WAIKATO FARMERS CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume V, Issue 375, 3 December 1898, Page 4

WAIKATO FARMERS CLUB.

Thk following is the conclusion of our I report of the meeting held at the begin- ] niDg of the week : Compensation eor Stock Destroyed. —Mr John Fisher stated that stock that was destroyed by order of a Government Inspector was paid for, but he understood there were other people who had power to order the killing of animals—notably at the Thames—for which no compensation was granted. It was the duly of the Government to see that the matter was rectified, and he thought the club should take steps to endeavour to get all owners of condemned stock Remunerated. It was the Boroughs that appointed Inspectors under their by-laws that the greatest complaints were made about,—Mr Gillett- was sure that if the matter was properly represented to the Boroughs they would see that their Inspectors were duly invested with authority similar to that of Government Stock Inspectors, or they would appoint Government men in place of those now in office.—The matter was left to the Executive Committee to attend to. Traction Engines.—Mr Chas. Jarrett drew attention to the newly-framed bylaws of the Waipa County Council, and said he thought that body must wish to drive all traction engines out of the country, for the by-laws passed would make it impossible for any mau to carry on business with a traction engine. Several individuals h id gone to considerable expense in getting suitable machinery for the mutual benefit of the farmers and themselves, and now it appeared the County Council wanted to drive them all back to using the old portable engines. Personally, and he felt he might venture to also speak for the other owners, he did not object to pay the license fee, but the £SO guarantee he considered was a trap laid by the Council to try and get its bridges repaired at the expense of the engine owners. He considered it very unfair, and sooner than enter into Bucha bond he would shut down and give up the business. He would ask the Club to have Sections 3,4, 5,8, 11 and 12 of By-law No. 6 read, and he would state what he objected to.—The Secretary then read them, Mr Jarrett commenting upon each one. He asked how the " true and exact weight " was to be obtained of the engine or of the carriages propelled by it, when there was not a weigh-bridge in the county. Frequently thoy assisted the farmers by hooking a waggon load of produce on to the back of their train ; but would the farmers swear to the weight of their waggons when so loaded. Again, they would have to produce their license to every Tom, Dick and Harry that chose to ask for it. Up to the present the Council had found planks for the bridges where such were necessary, but the gear was not sufficient for the roads to carry, so now they had to take a few tons of planks over all the roads with them. The only places where they could obtain water in many districts was when passing over bridges, and they always took every possible care to be as speedy over the operation as possible; but now they were never to' atop on any bridge, which meant they must not travel. Clause 12 was simply ridiculous, for if complied with it meant very probably breaking the engine at the first hill they came to. —The Chairman said he understood a lady had been hindered some time from crossing a bridge by a traction engine being upon it. The by-laws were copied from some in use in Canterbury, where there were many more eugines than in the Waikato.— Mr Forrest thought it absurd to charge a fee equal to interest on £2OO, and also to want a guarantee as well.—Mr Scott said he had been told some riders had to /.go through a creek because an engine was upon the bridge, and when asked how long the bridge would be blocked the driver replied that he should come off as soon as he was ready.—Mr Jarrett said at the meeting of the Council the opinion of a councillor was asked on the matter, because he was reputed to have a traction engine ; but if that councillor had such an engine he must have got it very lately, for he had not one three weeks previous.—Mr J. Fisher thought '■ it was hardly a matter to bring before the Club; he considered it would be better to lay it before a meeting of the ratepayers of Waipa.—The President, who ia a member of the County Council, suggested bringing the matter before the council before calling a meeting of the Ratepayers; it would be more courteous. —Mr Jarrett said it would be useless, he was afraid, for the members from Te Awamutu side, where they had not any traction engines, would swamp the others; however, he consented to try conclusions with the Council before appealing to the ratepayers. The report of the delegates to the Auckland conference was adjourned till next meeting, as was also a letter from Mr W. A. Murray, which was upon a question that would take a considerable i time to discusß.