N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Matamata Record, Volume II, Issue 103, 24 October 1918, Page 2

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

EVlatamata Branch. The monthly meeting of the Matamata branch of the N.Z. Farmers’ union was held on Friday, Mr 11. Rollett presiding. NEW MEMBERS. Messrs M. Bates, W. Sanders, and H. Johnson, • were elected members of the branch. ELECTRICITY. The secretary of the Tai Tapu Co-op. Dairy Co., Ltd., (Christchurch), in response to a letter forwarded by the branch, in connection with electricity, replied as follows: “We have a factory situated at Tai Tapu, 12 miles south-west of Christchurch, and when the Lake Coleridge scheme was under way we made representations with the view to securing electric power at our factory. We afterwards found that it was impossible to secure electric power at Tai Tapu for the revenue that was offered by the factory. In negotiations with the Department of Public Works, we ascertained the amount of revenue that they desired from a district such as ours. This led us to consider the question of electricity. We then made full investigations and enquiries and canvassed the district. Finding the opinion generally to be in favor of electricity supply, we applied for a license under the Public Works Act, formed ourselves into a supply body, secured the consent of tho County councils concerned, borrowed £3OOO as a start from the dairy company, and ran the electrical department entirely on its own for the purposes of the benefits of electricity in the true co-operation sense, and not with a view to accumulating profit. We have now reticulated most of the Tai Tapu, Lincoln, Motukarara, Halswell, and Lodbrooks districts, and find that electrical energy is very well received by country people. We receiveirom Christchurch 11,000 volts, and send out to our districts 3000 volts, which is converted to 400/230 along the line of route by pole type transformers. Our charges are £2l a year for a milking plant; £5 a year for a radiator; Is per light per month (average 40 watts); hall, bathroom and scullery charged as ohe light; irons, 2s per month ; utility point, 5s per month. (Definition of utility point is the right to use any electrical apparatus up to 600 watts capacity on the ironing point). We are well established now and our scheme has been able to stand on its own right through. There are many.points with regard to construction and economical working that we could give you later on, but these would be of no value at present. We should certainly recommend you to push the scheme ahead. It would be a great boon to the district. If you will send us a list of questions you would like answered, we should know the directions of your enquiries and should be most happy to oblige.” Mr A. A. Bowler said the idea of filing the information was good. Some scheme had to come and the people had to discriminate as to the best scheme. He had been informed that whereas Te Kuiti charged lOd per unit, the same amount could bo obtained from the Lake Coleridge scheme at Christchurch at three half-pennies. The chairman said he had followed the various discussions as appearing in the press, and he was quite satisfied that the district should support the Horabora scheme absolutely. If the Arapuni scheme was adopted it would be their children who would enjoy it. Various papers were read, and the matter was generally discussed. The chairman said that there was no doubt as to the benefits to be derived, and he thought the Matamata district particularly should push the Horabora scheme.

Mr Bowler suggested that it would be a'dvisableto depute some member to make one of the party which is to shortly pay a visit of inspection to Arapuni and Horahora. The clerk said the chairman of the Town board had mentioned the matter to him, and appeared to bo desirous of working with the local branch of the Farmers’ union in the matter.

The following resolution was carried : “ That the chairman interview the chairman of the Town board to make arrangements for the district to be represented in the forthcoming visit of inspection.” SEEDY WOOL. The provincial secretary’s letter dealing with seedy wool was read and ” received.” It was stated that there was no seedy wool in the Matamata district. No doubt the question was one that needed attention, but it did not immediately effect this district.

SHEEP-TICK. The provincial secretary’s letter regarding sheep-tick was discussed, and it was decided to reply stating that the tick had not been noticed by members in the district. ATTENDANCE. Towards the conclusion of the meeting the chairman remarked that the branch’s meetings wero not attended as they should be. Members stated that there were possibly many reasons for this, the weather since the change from Saturday to Friday generally having been bad. It was decided that the meetings be advertised for the next three months in the “Record.”