MANIOTOTO FARMERS' CLUB.

Mount Ida Chronicle, Volume 28, Issue 1431, 3 April 1897, Page 4

MANIOTOTO FARMERS' CLUB.

AIJINUAL MEETING. The adjourned annual meeting of the :Maniototb Farmers' Club was held at Millar's Hotel, Eweburn, last Saturday, when there were present a larger number of members than usual. The President (Mr J. J. Ramsay) occupied the chair. The meeting had been called specially to discuss the club's position, and decide, whac should be done with ius finance. BALANCE-SHEET. The statement of the club's finances, read by the secretary, showed a credit balance of £>s 17s lOd. RECORD OF THE CLUB. The President, who announced his intention of sbvering his connection "with the club as he was about to leave the district, read the following short resume of the work dqne by the club since its inauguration as a farewell address. He apologised for its incompleteness as ha had not.had time to go through. the minutes, but; had tq depend upon memory :

" Gentlemen, —As I am now about to leave the Maniototo district and this is my last appearance as president of this club. I desire with your kind indulgence to. give you a brief resiirw of the woTk accomplished' by us during the past few years. of time has prevented me from dealing elaborately with the matter, but I hope to be able to show that the Maniototo Farmers' Club has been on the whole a li live " institution, able during its existence to accomplish some good work and help in promoting the weifare of this district.

" This club was formed in KTovemher, 1890, and the following gentlemen have occupied the position of president in the order named: —Mr John Law, senior. Gimmerbnrn; Mr James Howell, Hamiltons;" 'Mr "Robert Logan, Kyebnrn; and Mr 4. J. Bamsay, Hyde. " ' ' '' '•

•' Our first wort was to agitate fox'a- proper method of valuation of the Crown lands of this district prior to their proclamation' for sale or lease, and I think it must be' admitted that the values, of land have been made more uniform during the past, six years." My own ppinion is that even now land is tg dear in this locality, but that "by. the way." I need hardly remind members of the good work done by this club during the first two years of its existence in connection with the opening of certain blocks of land.' It will also be remembered that owing to our exertions the Government were induced to sink an artesian well, an experiment which was, I regret to say. unsuccessful. We were also able to have pstablished at Naseby a branch, office for legislation of brand*; .-$1 we have sucpeeded after considerable ipubic, and many refusals in inducing the Government to abolish the obnoxious branch rates which were for a time charged on the Otago Central Railway. Early in our career we asked the Government to set aside as a Recreation Keserve the Taieri Lake Island, and some two years ago that request was granted, and the reserve, now vested in a local Domain Board, is let and being improved. A more efficient mail service has through our. exertions been established on the plain, and many other advantages secured to, the district. Add to this the fact that the club has always, been an official body representative of the farmers of this district, and recognised as such, and I think it must be admitted that the work accomplished by the Maniptpto Farmers' Club during the six years of its existence is a record we need not be ashamed of and a proof that such an institution as this can do a- great deal for the district it represents. " It has been asserted that the political discussions which' took place at this table damaged the club, but I do not think that assertion is borne oat by facts, because it must be admitted that during the " political period" the club" was" more 'thoroughly " alive " than at any other time whilst the interest taken in its proceedings both inside the club and outside was never greater than then, and I am not at all sure that a little political discission at the present time would in any way injure the club ; indeed, I am of ppinion that farmers would' dp well to. carefully watch present political movements because it seems to me that at no period of New Zealand's history was there more need for honest candid criticism of political questhan at the present moment when the air is full of all sorts of rumours, of bank transactions and other matters seriously affecting the welfare of the toilers of this pplpny of- -which the farmers form no inconr siderable portion. " It seems to me, gentlemen, a great pity that you should allow this club to die.' Had I remained amongst you it would have been my endeavanrto help to keep the thing alive, butl regret to say that I am going to leave you. My ponnection with you has been a pleasant pne, and you have in many ways been very kind to me. You did me the honour of elect-: ing me your first secretary, and have fleeted me to o.ther positions, includincr that which I now occupy.' I Tegret to say that during the past year I have been unable to devote as much time to your interests as I could have desired, but I can assure you the interests o.f Central Otago have always been my interests because I have grown from boyhood to man T hood amongst you, fought my battles and made my friends here, and received nothing but kindness at your hands,. One cannot say what the future may have in store for any of us, and whether I shall ever move amongst you again or not; but whether Ido or not, believe me Central Otago will always have a warm corner in my heart, and I will often think of the Maniotbto Farmers' Cluq and its pleva"t associations. "Before concluding, I must refer to the attention paid to this club by The Moust li>a. Chboxiole, and speaking personally, [ must pay my own little tribute of praise to that paper. ' Qf course the Chronicle is not' infallible, hut neither is the Maniototo Farmers' Club, and although that paper has often given some of us. myself especially, some bard knocks I think on the whole we have reason to be proud of our local press and to congratulate ourselves qn having such a paper to represent us. For my own part my earliest lucubrations were published by The C'hbon'tcle and my training as a public man commenced in that way, sn I cannot let this occasion pass without referring to the good pqints of The Mount Ida Chkoxicle and congratulating it on the good service it has rendered to. this district.

Asr Ryder expressed his regret at Mr Ramsay's loss as he had "been a piost; active worker in the club, and he thought they should place on record in the minutes o£ the club their regret. Unless he intended going out of (itago he hqped he would not sever his connection ' with fliem entirely, and he would be in favour of electing"him a honorary member of the club f..r life. The club owed him a great deal. He ■was sjorry that Mr Ramsay, had not had time tq go, more lengthily into the transactions of the club, as the minute book contained a great deal of interest to farmers in Maniototo. With regard %o fhe club dealing with political questions, ho thought politics were p;irt qf the affiirs of tho club, but personal and party politics were apt to raise a good deal of feeling. He fully endorsed Mr Ramsay's remarks in connection with The G'hroxiclk, and ho thought the warmest thanks of the club were due that paper, tjo far as th» existence of the club was concerned, it would be a great pity to allow it to falj through. Tho meetings, were larger when hold at tho different cantres, and this might bo revested to, or th*y migjit form local committees which couid rfport to a central committee, and meetings couid than be j held as required. ' ' I

Mr John Law, sen., said perhaps j they should not say they were sorry for the loss pf their president, as it might he for his benefit to leave the ! district, ami he might find his proper sphere somewhere else, where, he would have a higher outlet for his talents and energies. He quite agreed ia electing him a honorary member, but there was nothing to prevent the club giving him something more tangible in remembrance of his connection with them. With regard to the'-paper. read by the president, it did nob cover half the ground traversed by the club. There was a great deal to be dqne in the immediate future, =wd he was quite prepared to assist in keeping the club going.

Mr J. J. Ramsay thanked them for their kind remarks. He was sorry to leave the district, bub he thought he was going to better himself by do.ing so, and he must study himself and his family. At th,e time of the last ujeetr ing of the club he had no intention of leaving. A few days ago a man had asked him to place a value qn his property. He did so and it was accepted, the whole business being done in a couple of days. He knew he had made some enemies in a public way, but did not think h,e has made any private ones, and he had made a great number P.? friends. It would take a lifetime in a new district to gather so many around him asjain. He hoped always ip. retain the friends he had made here, and that he would not go so far away but that he could see them occasionally.

Mr Howell suggested that before proceeding with apy other, business they should pa/=s a resolution to, the effept that the club be not wound up. Owing to, pressure of private business he had nqt attended the meetings or the club as a farmer should do, but he came there on that occasion principiilly to vote against any such course being adopted. He therefore moved—That consideration p,f the disposal of the club's funds and wiuding-rup be allowed co lapse, and the ordinary business o.f the annual meeting gone on with. Seconded by Mr. Chapman., and. carried unanimously. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr Law proposed, and Mr Howell seconded—That Mr Scott be elected president for the ensuing year.

Mr Scott, while expressing his sympathy with the objects of the club and his' willingness" to support it, declined to stand on the plea of want of time He moved as an amendment that Mr- Ryder, b.a elected to/ the position.

Mr W. Mawhinney seconded the amendment, and Mr. Rydec was. declared elected.

Mr Ramsay then vacated the chair, and Mr Ryder, in taking the position, thanked them for the compliment they had done him. He asked them all, not in a general way but personally and individually, to help to increase the value of the club and make it a live concern.

Mr Chapman moved That Mr Thos. Ramsay retain the secretaryship. Seconded by Mr Howell. Mr T. Ramsay thought the club would be better served by having a man in their midst to act as secretary, the distance he had to travel to get to the meetings—about 3Q miles—being too great fpr the proper carrying out of the business of the club. He proposed Mr James Hore for the position. Mr Howell, on consideration of Mr Ramsay's reasons for not desiring re? election, seconded Mr Jas. Hore's nomination.

Mr J. J. Ramsay said that the chairman and secretary would find it greatly to their own convenience that the secretary should merely keep the minutes while the president attended to the correspondence, as ho would often find it more convenient to do so than to communicate with the secretary.

As the club did nqt care to lose the services of Mr T. Ramsay, who had worked so efficiently on its behalf, the matter was compromised by re-electing him secretary and Mr Jas. Here assistant, on the motion of Alp Scott, seconded by Air Law, MINUTES, The minutes of the annual meeting held on Saturday, 27th February; 1897, were read and confirmed on the motion of Mr J, J. Ramsay, secondod by Mr Duncan. VALEDICTORY. Mr Law, as the first president of the society, had much pleasure* in proposing—That this meeting desires to place on record its sincere regret at the loss of Mr J. J. Ramsay's active connpction. with this club, and rp accord its most cordial thanks to Air Ramsay for Ins valuable services as the club's first secretary and subsequently as president. Further that Air Ramsay be hereby elected an honorary member of this club, with the club's best wishes for his future success and welfare. Seconded by Mr Eiowell (the secqnd president) and carried unanimously. Air Law then went on to say that it was a cold and formal thing to place on paper a motion. Considering the battles the club had to fight, they should show their appreciation of those who had prominently assisted in the past, and show that the world is not so cold and thankless as to altogether negloct its publio men. If a man began to think the public a hard taskmaster, he would commence to grind his own axe, so when they found a man who had no axo to grind they should show t}}eir genuine - goodwill. The time had now come to do so to their late president. Tlio question was allowed to stand over for consideration in the ordinary meeting.

ORDINARY MEETING. The minutes of the last ordinary meeting were read, ami confirmed on the motion of Mr Howell, seconded by Mr Chapman. riii:s!:.VTATiov to mk ramray. Tim question of a presenration to Mr Kavnsay war, then considered at length. Several thought the. club should head the list of subscribers, whih others .vo.re. of opinion that they should net appropriate its funds to such apurpos-. Eventually Mr Law moved That this club head the list with tivo guineas, and a oommitce-i bo appointed to take it F ou .fid ur !'! on X st ' tho farmer;; with iview

of raising funds to pivsent our retiring! secretary with a token of their esteem

Seconded bj Mr. W. Mawhinney, and carried. "

On the motion of Mr Scott, seconded by Mr ic was resolved that the presentation be made at a meetinc held in Naseby on Saturday, the 17th April, Mr Hqwell then moved—That the President, Messrs Scott, Law, Bleach, W. Mawhinney, Hore, Howell, Harris, Gprdon, W. J. Millar,K. Williamson, GkL. Stewart, J. Weir, W. Hall, sen., W. Hall, jun., and A. Pearson, with power to add to their' number, be ! appointed a cqmmittee to arrange a banquet and carry out the foregoing resolutions • that five members form a quorum ; and that the prudent of the club act as chairman of committee.

_ Seconded by Mr Chapman, and carried unanimously. BO.NOS TQ THE SECRETARY. Mr Howell said that as -the club was greatly indebted to Mr Thomas Ramsay, who had to. travel so far to attend the meetings, at a deal of expense and inconvenience to himself, he would move—That the sum of £2 10s be paid.to Ma- Tbos. Ramsay as a b,onus for his past services. Seconded by M r Shaw and carried. Mr Ramsay briefly returned thanks. He had performed the duties of secretary as he liked the work, and was gjad to assist the club in any way. CONCLUSION. In conclusiqn, the chairman thanked those present for their attendance, and thought the fact pf so many being present, and the interest taken in the discussions, augured well for the success p r f the club during the coming twelve months. The meeting' then terminated with the usual vote to the chair.