FARMERS’ AFFAIRS

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 8 March 1929, Page 10

FARMERS’ AFFAIRS

SOUTH TARANAKI UNION MEETING OF EXECUTIVE.

The monthly meeting of the South Taranaki Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday. Mr E. J. Betts presided. Others present were: Messrs L. A. Jennings, H, I. Crocker, W. T. Seed, J. Cocker, H. Wells, A. C. Ricketts, I). M. Cameron. J. A. Pettigrew, T. C. Bickford, W. H. Reynolds, and E. K: Cameron (secretary). Apologies were received from Messrs H. Thrush and Cahill. The Hawera Retailers’ Association wrote thanking the union for its support to the Wednesday half-holi day. Mr Betts said 1 that as a shopping day he had always favoured Saturday, which had been his business day in the eariy years.

TRAVELLING STOCK

The union’s solicitors forwarded an opinion regarding travelling stock, stating that they were unaware of any Jaw allowing a clrover to put stock into a fanner’s paddock without permission. A provision in the Land Act, 1924, gave the right to pasture travelling stock for a. period not exceeding 24 hours upon any unfenced and uncultivated pastoral lands within a quarter of a mile on either side l of any road or track , commonly used as a thoroughfare, and not within one mike of a homestead. There was also provision in the Stock Act, 1908, giving persons desirous of crossing any land with a flock of sheep or drove, of cattle or horses, a right to do so, subject to certain conditions as to giving prior notice etc., but any such right of passage must be along some recognised route, and a distance of five miles a day miust be covered.

Apart from the foregoing provision, it seemed that no drover had the right to turn his stock on to the lands of any person unless with the consent of the owner or occupier. Further, if a drover brought any diseased stock into contact with the stock of another person, lie would lfot only be liable for the penalties provided l by the Stock Act, 1908, but wouftd also be liable for a civil action for damages at the suit of the party injured.

RAILWAY EXCURSION

Mr J. Pringle, district business agent of the Railways Department, waited on the meeting with reference to the proposed South Taranaki Farmers’ excursion to the South Island. The secretary read, replies from several centres, including Oamjaru, Dunedin and Invercargill, .stating that all arrangements would be made for interesting excursions and accommodation could easily be found for a party of_ 150 or more. The Department of Agriculture. were to be approached regarding an exhibit, and lectures on the train.

Air Pringle said that the Railways business agent in the South Island would 00-operate in making arrangements for accommodation at the various centre.s. The charge would be a fiat rate for the whole forty. Boat arrangements would a! 1 so be made, and buses would be on hand to l meet the party at the different stepping places. The contemplated cost would be: Train fare £3 15s 9d', boat £2 15s, and niealLs £8 16s 9d, a total of £ls 7s 6d. This would no doubt be. reduced considerably, a.s. there would be a large amount of hospitality extended 1 to the party. To provide a. special train the Department required a guarantee of 160 oasiseiigers. A smaller number would bo accommodated on the ordinary express trains. Members of the party who wished to stay extra time in Christchurch could do so, and proceed home at their leisure up to a period of two weeks.

The proposed itinerary was : WednesAlay 29. leave Hawera 10 a.m. for ferry at Wellington; Thursday, May 30, arrive Christchurch 7 a.m. and ’leave 9 a.m. ; Friday 31, at Invercargill 9 p.m. ; Saturday June 1, leave Invercargill 9 a.m., arrive Gore 10 a .in., depart Gore 1.30 p.m. and arrive Dunedin 5 .p.m., remaining til’l Wednesday; Wednesday, June 5, ’ arrive iOama.ru 12 noon, leave 7 p.m. for Tiinaru, arriving at 8.45 p.m. : Thursday June 6, ait Timaru; Friday, June 7, depart from Timaru 9 a.m., arrive. Ashburton 10.30 a.m-.. depart 7.30 p.m., arrive Christchurch 9 p.m., remaining till Monday, May 10; Tuesday, lltli, arrive Wellington 7 a.m.. leave 9.50 a.m., arrive Hawera 6 p.m. The arrangements and organising were left in the hands of the secretary, Air. E. Iv. Cameron. Air. A. C. Ricketts congratulated Alessrs Pringle and Cameron on the itinerary and proposed a vote of thanks to them for their care in compiling it.

STOCK AND GOODS. Air. Jennings expressed the satisfaction of several farmers who had recently received eleven trucks of sheep at the new Hawera stock yards. Ho complimented the Railway Department, through Air. Pringle, on the facilities provided. Air. Pringle said that the yards at Hawera were the most up-to-date in the North Island. It was very gratifying to hear such encouraging expressions of opinion from, the farming community. Air. Pettigrew said that the trouble on the Opunake branch line was that there was no one- at the small stations to notify consignees of the arrival of goods. He suggested that the consignee’s telephone number be placed on the consignment form and the farmer be notified! by ’phone that his goods were about to arrive. General discussion ensued, several members also making complimentary reference, to the Railway Department’s management. DAYLIGHT SAVING. A circular requestng signatures to a petition, of those opposed to. daylight saving was received. [ Air. Cocker thought that proper] Greenwich time should be adhered to 1 throughout the year. This would, lie thought, solve the diffculty. A factory manager had told him tfiat much of the had milk had been caused through the early milking in'the evening. Air. Crocker quoted the earler days when during hand milking the cows were milked earlier at night. He thought that daylight saving made no difference whatever.

“They are rght out" for the full hour,” said Mr. Cocker, and if they get it it will be there forever. The best thing to do is to oppose it right away. A motion to- support the petition was carried.

GENERAL

The meeting decided to support a resolution from the Southland branch of the Union, opposing the adoption of the Junior High Schools. A motion by Air. Cocker to. urge the adopton of Form 3 of the new syllabus throughout New Zealand was carried. It was decided to hold- the annual provincial conference at Eltham this year, the date to lie arranged by the secretary.