GERALDINE FARMERS’ CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2660, 17 May 1894, Page 2

GERALDINE FARMERS’ CLUB.

The usual monthly meeting of the Geraldine Farmers’ Club was held on Monday evening, when the club had the pleasure of recording another very fair attendance of members. CORRESPONDENCE. A letter was received from the Premier that the Railway Commissioners could not at present see their way clear to make reductions in railway tariff as recommended by the club. The Secretary of the Agricultural. Conference, to be held in Wellington on May 29th iust., wrote acknowledging receipt of £2 2s entrance fee for delegate, and sent circulars informing the club that 35 associations would be represented by 57 delegates. THE CONFERENCE. Mr Orbell intimated that the committee had appointed him delegate to the conference, As he had received a list of the subjects to be discussed at the conference he thought they might run through it, and instruct him as to their views. Mr H. B. Webster suggested that each ' member be limited to 5 minutes speech in giving hia views. No i X_lhe Establishment of a Flock. Book foe Sheep. Mr Orbell said this was an important question, on which there would likely bo a division of opinion as to whether or not there should be a book for each Island, or one book for both Islands. Mr Webster thought that the general desire was for two books uuder the one cover. Mr Shiers thought the book might be conducted on the same principle as the Clydesdale Stud Book. No. ll.—Measures to Prevent Sheep Stealing. Mr Webster thought that if the auctioneers got say 3 per cent, it would be a good thing to compel them to employ extra clerical assistance, and keep a register of the brands of all sheep sold. Mr Orbell thought there should be only ono earmark for sheep. Of course he was aware of the dilliculty of sheep being sold privately, but that might be overcome. Mr Metcalf contended that sheep once earmarked should |not bo marked again. Ho had bought sheep in the yards with as mahy as 5 earmarks in one mob ; and also many different brands. Major Moore would compel every stockowner to keep a private register cf all stock ho buys and sells, giving the earmarks and brands. He acknowledged that there would possibly be a difficulty in carrying this or any system out. No. 111. —Reduction of Railway Charges on Stock. Mr Webster considered this a question their delegate should strongly support. Bo instanced a case wherein the railway authorities had the offer to take by special train about 10 or 50 trucks of sheep right tin ough from Christchurch to Southland. A j.d yet, owing to red tapeism, there sheep were allowed to bo driven right through, while the rolling stock was lying idle,

Mr Ferguson thought there was another side to Mr Webste\'s story. The rolling stock might have been net led in a few day a for something that would have p?id better than trucking sheep to Southland. Mr Shiers a]-30 mentioned a case 11 point, where goods were cirted that might easily be carried by rail only for the existing red-tapeism. Mr Orbell would support the reduction all rouud. It was nec?ssary at the present time that the Government should assist farmers and everybody connected with land. Mr Webster thought that much of the existing red-tapeism could be done away with, and more power placed in the hands of the traffic manager or responsible officials for making any special arrangements with the public. No. IV. The Necessity foe Conveniently- Arranged Trucks for the Transit of Sheep. Mr Orbell thought that if the,.trucks opened at the end of the side instead of the middle it would be more convenient. Mr J. Murray said sheep trucks ought to have false bottoms to keep them clean and keep sheep from slipping. No. V.—The Necessity for a Noxious Weeds Bill. Mr Allan thought such a Bill brought in at the present moment would ruin all the farmers in the country. Mr Murray thought the Bill would be a dangerous Act in the of the Government. Mr Orbell believed the matter required very cireful consideration before any steps should be taken to cair/ it out. Mr Webster would like to see some Bill introduced and carried on the matter, bo that if a man kept his place clean , of noxious weeds his neighbour should be compelled to do the same. Major Moore considered that the Bill brought in should apply also to Crown land and river-beds. They could not help making the Bill oppressive. No. Vl.—Lincoln College. Major Moore thought that pamphlets ■ of experiments made at the college ought to be published, so that every farmer ( might get the benefit of them. Mr Webster could not say that the present management was the best, but he was entirely opposed to the college ' being vested in the agricultural associations. Mr Orbell thought the present manage- 1 ment could be improved upon. He thought that the agriculture! associations should have a say in the management, although it should not ba entirely in their hands. \ No. Vll.—Government Veterinary Surgeons. Mr Orbell thought this a question that required looking into, as two veteiinay Burgeons recently imported by the Government had resigned. Mr Webster thought the colony should have two competent Government veterinary surgeons—one for each inland — who could be refeired to with respect to ' diseases amongst stock. A number of other questions were read and passed without discussion. ! The meeting then terminated.