PUTARURU

Matamata Record, Volume III, Issue 203, 9 December 1920, Page 4

PUTARURU

E FARMERS’ INTERESTS. MAKING OF ENSILAGE. RETURN OF CREAM CANS, j meeting of the PularurO branch .... . le Farmers’ Union wallet in the Putaruru Hall on * last, the prefiidOnt, Mr.* IL xf. Bullock, j in the chair. The other members prel . sent were: Messrs. W. Mon'ison, 0. D. | Sneddon, Vincent, jun., H. A. Boyd, H. Robinson, J. Lane, P. D. Morrison, H. W.’ Baldwin, T. M. Harwood, —. Baldwin, and C. G. Alcorn, secretary. • It wae resolved to thank Mr. T. H. Paterson, agricultural instnictor, for his lecture on manuring, given at the previous meeting of the branch, and to invite him to again lecture to the local farmers whenever he was in the Putaruru district. It was reported that an agricultural had recently visited this district to secure samples of the soils here for analysis ' as to the lack of lime in them.. Mr. Paterson wrote asking for definite information as to the particular kind of a North Island company’s manure, which a member of the. branch wanted analysed. The member, being present, gave the particulars, which, the secretary was instructed to forward to Mr. Paterson. Advice was received that it was understood that the new Fertilisers Bill had now been completed. It was reported by the president that the public demonstration on ensilage making to be given by Mr. Dibble, agricultural instructor, at his (the president’s) farm, Lichfield, would probably be given this week. • He invited air the farmers who could attend to do so, for their own instruction, and in fairness to Mr. Dibble, whom, lie said, was doing this work, although ’.on sick leave. Arrahgements were made for the farmers-from each part of the district to attend on cer tain days, for the purposes of obtaining instruction and providing the

necessary help. The president stated that any farmers within reasonable distance would be welcome to some of the ensilage when they required some. A vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Bullock for setting aside one of the paddocks for tho demonstration, and it was also resolved to write thanking Mr. Dibble for giving up portion [ of bis leave to give the demonstration. Mr. W. Morrison and others complained of the many, instances of the non-arrival of farm workers engaged by farmers through labour bureaux, Jt; was decided to obtain a copy of the regulations controlling such bureaux. Mr. Sneddon moved, and it was carried unanimously, that the branch write to the Prime Minister, asking when the board of experts’ report on the Arapuni hydro-elect rieal scheme would bo available. Numerous complaints having been made as to the lax manner in which cream cans wore returned from the Dairy Company’s factory at Ngaruawahi'a, it was suggested that the branch ask the company to investigate |thc matter. As convenor of the -local [committee of suppliers, to the company, Mr. W. Morrison said that in some cases suppliers did not have enough cans to allow them to wait a reasonable time for the return of those they did have. In regard to lids, he had picked up four lids on the road. Further, the Railway Department carried the empty cans without charge, and therefore could not be held liable for any default in regard thereto. Also, in laying a complaint, specific instances with full particulars were necessary. All these factors should be borne in mind in dealing with this subject. It was decided to leave the matter in Mr. Morrison’s bands for , attention. At the instance of Mr. P. D. MorriI son, it was resolved to ask the bacon j companies to advertise tho days on

which their pig-buyers .visited Putavuru. Two new members were elected. Several accounts were then passed for payment, and the meeting concluded. FARMERS AND POLITICS. Tho proposal for an active farmers’ political party was discussed at the last meeting of the Putaruru branch of the Farmers’ Union, the matter being introduced by a circular from the provincial executive, asking for support for the proposal. Tho president of the branch, Air. 11. W. Bullock, supported it, slating that in his opinion it was necessary to have a farmers’ party in Parliament to promote the farmers' legitimate aims, of which the majority of the members, not being farmers, were ignorant, unless under special circumstances. Mr. W. Morrison said lie could not endorse the proposal, as.it seemed to him that if put into effect, an endeavour would naturally be made to hind the members of the union to vote for the farmers’ party candidates. This would be an infringement of the liberty of the subject, and ho therefore thought the proposal inadvisable. The candidates should, put their views before the electors and leave the electors to decide themselves for whom they should vote. In that case there would be no doubt that a candidate really having the interests of the farmers at heart, would get the farmers’ votes.

Mr. Bullock replied that organisation was essential to success in regard to politics. Tt was organisation that was the secret of tho Labour party’s progress, and the essence of party politics. The farmers were losing power through not being organised. Mr. H. A. Boyd stated that lie was in favour of the Farmers’ Union nominating candidates for Parliament, though be would not bind himself to vote for the union’s nominee. However, ho thought that a great improvement would result if the elections in this country were on the proportional representation system. Mr. Bullock moved, and it was carried without dissent that the blanch, in reply to the circular, state that it was in favour of the proposal. SCHOOLS COMMITTEE MEETING. This month’s meeting of the Putaruru School Committee was held in the Putaruru School on Monday evening last. However, as only the chairman and the secretary, Messrs. F. C. Barnett and H. C. Wheeler, respectively, attended, there was not a quorum, and the business transacted is subject to confirmation at the next meeting of the committee. Mr. Barnett reported that, as requested by the committee, lie had visited Mangatapu and inspected the school building and teacher’s dwelling there, the Mangatapu school being under the jurisdiction of the committee. He found that both, under present circumstances, were unsuitable for .their purpose, though the generosity of the mills manager there, Air. McArthur, in providing these buildings, must not bo overlooked. Nevertheless, the roll number was 16 or thereabouts, and as Mangatapu would be on the new main road to Rotorua, and in addition to the timber-milling there, which was likely to be continued on a large scale for some years to 'ionic, ’pastoral pursuits bad been commenced, be thought the Education Board should now erect a suitable school and teachers’ dwelling there. It was agreed to recommend the Board to do this.

By a circular, the Board notified that the schools would close for the Christmas holidays on Tuesday, Dec. 21st, and reopen on February 2nd. During February they would be open for only three and a-half hours per day, commencing 5.30 or 9.0 a.m. —at the discretion of the committee. It was agreed that the Puta.ru 1 u school should commence at nine o’clock. Advice was received that Mrs. H. Hannlccn had been appointed a permanent assistant at the school. The Education Board notified that special portraits of the King and Queen were now available for schools. It was decided to order a set for each of the two classrooms. It was agreed that the next meeting of the committee should be held l in February. TENNIS CLUB MEETING. A meeting of the committee of the Putaruru Bowling, Croquet, and Tennis Club was held at the residence of the secretary, Miss E. It. Alcorn, on Saturday evening last, Mr. S. J. Parker presiding. The other members present were: Messrs. W. P. Roberts, j. R. 0. Lochhead, L. M. Nichlin, and j-I. Pearce, and the secretary. It was reported that two local residents whom the club had asked to form its asphalt tennis court had replied that they could not do the work until after the approaching holidays. A subcommittee comprised of Miss Alcorn, Mr. Parker and Mr. Pearce, was deputed to carry out negotiations with these two residents with a view to having the court laid down by them immediately after the holidays. The action of the sub-committee in procuring a set of hoops, etc., for the club’s proposed croquet court at a price considered a bargain, namely £!(), was endorsed. The matter of erecting a picquet fence along' the Iront ol the clubs grounds in lieu of the post-and-wire fence at present there was deferred, it being considered that the club should devote its available funds to the formation of the courts. It was resolved to provide a gateway to the grounds in the meantime; also to plant a hedge of tree-lucerne along

the frontage, Mr. Roberts to have charge of this work. It was decided to fork and roll the ground on the arrival of the club’s roller. Messrs. Parker, Nichlin and Lochhoad undertook to take the roller from tho station to the grounds on its arrival. Alessrs. Nichlin, Lochhoad and Pearce were deputed to deal with an offer to sell the club a secondhand lawn-mower, and 'arrangements were made for the erection of a temporary shelter in one corner ol the grounds for tho roller and the mower. The chairman reported that the County Engineer, Mr. F. Shannon, had agreed to fix the levels for the grounds as soon as he could spare the tme. A balance of £3 0/7 from the old tennis club was received from Air. Roberts, who was thanked for it. Two new lady members, both for croquet, were elected.

A movement for the formation of a troop of boy scouts at Putaruru has been inaugurated. Air. J. R. 0. Lochbead has undertaken the work, and is at present enrolling intending members. To a charge of being drunk while in charge of a vehicle, a first offender pleaded guilty before Alessrs. R. Alcorn and J. Barr Brown, J.’sP., at a special meeting of the Putaruru Police Court on Monday morning last, lie was fined 10/ and costs 7/. The salcyards at Putaruru arc now practically completed, and the directors of the local salcyards company, which had them erected, arc to visit Hamilton to-day, Thursday, to arrange with the stock auctioneering companies the terms on which the latter will bold sales there, as the local company itself does not intend to hold sales. A little girl named Alaud Barnes, about 8i years of age, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. J. Barnes, Railway Road, Putaruru, broke her arm one day last week as a result of tripping over an obstacle. She was attended by Dr. Perrett Millington, and is now reported to be well on the way to recovery. About sixty people attended the dance, held in the Putaruru Hall on Friday evening last by a local committee, and heartily enjoyed themselves throughout. The floor was in good order, and not crowded, The pianoforte accompaniments for the dances wore played by Alosdames Millington and Barr Brown, and a good supper was provided by the ladies who attended. The duties of AI.C. were carried out by Messrs G. L. Martin and W. Ashford. Mr F. C. Barnett, of Putaruru, is now out and about again after a very painful accidental illness. He was spraying some plants with a very strong, mixture, carrying the container on his back. However, *it leaked, and tho mixture reached the skin on his back and legs. It burnt deeply into the flesh, and also set up poisoning. Air Barnett was in bed for three weeks under medical treatment, and especially during the first week or two lie suffered very severely from the pain of the burns. The Schvyn Timber Company, it is reported, has just completed a large new mill at Mangatapu, about four or five miles from Putaruru. It is fully equipped with modern machinery, and its output capacity is over 20,000 feet of sawn timber per day. Also, Air K. S. Cox’s mill at Orongorongo, on the T.T.T. Company’s line is now nearing completion, together with the siding into it, and it is expected that it will he working shortly after Christmas. The secretary, Mr C. G. Alcorn, reported to the last meeting of the Putaruru branch of the Farmers’ Union that returned soldiers on national endowment land could now get the freehold of their sections by paying five per cent of the value thereof and paying off the remainder in equal instalments throughout 19 years. Also, the privilege of getting the freehold of L.I.P. land had been extended for another five years to all those holding such land. In regard to hydro-electrical power from Horahora, it was stated at last Saturday afternoons’ meeting of the Putaruru branch of tho Farmers’ Union, in reply to a question that those who first ordered the poles for taking the wire from their boundaries to their houses and sheds would first get the power. In the case of those who had signed applications for the power, tho board could ascertain from their application forms the number of poles each would require, so it would not altogether be necessary for the applicant to ascertain the number before sending tbe order for them to the board. •$