FARMERS’ UNION.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 76, 6 May 1902, Page 3

FARMERS’ UNION.

A meeting of the local branch of the blew Zealand Farmers’ Uuion was held on Saturday evening. Mr Charles Fry, the newly elected president, occupied the chair and there was an excellent attendance of members. Minutes of previous ordinary meeting, and also of special meeting, were read and certified to as correct. Letters were read from Messrs Rout and Sons, Nelson, re sales of stock and also from Messrs Bisley Bros on the same subject, the latter firm offering to erect sale yards in Motueka if a reasonable number of cattle and sheep were put through the yards. Mr Wratt thought the difficulty would be as to whether the district could furnish sufficient stock to make the idea a success. He maintained the stock from now on should be ke'pt for fattening purposes. Mr Hursthouse said that hitherto s L ock sale in Nelson distict had proved a failuie, but whether through the fault of the farmer or the auctioneers he could not say. In Canterbury, Hawera, Auckland, and elsewhere the farmers put their stock through the sale yards, with beneficial results. He did not know whether the farmers here were prepared to do the same ; if they did he thought it would be to their interest to do so. Mr Thomas Pattie said the previous stock sales held in the neighborhood were a failure, owing to the limited number of buyers and the demands made by the Nelson people for stock. He thought it would be a mistake to fall in with Bisley Bros suggestions ; the best way would be to erect their own yards. That course he favored but would not be inclined to give any guarantee. Besides he would not like to see the auctioneers put to expense in the event of failure. Mr R. Pattie wanted to know where the stock was to come from. After discussion it was resolved, That in the opinion of this meeting there is not sufficient stock in the district to warrant the establishment of

I ?%|eya-rds,' except in autumn, when stores are being moved, and that , the Secretary write Messrs Bisley Bros to that effect; also, thanking them for their offer which they regret they cannot accept. - Mr Everett brought forward the question of the advisability of the Union indenting artificial manures, from Home, either through a responsible merchant, or -direct from the manufacturers. The Colonial manures were inferior* and often contained a good proportion of sand. There was also a great disparity in fche prices charged here and in England, the former being from 25 to 30 per cent highthar what it could be landed in the Colony. He suggested setting |up a committee to investigate the matter. A long and interesting discussion ensued, during which Messrs Hursthouse, W. Boyce, Duncan, Dudgeon and others spoke, the whole of the speakers agreeing that the idea was an excellent one. It was ultimately agreed that a committee consisting of Messrs Everett, Dudgeon; Wratt, C. Fry, T. Pattie, F. Herrick and Rumbold be appointed to obtain information etc., to report at the next meeting. * By request, Mr T. Pattie detailed what had been done by the Committee set up to deal with the direct service question, which accountswas corroborated by Mr Wratt. The credit balance of the branch was stated to be £6 6s. After appointing collectors of the various districts and empowering the committee appointed re manures, to make enquiries as to the jjrice of coke, the meeting adjourned.