater seconded the amendment, which was lost and the motion carried. A vote of thanks to the chair concluded the meeting.