FARMERS' UNION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VII, Issue 568, 17 May 1913, Page 3

FARMERS' UNION.

A NEW BRANCH. A very well attended settlers' meeting convened by the Pukemapou Settlers' Association was he'd last Friday in the Mangaoronga school house. The object of the, gathering was to discuss the proposal to form a branch of the Farmers' Union in the district. Mr Sircombe waß voted to the chair. The meeting was due largely to the efforts of Mr W. Hudson, secretary of the Kio Kio branch. The latter gentleman briefly addressed the meeting. The advantages to be gained by the formation"of a branch, he said, were manifold. Private effort and private influence could do very little towards providing a district with such essentials as good roads and postal facilities. But when allied to so well organised and so widely supported a body as the Union, any petition they might make would receive such hearty support that it was certain of at least a fair hearing at headquarters. He instanced the unqualified success which had attended the efforts of his own Kio Kio branch. Allied to the main organisation was the Indenting and Trading Association, by means of which a settler, being a member of the Union, could obtain substantial reductions in the prices of implements, etc. A farmer was therefore acting in his own interests by be coming a member of the Union since it was only by joining that body that he could enjoy the privilege of membership of the Trading Association. After some discussion it was decided that the settlers should form a new branch to be known as "Mangaoronga." Thirteen members were elected from those present, but it is expected that the membership will be increased to at least twenty within the next few weeks. The election of officers resulted as follows: Chairman, Mr Sircombe; secretary and treasurer, Mr W. H Swainson. It is anticipated that the new body will replace the Pukemapou and Rangiatea Settlers' Associations. It is believed that Wharepuhanga settlers will throw in their lot with their Mangaoronga brethren. These will increase the membership considerably, so that when the rest of the Rangitoto block is opened, as it is to be shortly, the newly formed branch should be fairly strong numerically. That it will be vigorous and healthy is certain if one may judge by the enthusiasm shown by its officers and members.

It was resolved at the meeting that efforts should be made to secure a road up the Mangaoronga Valley from Kio Kio. Such a road is eminently desirable for all parties concerned. Not only will it provide ready access for the back country settlers to the railway, but the consequent increase of traffic should be sufficient to warrant the erection of the much needed goods shed at Kio Kio railway station. Ranginui settlers did not miss the opportunity of enlisting the aid of their member, Mr J. A. Young, when he visited their district a short time ago. Members of the Settlers' Association drove him over the track of the required Tokanui-Mangaronga formation, and asked his support in their efforts to have the remaining four miles done as soon as possible. Mr Young said that, should they decide to renew their petition he would give it bis full and heartiest support.