GERALDINE FARMERS’ CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2687, 19 July 1894, Page 3

GERALDINE FARMERS’ CLUB.

The monthly meeting of the Geraldine Farmers’ Club was held on Monday evening, a large attendance of members being present, and Mr M. C. Orbell (president) in the chair. THE ANNUAL MINpiBS. A brief discussion as to whpther or not the minutes of the club’s annual meeting should bo confirmed at the present general meeting or be hold over to bo passed twelve months hence, took place. Tfio chairman thought that the usual custom should be departed from, and the minutes be passed at a general meeting. Mr Webster was in favor of passing the minutes at thp anuual meeting, as an ordinary meeting Imd uq more right to

confirm the annual minutes than they had to confirm the committee’s minutes. Mr White agreed with Mr Webster. Mr Hawkins agreed with the chairman in the matter, and mentioned an instance wherein a company had altered their rules so that the annual minutes could be passed at a general meeting, Mr Skinner thought that the minutes should be read at the general meeting but not confirmed. _ Finally it was decided that the names of the committee be' read over, and the matter ended at that. an oversight. The chairman stated that there were two important matters overlooked at the last committee meeting, viz., the horse parade and the holding of a ploughing match. Mr Mundell, however, would be seen on sale day about the horse parade, and the ploughing match could be disi cussed at a future meeting. NEW MEMBERS. The following new members were elected, viz., Messrs W. Deßenzy, G, Cross, Morrison, and W. G. Aspinall. SPEYING HEIFERS, The chairman asked whether the members had seen an article in an Australian journal re speying heifers. In Sweden and Denmark this was done, and their main strength in the butter and milk market was owing to this method of speying heifers, whereby they would go on milking for years. He thought it should be tried in New Zealand, and Lincoln College might make an experiment on it. Mr Webster mentioned a local case wherein someone had speyed a heifer that went on milking for years. ANNUAL DINNER. The chairman said that at the last committee meeting it was recommended that the general meeting should consider the advisability of holding an annual dinner in connection with the club. The feeling of the committee was in favour of it. Mr Webster said he had brought the matter before the committee on the suggestion of one of the members as being a very valuable idea of bringing the farmers together in good fellowship. The idea was to hold the dinner in the club’s building, and there were two ideas thought of, one that members supply the dinner, and the other that the catering be tendered for at so much per head. He would move —“ That an annual dinner be held in connection with the Geraldine Farmers’ Club and that a sub-committee consisting of Messrs M. C. Orbell, J. Murray, A. E. Hawkins, B, B. Macdonald, J. Allan, B. H. Pearpoint, Major Moore, and the mover be appointed to carry out arrangements for the first dinner, to be held on or about the Thursday nearest the full moon in August.” Mr J. Wreathall seconded the resolution which was carried unanimously. Mr J. Murray moved that tenders be got for the catering, not to exceed 3s per head. PLOUGHING MATCH. It was resolved—“ That a ploughing match be held, and a sub-committee be appointed to raise funds and make all necessary arrangements; the committee to consist of the president, Messrs W. M. Moore, J. Allan, H. B. Webster, R. Skinner, A. Metcalf, N. Dnnlop, and the mover, Mr G. Ward, ' SPECIAL MEETINGS. The chairman saidjit had been suggested that special meetings of the club be held on the afternoons of sale days. This might meet the wishes of those members who desired the club’s general meetings on sale days. Mr Webster said that he had originated this idea as a few members were disappointed that the club’s general meetings were not held on Wednesday 1 evenings on. sale days. He thought that they would get good' attendances at such special meetings, and a good hour’s discussion might be raised on important political questions before the House of interest to farmers. He would propose “That when necessary the committee have power to call special meetings at the close of the Geraldine stock sales during the session of Parliament to discuss any question of importance that may arise.” Mr K. McKenzie seconded the resolution, which was carried. THE CLUB’S MEETINGS. Mr Webster mentioned that every second meeting of the club clashes with another meeting in the town, at which a large number of the club’s members had to attend. He moved—“ That the secretary and the mover meet the secretary of the Presbyterian Church Managers to arrange the date of meetings so as not to clash. ” —-Carried. NOXIOOS WEEDS BILL. The chairman stated that he had received the Noxious Weeds Bill to come before the House. Any alterations the club might wish would be considered if forwarded to Mr McKenzie. After the chairman had read one or two important clauses it was decided to lay the Bill on the table for members to read; the Bill to be discussed at the next general meeting of the club. DRAIN PLOUGH. Mr Webster, at the request of the meeting, gave an account of the drain plough trial recently held at Woodbury, and mentioned that a very good description of same had appeared in the Geraldine Guardian. The meeting then terminated. A special meeting of the Geraldine Farmers’ Club was held immediately after the stock sale yesterday afternoon. The president occupied the chair, and there was a large attendance of members. proposed split of county. Mr A. White introduced Mr Gaze (Temuka), as representing the Temuka ratepayers, canvassing the Geraldine ratepayers for signatures to a petition to Parliament opposing the Levels Boad District Bill fop separation from the Geraldine County Council district. The chairman mentioned that the club had received the following post-card and telegram from Mr W. S, Maslin, M.H.R., in reply to a resolution from the club : “ H. M. Moore, Esq., Geraldine. “ Your telegram to hand, and shall have attention i also yours re copy of Bills, etc. These will be duly forwarded to the club. I should like to hear more re County Bill before it comes on on Thursday next. If proposed new county included the Temuka road district, leaving Geraldine and Mo put Peel to form themselves into a poynty, I think the Bill pow before the House should be gur;, ported. Government intend shortly to introduce a Bill to abolish the minor forms of local government. This would no doubt abolish road levels,—Yours etc., “W. S. Maslin,” “ To John Moore, Geraldine. “ If Temuka is included in the Levels County, would Goraldiue and Mount Peel object '! I think it would be advantageous. Government intend shortly ito reduce number of rating bodies, Reply Thursday. “ W, S. Maslin, “ Wellington.” Mr Gaze then went into details with respect to the feeling of opposition to tho Bill in tho Temuka district.

Mr H. B. Webster moved—“ That a telegram be sent to Mr Maslin, instructing him to oppose the Levels Bill in tofo, even if Temuka is joined, and not give way to any point whatever.” NOXIOUS WEEDS BILL. The Noxious Weeds Bill was then brought on by the chairman for discussion. Two or three clauses were read and discussed, the most important of which was the burning of gorse. Members protested strongly against this clause, and without further discussion on the Bill it was moved by Mr D. McLeod, and seconded by Mr B. R. Macdonald “ That this club is opposed to the Noxious Weeds Bill as it stands now.” The resolution was put to the meeting 12 being in favour of it, and six against. The chairman, in declaring the resolution carried, said it Was the worst piece of business the club had done, as he thought the Bill should have been fully discussed. Mr Barker said he had read the Bill through, and in his opinion it was nothing but bunkum. The meeting then closed.