CLEVEDON.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 6, Issue 268, 20 April 1917, Page 2

CLEVEDON.

FARMERS' UNION MEETING

The annual meeting of the Glevedon Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was held in the Public Hall, Clevedon, on the evening of Saturday. April 7th last. The members present were: Messrs. C. A. Fawcett (president), J. Shaw. 8. A. Browne. H. H. Cawte. W. T Bell. C. C. Munro. C. W. Stephens, J. Hancock. A. D. Bell, L. H. Burgoyne, H. J. Bull. W. T. Duder. J. Luke. J. B. Aickin, W. Hanson, P. Waters, and J. A. Gandy (secretary). After the minutes of the last annual meeting had been read and confirmed, the secretary read his annual report, and also submitted the balance sheet for the past financial year. The president (Mr. Fawcett), in moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, remarked upon the most satisfactory state of the branch's finances, and complimented the secretary upon the manner in which he had carried out his duties during the past year, and upon the report just read to the meeting. Both the report and balance sheet were adopted unanimously. The following officers were then

elected for the coming year:—President, C. A. Fawcett (re-elected); vicepresident, J. Shaw (re-elected); executive committee—Messrs. J. B. Aickin, A. D. Bell, W. T. Bell, H. J. Bull, S. A. Browne, H. H. Cawte, W. T. Duder, P. Graham, J. Hancock, J. Luke, C. C. Munro, P. Waters, W. Stephens, H. S. Munro, F. Stephens, and L. H. Burgoyne. Mr. J. A. Gandy was again appointed secretary and treasurer, and Mr. C. Atchison auditor.

Mr. Fawcett and the secretary were re-appointed delegates to attend the annual conference of the Auckland Provincial Executive, which will be held in May next. The secretary was voted a bonus of £5 as a mark of appreciation of his services during the past year. A vote of thanks wan passed to tho president and his officers for their services, and particularly to Mr. J. Hancock for his voluntary acting as " commissary of the commissariat."

An ordinary monthly meeting was then h*ld, the same members being present. Mrs. B. A. Crispe was elected a member of the branch, this being the second lady member to be elected. Messrs. C. A. Bennett, G. Lane, and G. W. Kitson resigned their membership, having left the district. Acknowledgments of our replies to the variotis letters received from the Provincial Executive were then read. It was resolved to endorse the resolutions passed by the executive Bince our last meeting, copies of which resolutions were before the meeting, viz.: (1) That the Government be asked to at once classify the " Essential Industries ".in connection with the call for men. " (2) .That enemy subjects be conscripted for public works. (3) That the kauri gum industry not being essential, that the gum-diggers be employed in essential work. (4) That the voluntary system of enlistment be abolished. A committee of three (Messrs. Fawcett, Hyde, and Luke) was 'appointed as a local committee to assist the Efficiency Board in the case 9 of military appeal. A circular letter was received from the executive stating that it was proposed to hold a "Fanners' Week" in connection with the annual conference, to be held in Auckland from May 22 to May 25 inclusive, the mornings to be devoted to consideration of the various remits,.and the afternoons to various outdoor excursions on land and water, and the evenings to entertainments. The co6t of all entertainments and excursions to be borne by the executive. All farmers are invited to participate irrespective of their being members of any branch of the union.