SETTLERS' ASSOCIATIONS

King Country Chronicle, Volume XXIX, Issue 4746, 14 September 1935, Page 5

SETTLERS' ASSOCIATIONS

AMALGAMATED SOCIETY. The monthly meeting of the King Country Central Amalgamated Settlers' Association was held yesterday, the Pio Pio, Rangitoto and Tangitu branches being represented. Mr. C. E. Middleton presided. The Kiritehere Settlers' Association wrote forwarding its subscription to the Amalgamated Association and expressing the hope that it would be able to send a delegate to future meetings. A letter was received from the Minister of Employment through Mr. Broadfoot, M.P., in answer to a request that the forms for farmers in sending in income returns should be simplified. The letter stated that all the information asked for in these returns were most necessary, and the forms had been made as simple as possible.

Mr. Cullen said that Mr. Downie Stewart had stated in the House that these forms were most intricate for the average farmer who had no clerical experience.

The chairman said that farmers would be well advised to keep a duplicate copy of their returns as this would help in making out future ones.

The secretary (Mr. J. Jones) said he had written to the chairman of the Te Kuiti Chamber of Commerce stating that the Association would strongly support the Chamber in any movement to bring about a reduction of railway freights in this district. The secretary further reported that from information he had' received, the question of railway freights was in a state of flux at present, but he was hopeful of some action being taken in the near future for a more uniform scale of freight charges.

Commission on Stock Sales.

The secretary said he had written to the Auckland Stock Agents' Association in July, asking that the commission charges on stock sales be reduced, these being on a higher scale in the King Country than in many other districts. He received no reply and had written a second time with still no reply. Mr. Cullen expressed the opinion that the stock agents seemed determined to ignore the request.

The chairman said that this was a matter that required pushing. He considered that 5 per cent, was a high commission.

Mr. Early said that it was the practice to charge 5 per cent, for a single animal, but when a line of stock was sold the commission was 4 per cent. It was decided to make inquiries regarding the commission paid in other districts.

The request of the Rangitoto Settlers' Association to have the Mangarino Road declared a subsidiary highway was discussed at some length. It was pointed out that this road ran parallel with the present main highway, and the Highways Board might not give the proposal favourable consideration.

Mr. French pointed out, however, that as this was a stock route it was saving the Highways Board a considerable sum in maintenance, and the Board might reasonably consider some expenditure on its upkeep. The secretary reported that he had written to the County Engineer asking that some repairs should be carried out on the Aria-Mokauiti Road, which had recently been metalled but had developed many pot holes. The road had since been overhauled, and was much improved. Mr. Broadfoot forwarded a letter from the Minister of Agriculture stating that it was the Government's intention not to lift the embargo on imported stock. Satisfaction was expressed at the tone of the letter, speakers expressing the opinion that foot and mouth disease was not diminishing in other countries. The Tangitu Association forwarded a remit suggesting that a light be placed on the Wairere. bridge, it being pointed out that this was a dangerous crossing. A general discussion took place on the dangerous approaches to bridges in many parts of the district, the chairman making special mention of the road bridge over the Ongarue and the bridge at Okahukura where there had been several accidents. The opinion was expressed that it would be impossible to place lights on these bridges, but that white painted posts defining the approaches to the bridges would be equally efficacious, or even limestone blocks on each side of the road. The posts had been most effective in the Taranaki and Wellington districts ahd involved very little expense. It was decided to write to the Automobile Association and the Highways Board on the matter.