FARMER'S UNION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 380, 22 July 1911, Page 3

FARMER'S UNION.

OTOROHANGA BRANCH. The ordinary monthly meeting <>f the Otorohanga branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union was held on the 14th inst. There were present: Mr R. G. Matthews, in the char; Messrs J no. Ormsby, Harold Matthews, W. Vicary, Johnson, J. Ormsby. Jun., and H. M. Quin, Secretary and Treasurer. CORRESPONDENCE. From N.Z. State Guaranteed Advances to Settlers Office, re the appointment of a solicitor to represent that Department at Otorohanga.— Received. From Mr G. Wrattan, on Union matters.—Left with the Secretary to deal with. From General Manager New Zealand Railways, with reference to having the Otorohanga Railway-station connected with the local Telephonebureau —Received. From Mr F. A. Pearson, of Awaroa asking for the support of this banch of the Union, to bring pressure to bear on the Minister of Public Works, in order to complete the formation of the Kaimunga road, at the Kawhia pnd. It was pointed out that the settlers in that locality, after seven years of residence on their holdings had as yet only a pack track as their means of outlet to the outside world. —lt was thought by the members present that this was a matter for the Union to interest themselves in, and thereby endeavour vo gain for those settlers in question, their 'r ai \ rights of which they have been deprived for so many years. The Kaimanga v.m.C is a part of the main connection between Otorohanga and the Kawhia harbour, and this will undoubtedly be tho road when completed which will best serve the Government and the people generally, for the transit of mails between Otorohanga and Kawhia.—lt was proposed by Mr Jno. Ormsby, seconded by the Chairman, that the Secretary be instructed to communicate with the Minister in charge, pointing out the urgent necessity for this portion of the road to be completed, and asking him to have a sufficient amount placed on the estimates in order to do this very necessary work. —Carried. From the President of the Waitewhenua Railway League : asking for the co-operation of the Union, in order tefget a Royal Commission set up to enquire into the merits or demerits of the rival routes—OngarueOhura. —This was matter gone into carefully by the member =, present, and the concensus of opinion was not in favour of the setting up of such a Commission. However, it was proposed that the Secretary write to Mr Elliott informing him that the Otorohanga Farmers' Union had that day passed a resolution bearing on the matter of railway connection in the back country.

GENERAL. Mr Jno. Ormsby proposed that in the opinion of this branch of the Union, the time had arrived, when the matter of opening up the back country, by the Government, per medium of railways, commencing fiom Mangaroa, via Waitewhenua and Aria and thence to Waitomo Caves and then on to Otorohanga. connecting with the Main Trunk at the latter place; and also the matter of railway connection between Te Miki on Kawhia harbour and the Main Trunk via the Oamaru valley, thence traversing the Mouakurua sream, and following the valley of the Waipa on a very easy grade to the Main Trunk at Otorohanga, or wherever it might be deemed more suitable. —Mr Johnson seconded.— Carried. It was pointed out to the meeting and conclusively proved, that the shortest and best route to connect Kawhia harbour with the Main Trunk was by the way above indicated. There are no engineering difficulties on this route, and the only work of any magnitude would be a tunnel of quarter-mile in length through the ridge which forms the watershed between the two places at the head of the Oamaru stream. The distance of the line, to make this long talked of connection would be about twenty-six miles, and would pass through some of the best grazing land in the King Country, as well as tapping the great coal seams which exist in the valleys of the Awaroa and Oamaru. It was proposed by Mr Jno. Ormsby that the Secretary be instructed to communicate with the Chief Postmaster drawing his attention to the desirability of calling tenders for a mail delivery between Otorohanga and Kawhia via Pirongia road and Poulsen's hill. Seconded by the Chairman and carried. The Secretary suggested that tenders Bhould be called for this mail service via Hauturu, Honikiwi and Te Awaroa, thus saving the double mail services to the above places which at present obtains and moreover as the settlers had gone in for a loan to metal the road as far as the Oamaru valley, a distance of some twelve miles; this with the completion of the lower end of the Kaimunga road previously referred to would make this without doubt the cheapest, best and most direct route.—Members thought this was undobutedly the best route when completed, but until such was done, the road suggested was the most feasable at. the present time. Mr John Willis (by proxy) proposed that the Minister of Justice be written to with reference to the provision of a morgue at Otorohanga, suggesting that the provision be made when the new court-house and police station were being erected.—The Secretary thought that it was not the function of the Farmers' Union to agitate for a morgue at Otorohanga or anywhere i else, and mentioned the fact of a city like Auckland, which had been agitating for years for such an institution ! without success. Now that Otorohanga had a Town Council duly registered he thought this matter came under their scope of duties, and if they thought i«e institution was necessary, which

he himself very much doubted.—Mr Willis' proposition lapsed for want of a seconder. Mr Jno. Ormsby proposed that a grand ball be held at Otorohanga by and under the auspices of the Otorohanga branch of the Farmers' Union, at a date to be fixed, and that the price of double tickets be 10s 6d and 2s (3d for extra kind ladies.—Seconded by the Chairman and carried unanimously.—A strong committee was formed after the meeting to ensure the ball being brought to a sucessful issue. The meeting closed with the customary vote of thanks to the chair.