MAUKU.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 173, 12 May 1916, Page 1

MAUKU.

FARMERS' UNION. The annual meeting of the Mauku Branch of the N.Z. Farmers' Union was held in the Patumahoe Hall on Saturday evening last. Th«re was a fair number of members present and the chairman (Mr W. Finlay) presided.

The report and balance sheet, which showed a slight debit balance, was adopted. It was explained that the Mauku Branch had been carrying on its business with a smaller levy than other branches but it would now be necessary to slightly raise the subscription. The following new members were elected, viz., Messrs J. Morrison and I. Wymer, jnr.

The election of officials for the ensuing year resulted as follows: President, Mr R. W. Johns; vicepresident, Mr W. Sommerville; secretary, Mr M. Crispe; auditor, Mr G. A. Gutry ; committee, Messrs Cuff, Finlay, Goldswortby, E. Taylor, W. Howe and A 8011. The secretary read an appeal from the secretary of the Fund iu aid of the Russian prisoners iu Germany.—lt was resolved to make a canvass of the district and to endeavour to raise a substantial amount for these unfortunate men. Mr F. Kavanagh, sen., offered to canvass the Patumahoe area and Mr A. Bell the Mauku end Some £j odd was subscribed ai the meeting. The various remits for the IVvincial Conference were fully discussed and criticised and the delegates instructed thereon. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the outgoing president, Mr W. Finlay, and the auditor, Mr G. A. Gutry. At the request of Mr J. Henry the secretary read a circular issued by the NZ. Dairy Association regarding some propo als of the company in connection with depreciation and classification of shares on account of loss sustained by the closing down of various creameries. Shareholders strongly opposed the idea that old shareholders should bear all the loss and that new shareholders should receive full benefit and bear no loss. Mr Henry, who is attending the Dairy Association meeting in Auckland to-day, was deputed to oppose the proposal and to receive proxies of shareholders who would be unable to be present.