COUNTRY NEWS AND. NOTES.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13007, 8 January 1908, Page 8

COUNTRY NEWS AND. NOTES.

4 JOTTINGS FOR * aJLvLEIUS.

A meeting of the Hawke's Bay branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was hoW at Hastings yesterday afternoon to discuss the President's circular in regard to tihe shearers' dispute. A commi-btee wae appointed to aot as representatire* of the union before the Arbitration Coart, but it was decided not to offer any eridcnoe beifore the Conciliation Board. A largely attended) mooting of sheep farmers was held at Pahiatua yesterday afternoon, to consider th© shearers' dispute. Mr Samuel Bolton presided. Mr Cooper was the principal speaker, and ho detailed the demands of the Shearers' Union, and tho objections formulated by the Farmers' Union to these demands. The following resolutions were unanimously parsed:— 'That this meeting agrees to .support tho programme of the Executive of tho Farmers' Union, and agrees to appoint. Mr Cooper as ita representative l>efore the Arbitration Court." "That this meeting agrees to pay 5s per 1000 sheep towards the expenses of defending the farmers' case in Court."'

OXFORD. j A ]»rgo and repnwentative mnctTng i oi- Oxford ratepayers was held at the site ol tho tyre dam on ilonday, when it was propceod by Mr A. C. Pnchard, seoandod b>- Jir ». P. Pole, and carried unanimously—"That the chairman of the Oxford Ex»d BoaTd bo requested to call a special meeting of that Board to tate into consideration tho construction of an additional dam to conserve the water now flowing down the river, and to carry this into •Sod without delar." It waa also reBolred thet the following gentlemen be deputed to wait upon the Board to give j all requisite information: —Messrs U. j Smith. J. Wells, A. D. and j A. C.'Priohard.

RANGIORA. Tho Registrars returns for last year show there were iy& birch* and 51 deaths, end -10 Uoousos for, marriag«s wore is£U<xl.