WESTERN DISTRICT FARMERS' CLUB.

Southland Times, Issue 1297, 23 August 1870, Page 2

WESTERN DISTRICT FARMERS' CLUB.

(FBOM A COBEESPOITDEIfr.) The above club held a special meeting at Gummy's BuabTon^rceT^cii m^rry^ presideat, Mr James Reid, in the chair. The office-bearers for the ensuing year were elected as follows :-Mr James Mackintosh president, Mr John Mlntyre vice ditto, Mr John Camming secre4ars^_snd Messrs Francis, Potts, Bath, M'ClytnolitrUa7apr€^ m i n Si Younger, Fallow, and Hamilton committee. It was agreed to hold the meetings at Flint's Bash alternately with Crummy's Bush. Mr Mackintosh then delivered an address, taking for his subject " Fanning as it is and as it ought to be carried on in Southland." He condemned the ruinous system of perpetual cropping without rest or manure, and recommended summer fallowing, and growing artificial grasses for pasture. The secretary read the prospectus of the Southland Farmers' Association. After considerable discussion the following resolution was unanimously carried — "That Riverton being the seaport for the Western District, it is not advisable that the farmers of the Western district should join an association whose operations will be carried on in InvercargilL Besides, the objectß contemplated in this prospectus are by far too numerous, and altogether foreign to an association whose aim should be to assist the fanner." In support of a farmers' co-operative ; association being formed, various speakers strongly urged on the meeting the necessity of united effort on the part of the Western District farmers to enable them to dispose of their produce to the best advantage — the association to have a store in Riverton to receive produce for sale in the best market, or for exportation, advances to be made on the same when required, and to import and supply shareholders and others with goods. The following gentlemen were elected as a special committee to draw up a prospectus to be submitted to next meeting, viz. : — Messrs John Potts, William A. Lyon, P. L. Francis, John Allison, Albert Cassells, John M'lntyre, John Cumming, James Mackintosh, and Ross Robertson. - • Owing to the almost impassable state of the main road between Crummy's Bush and Grroper's Bush, it was resolved that G-overnment be communicated with, requesting that some arrangements be made with the owners of the land adjoining the worst places of the road, so that public traffic may pass through their paddocks till the road is repaired. The club gratefully acknowledges receipt of the financial statement of the hon. the Colonial Treasurer. A vote of thanks to the retiring officebearers and the chairman terminated the proceedings.