THE WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2742, 8 February 1890, Page 2

THE WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

» The above Club met on Monday evening, at Cambride, the following members being present :—Messrs G. E. Clark (chairman), J. Fisher (vice), W. B. Souter. R. Fisher, H. R. Hyatt, T. Walker, Fawcett, J. Arnold, W. G. Park, and T. llartly. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. Auctioneers' Charges.—Mr W. J. Hunter wrote that he would charge five per cent, for stock sold at Cambridge, providing the Borough Council would be content with half per cent, for the use of the yi-rds. Mr McNiuol wrote in similar terms, but stated the alteration would apply to Cambridge only, and that all other sales would remain as heretofore. By instruction of the committee, the secretaiy had wiitten to the Borough Council asking them to reduce the charge for selling in the Borough yards. A Good Example.—Messrs W. J. Henton and Robt. Dick, who had been appointed honorary members of the Club for services rendered, forwarded 10s as a donation, which act ot courtesy was duly appreciated. Prizes for Breau, etc., at the Te Awamutu Show.—Considerable discussion took place as to tha policy of giviug four prizes for bread, scones, sponge-cake and buns, at the forthcoming show at Te Awamutu, several contending that many who can make good bread, might not be able to make cakes, etc., and would therefore not compete. The Chairman said the matter had been left with the committee to deal with, and they had decided that competitors should show samples of all four of the articles mentioned He trusted the conditions would not debar anyone from competing; ho was afraid "the boot would ba upon the other foot," for he thought the majority of their daughters would be found capable of making good cakes, etc., while they would be deficient in baking bread. He thought the various articles being combined in one class, would be an incentive to them to pay more attention to the staple article of food, for moat girls could make a scone or sponge-cake, while but a few could make a good loaf of bread. It was eventually decided to let the prizes remain as fixed by the committee, and to add another class for broad only, in which the prizes will be 12s 6d and 7s (id for tho first and secoud best loav-es. Captain Souter kindly undertook to collect the money, and the greater portion was at once subscribed in the room. In this extra class the loaves must be 41b. ones. Railway Reform.—'The Borough Council wrote suggesting that the Club should c«ll a public meeting re railway reform, and offering tho use of the Public Hall free of cosc. It was resolved, " that the Reform League be asked to prepare a list of resolutions they would wish submitted at tho meetings proposed to be called bv the several loc.il bodies in the district, and to suggest that copies of such resolutions be forwarded to the chairman of such bodies, so as to givo uriifoimity of action at the respective meetings," The secretaiy was instucted to inform the Borough Council of tho action taken by the Club, and to point out that the chairman of the local bodies are, in the opinion of tho Club, the proper persons to call public meetings re railway reform, thay having been authorised and requested to do so, at a general meeting of the executive committee of the league.

Agricultural Lecture. — Professor Thomas having expressed his willingness to delivera course of lectures, on agricultural chemistry in Waikato ; the secretary had, by order of the committee, written asking upon what terms he would deliver three lectures in Cambridge, Tβ Awamutu, and Hamilton respectively. If a favourable reply is received the lectures will be given at the end of the prestjnt month or early in March. Hoitsß Breeding.—Mr A. A. Fantham. of Hawera wrote, informing the members that he had the horse "Glasgow Geordie" for sale, if any of them wanted a change of blood. The price asked is 100 guineas. The Bag Question. —The Chairman said the bag question was a matter of great importance to the farmers, and he thought they ought to make a decided stand against the bags being weighed in with the grain. He was not prepared to pay for a bag and sell it for 2d.—After considerable discussion, during which some hard knocks were aimed at the Loan and Mercantile Company, the secretary was instructed to write to the manager of the Northern Roller Mills, asking if ho is prepared t<: buy wheat direct from bhe grower, charging no commission and paying extra for the bags, instead of weighing them in with the contents,