CLEVEDON.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 5, Issue 209, 15 September 1916, Page 4

CLEVEDON.

FARMERS' UNION MEETING. Xbe monthly meeting of the Clev> - don- branch of the Farmers' Union was hell on Saturday evening last, September 9th. The members present were: Messrs C. A. Fawcett (president, 11. H. Cawte, H. 8. Munio, W-. 8. Duder, A. D..8e11, J. Luke, F. Stephens, W. Stephen*, J. Hancock, P. Graham, P. C. Waters, L H. Burgoyne and J. A. Gandy (secretary) The secretary stated that he had a communication from the Defence Department in reply to the branch's complaint as 1o the manner in which the training of the local cadets was being earned out. Ihe letter was to the effect that the Department thanked the branch for stating their case, and promised to look into the matter.—The president (Mr Fawcett) said that last week Lieut. McDonald, Staff Officer, Hamilton, had motored down to Clevedon and in conversation with him (Mr Fawct') sympathised with them, and said that there had been much grumbling in many d'wtri. ts but that up to now they had bad no d*. unite statement put before them on which they could take action. There had been, the officer slated, much slackness on the part of instructors recently, but in the future they'hoped to alter that and to carry on in a proper manner.— After fu'ly discussing the matter it was resolved to write to Lieut. McDonald to the effect that "in the opinion of this branch a full day parade, to bo held once a fortnight, would be the most convenient to the district, and if held on Wednesdays, as at present, it would • be the most suitable." A letter was received irom the Provincial Executive stating that the Auckland Stock Auctioneers' Association had agreed to a reduction of a quarter per cent on sales of fat stock at Westtield and to a charge of four per cent on all sheep and cattle fairs.—lt was resolved that the Executive be thanked for their communication and a promise given of the branch's) support in the endeavour to make auctioneers' charges fctill more reasonable. The Provincial Executive wrote asking the branch's support in connection with the proposed "Egg Day" (to be held in the second week of October) in connection with the Belgian Relief Funds.—A committee was set up to deal with the matter through the medium of the school?, the following being appointed to act, viz. :—Messrs A- D. Bell and C. A. Fawcett (for Clevedon school), W. T. Duder and W. Stephens (for Maraetai), J. Luke and J. A. Gandy (for Mataitai) and H. 8. Munro and N. J. Sutherland (for Clevedon South). Mr Fawcett promised to arrange for egg boxes. A circular letter was read from the Provincial Executive asking the branch to express its opinion on a scheme for the settlement of returned soldiers on the land. After a long discussion the following resolution was passed: This branch agrees with the first portion of the scheme as given in the letter, viz., " That in districts where soldier settlements are established the Government should set up committees of experienced and practical farmers resident in the districts to give advice to the s ldier settlers during the first few years of their occupation of the land, adding when ever asked for," but believes that the portion of the'letter giving supervision to the committee should be deleted. A copy of this resolution is to be forwarded to the Provincial Executive. The Clevedon A. and P. Association wroto asking fur a donation to their prize fund for the annual show (to be held on November 18th next), and it was resolved that a donation of £-' 2s be made, with a recommendation that half of the donation be placed to the special prize for points in the dairy section and half to a special prize for points in tho fat sheep sec :ion.