FARMERS' UNION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 510, 19 October 1912, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

KIO KIO BRANCH. Own Correspondent. A well attended general meeting of the above was held last Saturday to consider the resignation of the chairman and secretary. Mr Budge who conducted the initial stages of the meeting, spoke briefly but generously of the many services rendered to the branch by its resigning leader. It was, he said, a matter for sincere regret that ill-health had compelled Mr Ross to take such a step. He moved thatthe resignation be accepted with regret and sympathy. —Carried. Mr J. Cumpstone was nominated to fill the vacancy, and as no other nomination was forthcoming, that gentleman took the chair. After thanking the members for the honour conferred on him, Mr Cumpstone moved that the secretary, Mr Hudson, be asked to withdraw his resignation.

Mr Hudson, explaining his Dosition, said he was always willing to serve the branch as far as lay in his power, but he could not retain office when his opinions clashed with those of his fellow officers, when his actions had been publicly termed "ill-advised" by one holding a responsible position in the branch, and when he was not sure of the hearty support of the majority. If the members considered his actions had been justified he would resume his position as secretary. Mr Gorringe moved: That this meeting endorse the actions of the re> signing secretary and aak him to resume his office."

The meeting then resolved itself into a free and animated general discussion after which the motion was carried unanimously.

It is to be hoped that this will be the end of a most regrettable incident which has, during the past two months, threatened to impair the utility of one of the union's most efficient and vigorous branches. A series of rather difficult questions, under the heading, "Prospects for the Coming Season." was laid before the meeting. The reading of these questions evoked considerable mirth and many facetious remarks. They were, however, answered, though in a somewhat general fashion. The mere mention of "roads" called forth many and vigorous complaints about their present condition. It seems that, several suppliers have been compelled to cut ti-tree, fill in holes, and dig drains in order to get their milk to the creamery. Such a state of affairs is doubly disgraceful when it occurs a this does on the main road from Te Awamutu to Te Kuiti. It was pointed out that iasfc autumn the County Council granted a considerable sum to be spent this spring in the repair and maintenance of the Kio Kio-Kiikihi road to the county boundary. So far no steps have been taken with this work by the council. It was therefore moved and seconded that the branch should petition the Waitomo County Council for the expenditure of the promised amount and, in addition, for the use of a road grader during the next few weeks. A suggestion by Mr Cooper that, should a grader be not soon available, the council be petitioned to effect temporary repairs to the Kio Kio station road, was included in the original motion, which was then carried without dissent. It was decided that the use of the union's medicine chest should be reserved for cases of emergency only. Hall matters occupied the remainder of the afternoon. It was reported that the timber, in obtaining which at least two months' delay was feared, had actually arrived. The division of labour in connection with the unloading and stacking was approached with due caution by those likely to be concerned. It was, however, decided finally that the present work should be carried out by those at the station end of the township, the carting to be done when the road permits by those at the Puniu end.