Railway Fencing.

Patea Mail, 23 September 1881, Page 3

Railway Fencing.

FARMERS’ CLUB. A meeting of settlers was held last evening in the Kakaramea Town Hall, to consider the question of railway fencing and other matters. There were present Messrs F, M. Chapman (in the chair), H. F. Risely, J. Bourke, J. Houston, W. Robertson, Brown, Jacob, Payne, P. Wilson, Coutts, J. Patterson, Jardine, A. Bourke, Hind, Joseph Patterson, J, Ginger, Baggett, D. Ginger, Ludhun, and W. Ginger Chairman proposed “ That this meeting is of opinion that the style and plan of fencing off the railway line at Kakaramea by the Public Works Department does not meet with the approval of the settlors generally,” He said : There can be little question that the style of fencing now being put up ie not suited to Ibis district, where paddocks are small, and the grazing is principally cattle, which can be kept in only by very strong fences. Wire standards may suit as a fencing for large sheep runs as in Canterbury, but are useless for keeping cattle in paddocks of eight or ten acres, and even less where the railway cuts up a farm. This district appears to be treated in an exceptional manner. Post and rail fences with quicks planted, and six of seven wires, are usedalong railways in other places ; but here we are expected to put up with thin iron standards, the posts being six or seven chains apart. I have obtained from the Public Works Department a plan of the fence to be erected here. The straining posts are about Bxß totara, with a brace on each side in the plan, though in the fence now erected only one brace is seen. One peculiarity is that at the bottom there is a strut of 12 feet sunk in the ground, and attached to tbe strainer by one iron spike. The iron standards are placed 9 feet apart. There are seven wires, the top being barbed. That is a curious arrangement, the top wiie being above the reach of stock unless they stretch their noses. Two barbed wires would have been better, or one lower. The iron standards are only a quarter of an inch thick.

Mr A. Hunter : I second the resolution. I,have seen a portion of the fencing, and it is most unsuitable for this district, I have seen other fences of this kind fixed in this district, with stronger standards and closer together, and twelve months were quite enough .to level them. lam sure our stock would not be safe if such a fence is erected along the railway line.

Mr Risely : There are scarcely two who agree as to the description of fence they would like to have along the railway. As those who are interested differ so much in opinion, it might be wise for them to form a committee and agree among themselves which kind of fence they would recommend. It would be more satisfactory if Government would fence a railway route before constructing the line. Can settlers compel the Government to fence before entering on property ?

Chairman : I have tried to ascertain that from lawyers, and have failed to get a satisfactory answer. Mr Coutts : Immediate action should be taken, for our properties have been entered on, and the resolutions is against the present style of fencing. It is quite unsuitable for the district, and would not be satisfactory for the Government nor for settlers when erected. We ought to ask the Government why they have departed from the usual style of fence. Driving thin standards into our Joose friable soil will not resist the strain of a bullock against the fence, Mr Hind ; In Nelson, whenever any suggestion was made to the Governmen as to the want of a crossing, etcetera, it was carried out, and they took care that no one was wronged.

Motion put and carried unanimously. Mr A. Hunter then proposed “ That this meeting appoint a committee to draw up a schedule of fences, either one of which will suit the views of thelaudowners; and forward it to the Minister of. Public Works, with a request that this locality shall not be treated in an exceptional manner, but have similar fences to those in the Canterbury, Napier, or Wanganui districts.”

This was seconded and carried unanimously. Mr J. Burke moved “ That this meeting appoint the following gentlemen, with power to add to their number, to form a committee for the purpose of forwarding and receiving correspondence on the railway fencing question : Messrs Chapman, A. Hunter, J. Patterson, Couttsi

John’ Girigtr, *Ai Jfirdfne, Houston, and the mover.” Mr Jardiue seconded, and the motion was adopted unanimously. Mr Coutts : This is the first railway under the general Gov eminent scheme that has been treated in this way, and I should like to see a resolution asking the Government why they have made an exception in this railway by entering on the property of various owners without fencing being done. COMPENSATION. Mr Risely ; It is desirable the committee should consider what compensation is due, so as to put each one orf a level with the others. Chairman : I am scarceley in favor of the committee interfering with the question of compensation. I have something to suggest later which may meet that. Mr Coutts : Every proprietor has suffered some damage, but every one’s land is not of the same value. I would not be one of a committee to suggest values for owners between Hawera and Waverley. Mr Riseley : I have noticed it has been done in other districts. Mr Hind : I have seen as much as a thousand pounds difference in the valuation between an owner and the Government in a small farm near a town. BALL STATION. 1 Mr Jtadbb : A petition Hvas sent In some time back for a siding on the Ball line. It might be in the province of this committee to back up that petition. It was signed by a good number of settlers. Chairman suggested a separate committee. f; - Mr Jacob : Perhaps the petition itself will be sufficient. FARMERS’ CLUB. Chairman : This seems a suitable occasion for mooting the desirability of forming a District Farmers’ Club. We should then be, I hope, a united agricultural body for taking into consideration many political and social questions of interest to us. I have already spoken to a considerable number of settlers, who all coincide in forming such a club. Many are here tonight representing; large interests: in the district, and they might sign a paper approving of the proposal. I have written to various clubs in the colony asking for their rules and regulations, and when I get this information I shall be able to lay it before a future meeting. Many may be usefully discussed by a club, and we can assist- each other in reference to questions of taxation ami farming matters generally. We can also assist each other with information as to where we cafl. scll or buy. I move “ That this meeting is in favor of a Farmers’ Chfb being formed, and pledges itself to support the same.” Mr A. Hunter : I second that, because I consider it a move in the right direction. I have noticed in this district a want of united action among the agricultural class, and many questions are allowed to lapse for want of united action, and we are in a manner ruled in all matters by the townspeople. I consider it very desirable that we should form a Farmers’ Club to take up all matters connected with country interests.

Mr Jacob : I have pleasure in supporting this. We have only to look at Australia to see the good effects of united action. Settlers in Australia were ruled entirely, by the townspeople, bat lately they have taken more united action, and have certainly done a great deal of good for themselves. That shows what can be done here.

Mr Riseley : Could a Farmers’ Club be worked in connection with the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, or would it affect that body in any way? Chairman : I should say beneficially.

Mr Riseley : I should think so too. I notice they held a meeting in Wanganui this week, but the general idea was that a Farmers’ Club would affect the interests of the Agricultural Society, and the project did not receive much support. I cannot understand how that is. A club would make farmers more united, and would have a tendency to interest them in good stock and in cultivation. From enquiries among Waverley settlers, I find they are very favorable to the idea.

Chairman: I have had this matter under consideration for some time, thinking it would be very beneficial to the district. I was rather surprised to see the matter mooted at Wanganui, and I hope we shall have a better result from our meeting. I think tlib club will act most beneficially in connection with the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. It will give us a certain amount of political power on many occasions ; but I hope we are not overruled by the town, and I don’t think the town desires to overrule us. At the same

time, by forming a united body we shall then bo on equal terms with the town. However, town and country interests should ho identical, .and I hope to see many a town resident connected with the club, and their support will enable us to become a strong united body. We could get rooms in the town, aijd might have books—possibly a bod when we want to stop a night or two, and stabling for a horse. One or two guineas a year in subscription, would be well expended, Mption put and carried unanimously. Mr Jacob suggested that the club should he identified with Patea district, or it might be thought, from the resolution, that it was for Kakaramca only. Voice: Near the “ market.” (Laughter.) The words “ Patea County ” were then added to the resolution, to make the object clear. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting. The Committee mentioned above held a conference afterwards, as. to the railway fencing, and agreed to forward to Government a schedule of approved fences.