OTOROHANGA.

King Country Chronicle, Volume III, Issue 153, 6 May 1909, Page 5

OTOROHANGA.

(Own Correspondent.)

The annual meeting of the Oterobangs Branch of the New Zealand Farmers* Union was held on tbe 30th April at Mr Cater'* boarding house. There were present: Messrs J. Ranby, R. G. Matthews, H. Mandeno, A. J. Ross, H. Matthews and H. M. Quinn, secretary and treasurer. Several absent members sent apologies for their unavoidable absence, whilst othwr members were tnf(9gtti at the Court, which was sitting the same time. Mr Ranby took the choir, and the minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed.

- Correspondence. • Correspondencee was received from Messrs Greenslade and Jennings, and also from the Minister of Railways relative to the question of having a goodahed erected at Kio Kio.

—Election of Officers.—

The following officers were elected for tbe ensuing year:—Mr John Ormsby, re-elected chairman; Mr 11. M. Qoinn, secretary and treasurer; Mr H. Matthews, auditor; Messrs H. M. Qoinn, A. J. Ross. John Ormsby. H. Mandeno, Wa Vicary, R. G. Matthews, G. Ranbv and H. Matthews, executive. —Delegate to Conference. - It was proposed by the Secretary. seconded by R. S. Matthews, that Mr J. Rosa be selected to represent the Branch at the Provincial Conference.— Carried. —General Business.- • Mr Ranby proposed, that the Secretary communicate with the Manager of tbe Bank of New Zealand at Te Awamutuin order to ascertain whether ho would be agreeable to open a Branch at Otorohanga during one ifay par week Friday for preference. Mr Mandeno seconded the motion which was carried. Members in Default. Mr R. S. Matthews proposed, and Mr A. J. Ross seconded, that the secretary be instructed to draw attention of defaulters to Rule 4, which provides for expulsion of members who have failed to pay their subscription. Carired. Mr A. J. Ross spoke re the proposed Kio Kio telephone exchange icrvice, and after general discussion the matter was left over until next meeting.

Mr R. S.Matthews proposed that the Branch txprses Us regret at the fact of one of our best members, in the person of Mr H. Mandeno.leaving the dtstiret. Mr Ranby seconded and the proposition was carried with acclamation. Mr Mandeno replied stating that he was sorry to be leaving such good company, and although absent, he would continue to take as much interest in the doings of the Otorohanga Branch as heretofore.

The football season opened here on Saturday. May Ist. with a local match. Bush v. Town. The respective teams were captained by Mr W. Bathgate and Mr D. Turner. After a very close and exciting game Town won by 5 points. The scores were Town J4. Bush 9.

The annual dinner was held in Mr Ormsby's boarding house after the mateh. when both teams and the honorary officers of the club partook of a sumptuous repast, prepared under the supervision of Mr and Mrs D. Oraisby. After the dinner the adjourned annual m -eting was held to confirm the election of Mesirs W. Eveteigh. W. Hyde. F. £. Lowe and J. Ormsby to be life members of the Otorohanga Football Club, which the meeting did amidst hearty applause. At the conclusion of the meeting the club invited all the patrons toa social evening in the dining room, when » very pleasant evening was spent. The usual toasts and speeches were delivcred.soitable to the occasion, as welt as songs by Messrs Fofstcr, Newton, Burchctl, Worthington and Absotum. Recitations by Messrs Conntham and Cumpstone were also given. After three cheers for the Club the company dispersed for home.

Owing to the conflicting opinions among the residents of Otorohanga as to the most suitable site for the new nost-ornee.for which tenders have been called and accepted by the Government, there is a likelihood of the matter be-

ing hung up indefinitely. This is very much to be regretted as. had the restdents not interfered, in all probability the building would have been completed by now, and, as the edifice is to cost £I.OOO, it wootd have been an imposing addition to the architecture of this growing centre. The Court was occupied nearly the whole of Friday last in hearing a ease in which two men were accssed of the theft of several miscellaneous articles front some Native's bosh camp. Three

Ja»P. occupied the Bench, and a great amount of evidence was was called. * One of the accused proved himself to ha a master of the art of cross-examin-ing witnesses, which is a rare gift in a layman, and it was rather evident that be had some former experience of Court proeeedure.