BOMBAY

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 396, 30 July 1918, Page 4

BOMBAY

FARMERS' SOCIAL There was a happy gathering »i farmers at a social given by the Bombay branch of the Farmeis' Union in the Public Hall, Bombay, on Wednesday evening last, Mr W. H. Thomas (piv-ident) occupying the chair. Invitations having been extended to several adjoining branches, representatives were present from Buckland. Tualau, Ramarama, and Pukekohe Ea r t. the company numbering about eighty. A sumptuous 9upper was partaken of. As chairman, Mr. Thomas expressed the pleasure of seeing so many present, and spoke of the advantages of the Union, which, among other thinss, cemented friendships and created a deeper interest in the social activities of their respective districts. On behalf of tin.' Bombay branch, he extended to the visitors a heaTlv welcome. Mr. Brittain (Government Rabbit Inspector for the district), who was present by invitation, delivered an address on the rabbit pest, advocating the formation of an exterminating committee to combat the evil done t,o crops by rabbits. The Committee, he mi id. would report to him the failure nf any farmer to carry out the necessary work, and he (the Inspector) would serve him with a notice to compel him to act. Several questions were asked and answered, Mr. Brittain pointing out that any twelve farmers, by making application to the Government Department at Hamilton, e< hi Id obtain poisin for rabbits at the rate of Sd. per II). In the r>nse of the rabbit nuisance' existing on land belonging to absentee owners, the Department, he added, would carry out the necessary work of poisoning, and charge the cost against such absentee owners. In the case, however, of an absentee owner being a soldier on active service, Mr. Brittain suggested that the local Branch of the Union should undertake the work, acting in conjunction with the Department. During the evening songs were contributed by Messrs. W. T. Jones and D. Heron, and Mr. Lang gave a recitation.

Several toasts were honoured and responded to, viz.: " The Army and Navy," proposed by Mr. H. 0. Mellsop, and replied to by Mr H. H. D. Wily; "The Farmers' Trading Association," proposed by Mr. E. Piggott, Mr. H. 0. Mellsop replying; "The Buys at the Front," proposed by Mr. "Sawyer, and responded to by Mr. S. oldfield; "The Visitors," proposed by Mr. A. French, and replied to by Mr. A. Piggott, Replying to the toast of the Farmers' Union, proposed by Mr. A. Summer, Mr. 8. Oldfield (Organising Secretary) urged the advantages of affiliating with the Sub-Provincial District, pointing out the great success that had attended the work of the Union in the past, If the Union, he said, was to prove anything to the farmer in the future, it would have to be loyally supported. The success of the Sub-Provincial scheme depended in a great measure upon the amount of gupport given to it by the branches. He was of the opinion that as a district Franklin was second to none, and there was no reason why they should not be the leading SubProvincial area. Mr. Oldfield laid great stress upon the necessity of collecting sufficient subscriptions to carry on the work, and he urged the Branch on affiliation fo fix their subscription high enough so that they could always have a little money in hand for social needs, for the amount of good they could do would bp in proportion to the amount of funds in hand. Mr. Oldfield also spoke on the question of the amalgamation of the dairy companies of the Waikato, and detailed the operations of the Trading Company. At the close of the meeting the opinion was freely expressed that similar gatherings should be held throughout the Franklin Sub-Provin-cial area, as it was felt that such would have a great influence in drawing the farmers closer together. Favourable comment was also made of the excellent way in which the Bombay Branch had catereS for the entertainment of the visitors, all of whom appreciated the evening's function.