WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 3105, 9 June 1892, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

The ordinary and annual meetings of the above Club were held in the club-room, at Cambridge, on Monday evening. The usual monthly meeting was held first, there being present; Messrs J. Fisher (chairman). Rd. Reynolds. G. E. Clark, J. Anderson, H. Buttle, W. J. Sonter, E. Rhodes, S. Seddon, M. A. Soutor, A. Gane, H. Clark, C. Bull, E. Allen. J. Gane, W. Scott, W. Grov, T. A. Hides, .1. Fisher, iun., J. W. Hicks. J. S. Bond, T. llartly. ,J. Forrest, T. Walker, R. Fisher. T. Wells and] f. R. Hyatt. The minutes of tho previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Late Ma.iou Wilson.—The Chairman referred in feeling terms to the loss the Club had sustained by tho death of Major Wilson. The inoinbers wero awaro tho Club had lately discussed a very able paper prepared by tha la:o Major, and had ha lived he (tho chairman) had every reason to believe that Major Wilson would have favoured them with another paper on the subject of sheep-breeding.—The secretary was ordered to send a letter of condolence to the relatives of the deceased gentleman. The Federation of Faumeus. — The Auckland Provincial Agricultural Association forwarded a circular stating that the Association wero convinced that unit"d action on tho part of tho farmers would greatly further the cause of agriculture; it had, therefore, decided to attempt to consolidate the kindred societies in the province. No detailed scheme had yet been formulated, but provision had been made for presidents, vice-presidents and secretaries of provincial associations being ex-officio members of the general committee. It pointed out that the affiliation of all local societies would form a powerful organisation that could remedy many abuses, that they were now powerless to deal with, and that the central Association could watch tho interests of the farmers in the House of Representatives, gather and disseminate useful information, promote the holding ot shows, the opening of new markets, and foster the interests of farmers generally. The Association asked for tho views of the Club upon the subject.— The Chairman said it was an important subject to farmers, but he would like to teo the whole of tho farmers of tho colony federated, as he thought that would be much better than a provincial association only. Mr G. E. Clark said the farmers were all, he thought, anxious to amalgamate to get extra benefits, but he would like more information regarding this Provincial Association before agreeing to join it. If the application had emanated from the Mangore Farmers' Club he should n&t have hesitated to support it, but he was told the Association referred to was com-

posed largely of merchants whose interests were not always identical with the farmers' therefore they should bo cautions in what they did regarding the matter. Mr Forrest was of opinion that the farmers must federate and that they would not, derive much benefit until they did. This subject

had been under consideration at a previous meeting, when a similar application had been received from a Southern Society. It was resolved to send a copy of tho letter sent by the Club to the above_ mentioned Society, to the Provincial Association. Thb Waiicato Agricultural Show.—A communication was received from the agricultural show committee containing the following resolution in raply to the Club's offer of seven and a-lialf guineas, conditionally upon certain classes in the prize schedule being duplicated : " That this committee acknowledge with thanks the offer of the Waikato Farmers' Club, and that the Club be asked to consider the following proposition : That the following new classes be added to the schedule :—74a, best pen of three heifers, calved before August Ist, 1890; 7oa, best pen of three heifers, calved before August Ist, 18!)1 ; 70a, best pen of three steers, calved before August Ist, 1891; 83a, best pen of three Lincoln rams, under IS months ; .Sin, best pen of Hve Lincoln ewes, under 18 month*. These classes to be open only to farmers occupying not more than 300 acres ; the stock shown to have been the bona fide | property of the exhibitor for not less than three months previous to thedate of the show. —The chairman thought these classes would give the small farmers a better show than tho duplication of classes as suggested by the Ck:b. On the motion of Mr Buttle, seconded bv Mr Forrest, the letter was received with thanks, aud tho suggestions contained therein agreed to. A Pattern Business Lkttkr Rk Cooperation.—The following letter was received from Messrs Kegwiald Beaumont and Co., secretaries pro. tern, of the Auckland Co-operative Butchery, under date May 4th:—"To the President 'Waikato Farmers' Club.' Dear Sir,—As we advised you in our last letter, we once more write to you're co-operative butchery. We have thought it advisable not to issue tho prospectus until now ; but now that we have done so, we are confideut that it will be a success. There is an impression current in Auckland just now—and apparently intelligent people who ought to know better, believe it—that the Waikato farmers, one and all, cannot sell thair stock without the consent of tho Bank of New Zealand; or in plain words, that the whole of the \Vn\kato farmers are the Bank's servants. Such an impression is so utterly absurd, that it is astounding that it should require contradicting ; but the story is being so diligently circulated by the butcher.., that we think for the sake of tho farmers as well as the

Bank, it should receive official contradiction. Of course the story is being circulated with a view of convincing the public that the butchers have a monopoly of the meat supply at both ends. While thanking the Waikato farmers for the courteous manner in which they received our last communication, we cannot help noticing that a great deal of the stylo of: "Thank you, old fellow !; we don't mind if you do give us a lift, but don't expect us to move ourselves," is displayed In fact, the farmers hardly realise to what extent they are affected by the movement. No doubt, you have all had a bad experience of co-operation (?) but we hope you won't be offended when we tell you that true co-operation has never been tried in the Auckland province so far. If the present society tu'-ns out to be the success we be'ieve it wjl' l be, the Waikato farmers would possfbiy think they were badly treated, if the society entered into a contract with the Taranaki farmers for a three years' supply of beef. Not that such a thing is contemplated in the least ; but the Waikato farmers could blame nothing but their own apathy if such a thing had to occur. We do not think that thera will be any trouble in forming the society, but at the same time we wish to see it started with as much capital as possible; we therefore forward to you a quantity of prospectus—not with the expectation of seeing you subscribe, but with a hope that you may take up from two shares each upwards; at the outside you can but place £2 10s into the affair, and although we don't pretend to oiler you sensational dividends, yet you may expect up to ten per cent, for your money direct; but indirectly no one can say how much you may benefit by the society. We hope that you will realize the fact, that it will be better for both yourselves aud the members at this end that everyone should help to make the society a success.— Yours, faithfully, Reginald Beaumont and Co.—The letter caused much merriment, and at the conclusion of it the chairman said: "Now, gentlemen, what are you going to say to it? To which someone roplied, " Splendid I "—The prospectus of the association was then read. In it the ladies are specially called upon to to take up shares.—Mr Buttle said as the Club was not " a farmers' wives' association,"' he moved that the letter be allowed to lie on the table.—Mr Forrest seconded the motion although he was to a great extent in sympathy with the movement. Ho thought the consumers were very ungrateful, for when a species of co-operative butchering was tried in Cambridge some time ago—and he felt inclined to try it again-the price of meat was lowered very considerably; but when the butchers lowered their prices the public went hack to them, and now the orices were up again.—The motion was agreed to. Smuts.—The Chairman said that he had perused the bulletin on this subject that by the kindness of Messrs Souter and Co. md the proprietor of The Waikato Ti.uks had been placed at the disposal of the public, and he felt couvinced that it would prove of great bonefit to the community at large. The damage done by smuts in wheat and oats was very considerable—much more Hian the majority of farmers were aware of, :uij the bulletin dealt with the subject thoroughly, and gave a variety of methods for preventing the damage done by it. He had never tried the hoc-water system, but he had seen it tried in the Waikato with great success, the yield of both grain and straw being greatly increased by it. He had been accustomed to use a dressing u-ade of bluestuue, but he had known grain that, dressed or undressed, had caused smut-, in ■ the crops raised fruin it, so m-rejnu-l. j have been something lacking. lie did tmi use the grain tugs again for his seed, prcj jewing bags that had contained bonedust,

nr even potatoes ; lint "■' i"'!h vod that I■■ >iiing the bag-, as mcmm-nd-l by the bnl!.tin, would free then, ti-.m the goi .•.■. -Mr Forrest said there could only b« one opinion —viz., that they ha'! all ic-arm-d something from tho paper. Ho had carefully put away his supplement to Tin: li.mks c hitaining the information, and should try ti.o remedies rr>c<iinni«nrl-;.l. J I", was sure t.h'-.y were all grateful to Messrs Soutarand Go. and the proprietor of The Waikato 'I rJiKft for furnishing them with tho infonnation, and he moved that a hearty vot- i.f thanks bo accorded them.—This was duly seconded and unanimously agreed to. HOOT Show.—lt was resolved that the consideration ..f holding a root show he def'errod till next yoar, but that, junges he appointed to award the prizes ottered by Messrs Sutton and Sons, as requested by the Horticultural Society, the appi intmeiit of Huch judges to be left in tho hands of the executive committee. The annual meeting was then held, hut we must, hold over the report till next iss te.