NORTH WAIROA AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIA

Wairoa Bell, Volume IV, Issue 141, 14 April 1892, Page 2

NORTH WAIRO A AGRICULTURAL ASSOCIA

A meeting of farmers and others was held in the hall on Saturday evening, April 9fch. It had been by Mr Samuel Webb of Rock vale to consider the of forming a Formers’ Club or some similar the promotion of agricultural interests in the Northern W’ district. Twenty-five or thirty persons were present the motion of Mr F. Bradley, Air S. Webb was voted to chair. Mr Webb then explained how the question they met to cuss first came to be talked about, and that he had the meeting at the request of others. There are lots of things he said, a Farmers’ Club can undertake which individuals cannot ; such for instance as the holding of Shows, and the common ownership of agricultural implements. Mr Webb then read the advertisement in the Waihoa Bell convening the meeting. He said that he had used the term “Farmers’ Club,” and some had told him that such a. term would embrace politics, but he himself did not intend that such should be introduced into their Society if one were formed. He Afcucallcd upon some gentleman to move the first resolution. ! J Mr Thomas Webb, of Ivopuru, moved “ That this is of opinion that an institution to foster and improve the affairs of settlers in the North Wairoa district should be formed. He considered the formation of such an institution highly desirable, but hoped it would be carried on in some other way than is d< niu other places, it was customary to have one day in the year and that was all. He c ‘sidcrcd that regulav meetings should be held and .subjects interest to fanners discussed, such as, -he buttercup r i-amv. eodlin moth, and others. He h-licvcd iu a Farmers' C-iub bur. notes carried out in Puparoa, Purr Albert. Otaihau ; they must have educational meetiugs at. regular periods. Mr Frauklyn Bradley said he did see some advantage in a Show, for.it stimulated p?oplc to do better during the following year, and he also saw . good deal of benefit in the bedding of meetings as mentioned by Mr Webb The .Show shouldHjc distiuct from the Chib, and riiey might have both but lie thought they were scarcely sufficiently advanced to hold a Show. Wha evcr they did should not be confined to Arapohue but must include the whole district. It should prove very beneficial for settlers to meet together aud discuss ■wliat Mr Webb had termed homely topics and he liad much pleasure in seconding the motion. The motion was then carried unanimously. Mr Thomas Webb then moved ‘ That lhe society be called ■ The North Wairoa Farmers’ Club.’ ’ He would not at present introduce political questions, although ‘ Farmers’ Clubs ’ generally took up such, subjects. So many associations had been formed by diffe? ent classes that it might become necessary for farmers to form a political combination.

Mr .J. Matthews seconded the motion. Mr IT. T. Smith moved as an amendment that the society be called ‘The North Wairoa Agricultural Association.’ Mr A. E Harding seconded the amendment. ITe considered that the term ; Farmers’ Club ’ would limit the membership to farmers. If it were decided to hold a Show outside assistance would be wanted, and outsider*, would not join a * Farmers* Club.’ Mr W. Dreadon suggested { Settlers’ Club as a suitable name. All were settlers, even the blacksmith and shoemaker, but it was a wide stretch of imagination to call all farmers. Mr B- C. New agreed with Mr Dreadon for there were many settlers who were not farmers. Mr Smith’s amendment was ultimately carried and the society is to be called * The North Wairoa Agricultural Association.’ The following gentlemen were then appointed a committee to draw up rules and lay the same before a future meeting ; Messrs M. Harding, Thomas Webb, H. T, .Smith, Thomas Bassett, and J. Denuin. Mr C-elstou thought that some idea should be given the Committee as to the lines upon which the meeting desired to have the rules framed. He hoped that provision would be made for monthly meetings. Mr J. Matthews said that some people considered that such a. Society as that now entered upon premature but had they had one iu the past they might have had something to say in reference to the duty of L'2 per ton on fencing wire, as also on the ferry business. Mr Gelston moved a vote of thanks to the Chairman and thought he might feel- congratulate upon the number that had responded to his appeal. Mr F. Bradley seconded and the motion was unanimously agreed to. The Chairman said that he had only acted as the organ of others. He mentioned the matter to one gentleman and was told that lie would only meet with disappointment for about here were just like a rope of sand and all ho tried to do would end in bickering and discontent. He was pleased that such could not yet be said of this matter. The meeting then broke up. A committee meeting was held immediately after and Mr M. Harding was instructed to.communicate with similar existing societies and gather all the information possible and after procuring same to call the Committee together.