THE FARMERS' UNION.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 2, Issue 137, 17 October 1913, Page 2

THE FARMERS' UNION.

Mauku Branch. The monthly meeting of the above branch was heid in the Patumahoe hall on October 13th. Mr H. E. R. L. Wily attended and addressed the meeting regarding the formation of a branch of tho West Franklin Ratepayers' Association. In the course of his address Mr Wily stated that some people were of opinion that tho Ratepayers' Association was being formed for a ' source of annoy auce to the councillors. This, lie explained, was quite an erroneous idea. The Association could be of groat help and assistance to the councillors if they ran straight, but no doubt it would be a great annoyance to any who did not go straight. Ho instanced the good work done by the Ratepayers' Association formed in the Aka Aka to protest against the rating methods adopted l>y the Waikato River Board, these ratepayers putting a levy on themselves of -Id per acre to fight their cause, and the result being wholly satisfactory to them. Dealing with the proposed Karaka bridges, he said he failed to see how Mauku would get any benefit from this work. There was very little stock taken to Auckland from the Mauku district, and what was taken was invariably raile.b And after all only a distanco of 2; miles would be saved. Mr Wily also dealt at length with matters relating to the proposed lock on the Waiuku creek, lie considered tho engineer's estimate of £50,000 would be found to be greatly under the actual cost; engineers' estimates were invariably so. Tho chairman of the Auckland Harbour Board had said that 56 600 acres would have to be rated to obtain the interest required. After having carefully gone over a plan with a competent surveyor they had found that even by including all the sand hills, coming out as far as the L'atuuiahoo road, and carrying a straight linv through to the Waikato river, they would then have some thousands of acres short of the required number. This was a matter that would need the ratepayers' careful consideration, as a lock at Waiuku would lie of no benefit to a large amount of the area involved. He doubted if even those affected would get the benefit of tho £50,000 involved. A voice : They could shift Waiuku down to deep water for a lot less than £50,000. After a short discussion it was proposed by Mr Finlay, and seconded by Mr Kavanagh, "That a branch of the West Franklin Ratepayers' Association be formed at Mauku." A This was carried, and the following officers were elected :—Chairman, Mr W. finlay : secretary, Mr W. Haeata; committee. Messrs P. W. Ryburu, H. Taylor, A. Bell, W. C. R. Cauteliu, and 11. M. Crispe. It was proposed by Mr Crispe, and seconded by Mr Bell, that this meeting strongly protests against being rated for tho proposed Karaka bridges, an 1 the secretary of tho .Association, Mr Haeata, was instructed to request the councillor for the riding t j resist any such proposal.