SHEARERS' UNION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XIV, Issue 2961, 1 May 1893, Page 2

SHEARERS' UNION.

NEW ASHBURrON BRANCH.

A meeting of working men was held on Saturday evening in the Templar Hall, under the auapices of the Amalgamated Shearers' and Laborers' Union, to form a branch of that Association in this district. The meeting was attended by about fifty persons, and Mr J. W. Sawle was Chair* man. Apologies for the absence of Mr K. G. Wright, M.H.R M and Major Steward, M.H.R., were read. On the motion of Mr O'Brien, a resolution was unanimously passed expressive of the meeting's regret for the death of the late Premier, and its condolence with Mrs Balance in her bereavement. Mr O'Brien gave a short history of the Union, noting the rapidity of its progress, and the success that had attended it since its commencement. He said the Union' was over two thousand strong, and that in thft South Island it had twelve branches. Amonp its presidents it had two members of the House of Representatives—Messrs Kelly and Buiek—the former of whom had formulated a benefit scheme for members. On the motion of Mr Fagan, Alford Forest, who had been commissioned by the Geraldine Conference to organiso the Ashburfcon district, a motion was passed to establish a branch here, and a fair number of new members enrolled. The following officers of the new branch were elected:—President— Hon. Major. Steward, (elected in absence); Vice-president—Mr J. W. Sawle; treasurer —Mr 0. Spray ; secretary —Mr Joseph Bryant; Committee -MessrsA. Patterson, J. McKay, J. Hanlon, C. Tuckey. W. Tuckey, W. Dalton, T. Johns, J. Patterson, W. Parker, W. Bennetts, J. Ashton, The usual votes closed the proceedings.