SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2, 7 May 1913, Page 2

SETTLERS’ ASSOCIATION.

FORMED AT TOKO. [from our own correspondent.] A meeting was held in the Coronation Half on Monday evening to diseu&s the advisability of forming a Settlers’ Association. There ivas a good attendance, twenty-seven setmrs being present, Mr It'. H. Were presiding. Mr Were, in the course of ids remarks, said that Toko was die strongest branch of the Farmers’ Union in Taranaki, but lie felt sure that Toko could better themselves. The membership fee was is 6d per annum, out of this 6s 6d went to the colonial and Taranaki Executive, leaving the Toko branch is per member to work on. The speaker thought it was advisable to form some association, and he moved diat in the opinion of this meeting it is advisable to form an Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Tho motion was seconded by Mr A. J. Chainey. Mr J. li. Hine, M.P., who was a nember of the Toko Farmers’ Union or many years, apologised for not intending the meetings of late, on ac,ount of political business, and said ne was sorry in a way that the Toko Jrauch had ceased to exist. in ids ipinion the meeting was takdig rather t big hurdle in forming an Agriculturtl and Pastoral Association. He was sure that the feeling of the district was for farm improvement, such is root competitions, herd testing, jts.

Mr Were pointed out that the Aslociation would be run on a small icale at first, and it would grow on similar lines to those conducted .by

die late Farmers’ Union. Mr R. D. Milne said that in root jompetitions there should be more .lasses, as the land varied. A man in hilly land competing against one iii level land had not a possible hance, and that was why ho (the .peaker) would like to see more classes a competitions. The motion to form a Settlers’ Association was then put to the meutng and carried unanimously. It was moved by Mr T. A. Lees .hat the Association be named Tho iettlers’ Agricultural and Pastoral Association.—Seconded by Mr W. Pearce and carried.

Mr Chainey asked what would be he boundary of the district, and the hairman explained that that was a natter for the committee to deal with.

The chairman stated that the competitions would be open to non-mem-;ers.

Discussirig the question .of office fearers Mr 1). Maxwell raised strong. Ejections to ‘having a patron to a ■Settlers’ Association, remarking that .t seemed too much like begging to nave a patron, as it seemed like looking for a good donation.. The New Zealand settlers were the finest men .li the world, and did not require any Assistance. (Laughter). Mr Maxwell asked: What is a patron ?

The Chairman: A challenge cup or ;ome trophy. (Renewed laughter).

Mr Geo. Morrison asked Mr Maxwell if a member gave a. donation would he give it back? Mr Maxwell: “No.” (Laughter). Mr Lees asked Mr Maxwell: Did rou not compete for a challenge cup •ecentlv ?

Mr Maxwell: “Yes.” (Laughter). The Chairman: “Let us lay our bands to anything that is offered, and diat will make the Association a success. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Patron: Mr J. B. Hine, M.P. ; President, Mr W. H. Were; vico-Presi-dents, Messrs C. Bayly, E. Marfell, E. Hine, J. Henderson, and T. Henderson, R. Morrison; committee, Messrs M. Gernhoefer, W. Pearce, T. A. Lees, E. Jones, J. Kilpatrick, G. Morrison, C. Beloe, G. Cleary, J. Lister; secretary and treasurer, jMr H. H. Judd. Proposed by Mr Chainey, seconded by Mr E. Jones, and carried, That the annual subscription be 7s Gd. Ic was proposed by Mr Pearce that autumn shows be held.—Seconded by Mr Cleary and carried.

Mr Hine asked if it were not possible for members to meet, say, once a month, as the late Farmers’ Union. He would like to seem any members become subscribers to the Journal of Agriculture, in which they would find hints on all kinds of farming. Mr Were said that meetings should be held from time to time, starting probably next week. Subsequently the committee met, and it was decided to bold a meeting -m Monday, 19th May, to draw up rules, etc. Mr Hine has kindly promised a challenge cup for the first show. Some thirty members have already enrolled.