N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 387, 16 August 1911, Page 7

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

OHURA BRANCH

The monthly meeting of the Ohura brancn of the. Fanners' Union was held on Saturday afternoon. Present Messrs G. Denison—chairman. R. Esdaile, J. Risk, E. Mosaman, G. H. Hutton, F. Romayne, G. C. Stevenson, W. G. Farige, J. McGinlay, W. J. McKenzie, J. L. Robinson. E. J. Curie, A. Clark. E. W. Howie, H. Chapman, R. Weinberg, St. G. Heresford—sec. Correpsondence was dealt, with From the Department of Lands, re motion passed at last meeting in favour of having section at the head of the Managkara stream thrown open for settlement, stating that the disposal of this land is at present under the consideration of the Government.

From the Ohura County Council, stating that the question of public pound "will be dealt with at next meet ing of the Council. From the Resident Engineer stating that instructions have been given to form a road six feet in width to give access to the Town Hall in the Mangaroa township. This will suffice at present, and when the road is cleared of stumps, the full width of roadway will then be former]. From Mr W. T. Collins, Government Veterinarian, Hamilton: "I have just received from Mr Lyons, Vet. Supervisor, Auckland, a letter re giving a lecture in veterinary matters before your branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union. I shall be pleased to come up and give a lecture next month August. The 15th, lGth and 17th will suit me. Kindly let me know if any of these dates will be convenient for you. If not, please let me know the dates that will suit you best."—lt was decided to ascertain if Mr Collins can deliver his lecture en the date of the nest monthly meeting, 2nd September.

A circular was read from the Secretary of the Waikato Farmers' Cooperative Bacon Company inviting support. Mr Mossman asked if anything further had been heard of the proposed visit of Mr Dimock. The secretary replied that he had supplied Mr Dimock with the dates of three forthcoming meetings, but had not heard from him since.

From the Department of Agriculture, giving information on the growing of sugar beet. The Secretary stated he had received a letter from Mr Wille intimating that he would be unable to meeting and asking that motions of which he had given notice be withdrawn.

From Mr W. S. Woof, on the opening of a road bewteen Taranaki and Waikato and disagreeing with the attitude of the Union, contending that it was not a local but an important trunk road.

The Chairman said he had made enquiries and ascertained from the ranger that there wns only a mere blind road leading from the Waitewhena to Mokau. He had instructel the Secretary to place this matter on the order paper so that the branch should re-open the whole question of what stand they should take up in regard to the advocacy of roads. Let them aecide now whether they would uphold their previous stand and refuse to advocate any road in the district, or whether they would try and get the Government to push on with roads. Mr Mos3man: Would they decide for any particular road? The Chairman: No, in a general way. They could take it for granted that if they went for any road in the district they would have to urge the lot. Most of the roads were under the authority of the Roads Department, and the County Council seemed to have little authority over roads in the district. Therefore, it would probably be a good thing if the settlers or some other body assisted them. There was no doubt the Farmers' Union throughout New Zealand carried some weight with the Government. Then again the question cropped up as to which was the main road. No doubt Mr Woof was right when he said the Taranaki-Waikato was or .would be a main stock route. But there were so many of these main route it was hard to know where to draw the line. Mr MeKenzie said the first thing they should see to was to get the road to Ongarue put in good order.

The Chairman said that was where they fell foul of Mr Woof, who maintained the Ongarue was a road which led to nowhere.

Mr McKenzie: That's only the opinion of one man. It suits us all right. I think those who advocate certain reads should attend. Mr Stevenson said the matter could well be left to the County Council. Recently that body, at the invitation of the Works Department, drew up a list of grants required for roads in the County, also the ones they were prepared to administer. If they weie successful in obtaining these, and he believed they would be, the Waitewhena and other roads would be well served.

Mr Mossman said he understood that the route from Taumarunui, via the Kururau and Waitangata roads, through NihoNiho, and on to Te Kuiti would be the main stock route. Mr Stevenson: That is recognised by the . Department as an important route.

After considerable discussion, the question was practically shelved.

Mortality in Calves. —Members listened with interest to Mr Mosman's remarks on this subject, in the course of which he mentioned the puzzling symptoms of his own calves. In view of the promised visit of a veterinarian no motion was submitted Main Road Traffic—Mr Risk moved that the Minister's attention be drawn to the damage being done to the Ongarue road by timber waggons, and that he be asked to give instructions to prevent the cartage of bridge timber until the road has dried up. Seconded by Mr Esdaile and carried. It was decided to endeavour to get an extra vote for the Ohura Po3t Office.

Other business dealt with was the registration of brands, the advertising of sales, cow testing and a police station.