Federated Farmers And Veterinary Clubs On West Coast

Grey River Argus, 11 September 1948, Page 3

Federated Farmers And Veterinary Clubs On West Coast

The question of forming a Veterinary Ciuo on the West coast, was relerred to by the President (Mr W. H. Martin), at the executive meeting ox the Federated Farmers of New Zealand West Coast branch, yesterday. He said it would be impossible to have two veterinary oxticers at the otuset and as xar as the formation of clubs, they had to await replies from the dairy companies, who would provide the basis of the finance for the clubs. Mr H. G. Beckett said the three southern dairies had agreed to raise the necessary money. » Mr Martin said he would like to see Karamea and Buller valley join the scheme. Mr H. G. Carter said they must make every effort to convince the people, north and south, of the necessity for a Veterinary Club. Once established others could be formed, but they had to have a veterinary officer. If they did not do something they would find themselves without a veterinary officer. The secretary (Mr J. Mulcare) said Karamea was definitely interested, and it would be injurious if the Federated Farmers did not-include Karamea in the area. It was decided to include the whole of the West Coast and Karamea and Buller valley in a veterinary district! SPEED OF STOCK TRAINS The speeding up of stock trains from Ross to Addington or the freezing works was sought by the Wata-roa-Waiho branch on behalf* of the farmers of South Westland, It also asked that farmers travelling with their stock be granted concession rates. It was agreed to take the necessary action. 'Being of the opinion that all hospital rates should be struck on capital value as intended by recent legislation, the Maruia branch objected to local bodies rating for hospital purposes on unimproved values. It was decided to obtain a report on the matter. It was decided to make representations to the Minister of Lands (Hon. C. F. Skinner), to reconsider the question of sub-dividing land at Kopuru into smaller areas for the purpose of establishing dairying properties. Mr C. Jamieson said the land in questino was more suitable for dairying than for grazing property.