FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 16, 4 October 1901, Page 4

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES.

The Hon. Mr Jennings, in the legis- , lative Council, a day or two ago gave a glowing account of the condition of the friendly societies of the Colony. He said that, as compared with Australia, it must be highly gratifying to those connected with the friendly societies throughout the Colony to see the relative positions occupied by the sister societies, The New : Zealand lodges' Fund amounted to <£l9 Is Id per member, "Victoria to 8s sd, South Australia 2s 6d, New South Wales, £8 12s 7d. Queensland .£7 12s 3d. These figures showed a gratifying position for the friendly societies of New Zealand, and it has been brought about to a great extent owing to the advocacy by the Registrar's Office of the placing of the societies on a sound actuarial basis. He (Mr Jennings) asked the Government to appoint a committee to consider the advisableness of amending the Friendly Societies Act, and to consider in what way the usefulness of these excellent societies can be further extended. The Minister for Education, in replying, said those bodies should bring up proposals and submit them to the Government, and he was prepared to say the Government would give them every consideration. If thesociet'es could make out a good case for altering the present law or doing anything to encoir.age them the Government would be only too glad, but he did not think the matter was now ripe for Parliament t > set up a Select Cemm.ttee, especially wl en they were, so to speak. not invited, because he did not think the lion, gentleman claimed o ppe-vk as the mouthpiece for all the friendly sr ceties of New Zealand. — Wangaimi Herald.

A correspondent informs the Tuapeka Times that the question of an eight hours day is being brouht unpleasantly home to farmers in the district. The moment 5 o'clock comes horses in the plough or cart are pulled up sharply, the work in hand is rr :mptly dropped and a single whistle or a shout is sent on to others working in the vicinity, who also knock off forthwith regardless of circumstances, and take their way homeward to the wonderment of exasperation of the '• boss," who will still slog away for a couple of hours until the falling darkness compels his retirement. The Chicago stockyards are the biggest in the world. They can hold 20, 000 cattle daily, besides'2o,ooo sheep, and 10,000 pigs- They contain 20 miles of streets and 50 miles of feeding troughs. It is stated that Mr T. E. Taylor, the well known Prohibitionist, and formerly M.H.R. for Christchuich, has completely broken down in health, and contemplates a trip to England. Notice to Breeders. —At the request of a large number of settlers in this locality, the services of the well known thoroughbred horse Verseilles have been secured , for the forthcoming season. The horse will visit Motueka, Riwaka, Pangatotara, Upper and Lower Moutere and other localities, and as the animal's pedigree is of the best, his services should be in demand. — Advt.