FARMERS' UNION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 250, 13 April 1910, Page 5

FARMERS' UNION.

Otorohanga Branch. The* annual meeting of this branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held the other day. Present —Mr R. G. Matthews (in the chair), Messrs Jno.- Willis, A. J. Ross, L. Reynolds, Albert Grig, Johnsoh, R. J. Gregg, James Rogers, Harold Matthews, P. O'Donnell, N. Frim, John Orsmby, Wm. Vicary and H. M. Quin, secretary and treasurer. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Mr R. G. Matthews proposed Mr Jno. Burke, Kio Kio, as a member, Mr P. O'Donnell seconded. —Elected. The inward correspondence' was dealt with as follows: —■ Letters from Messrs Jno. Ormsby, Wm. Vicary and P. D. Hargreaves. — Raceived. From W. T. Jennings, Esq., M.P., in reference to the urgent requirements and improvements required at the Otorohanga station and goods shed. —Received. From Provincial Secretary (Mr A. Schmitt), enclosing suggested remits .for the coming annual conference to be held in Auckland. —Received. From Dominion Secretary, ( asking the support of the branch' in furthering the interests of the Farmers' Union newspaper, the "Advocate " Received. From the'Te Kuiti branch, re the recent visit of the provincial secretary. —Received. From Postmaster-General, re town clock for new post office at Otorohanga. —Received. From Commissioner Crown Lands, Auckland, in reference to lands this branch of the Union thought should be thrown open for selection. —Received. From president Maniapoto - Tauwharetoa Native Land Board with reference to his jurisdiction over the streets and roads in and around the township of Otorohanga.—Received with coldness. A lot of matters from the provincial secretary was also dealt with. Mr Jno. Willis proposed that a petition be circulated and forwarded to the Traffic Manager New Zealand Railways, drawing his attention to the scandalous way in which goods are left uncared for at the Otorohanga goods shed. Mr Johnson seconded. — Carried. Mr Jno. Willis proposed that a delegate be sent to the conference from this branch. Mr P. O'Donnell seconded. —Carried. The secretary gave a resume pf the past year's work and read out the financial position of this branch, which showed on the 31st March, 1910, a credit balance of £2 19s lljd, as well as there being £SO odd due to the branch by careless members who had neglected to pay their subscriptions, a few of whom had never paid any subscriptions although they joined three years ago. Those members were generally condemned by the members present, and it is to be hoped that they will see the error of their ways and pay their dues as in duty bound, instead of leaving it all to their fellow members, which is very unmanly, to say the least about it. Mr Johnson proposed a vote of thnaks and appreciation for the past work done by Messrs Ormsby and Quin in the interests of the branch, which has now a membership of 85, and still growing.—Carried unanimously. As all the last year's officers under the rules had to retire, an election took place to fill their vacancies, which caused keen interest among those present, and the following were elected: —Chairman, Mr R. G. Matthews, nominated by Mr Johnson and seconded by Mr Willis, elected unanimously; vice-chairman, Mr Jno. Willis, nominated by Mr Quin seconded by Mr Matthews; secretary and treasurer, Mr H. M. Quin, nominated by Mr Johnson, seconded by Mr Willis; auditor, Mr Harold Matthews, nominated by Mr Quin seconded by Mr P. OD'onnell; delegate to Provincial Conference, Mr H. M. Quin, nominated by Mr R. G. Matthews seconded by Mr R. F. Gregg (Mr Matthews proposed, seconded by Mr Jno. Willis, that the delegate be allowed £5 5s out of the branch funds towards his expenses, which was carried); branch executive, Messrs H. M. Quin, J. G. Ranby, Wm. Vicary, Jno. Ormsby, A. J. Ross, C. J. Johnson, John Willis, R. G. Matthews, R. F. Gregg, L. Reynolds, James Rogers, P. O'Donnell and N. Prim.