POHANGINA.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVI, Issue 109, 8 April 1936, Page 10

POHANGINA.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) POHANGINA, April 7. The monthly meeting ol the Ponangnia Valley branch of the . Amalgamated Farmers and Hairy Fanners’ Union was heid at Raumai on Saturday evening, Mr J. D. Banner presiding over a good attendance. A letter was received lrwn the Wellington provincial executive advising that tile annual shooting match would bo fired on Wednesday April 15, or Saturday, April 15. It was decided to enter a team tor the contest, and the secretary was instructed to write lor fuller particulars. A letter was also received from the Department ol Agriculture regarding wild bees, suggesting that every memuer of the Union bo requested to immediately communicate with tne apiary instructor at Fannerston North whenever a wild hive was noticed in a tree, stump, or other undesirable location, it was emphasised that, should a farmer discover a wild hive on his property, notification of the fact did not imply that ho would not be allowed to keep the boes, which wore, of course, his property, and might be transferred into standard frame hives if so desired. All that was hoped for was that each farmer would communicate with the instructor as requested, when arrangements would bo made to destroy the hive if it was not required. If the farmer decided to hive the bees opportunity would bo given him to register the hive and have access to any lioip and advice it might ho within the power of the department to give him. The secretary (Mr J. Rovvbotham) explained that the reason for the request was that the existence of wild hives had become a lively source of danger, in that they might contract disease and die,, thus allowjng the bees from adjacent hives to rob the contaminated honey and bring disease into thou’ own hives. Foul-brood was as big a menace to the bee keeping industry, as foot-and-mouth disease was to tho stock owner. The executive considered the matter to bo of great, importance and the members were asked to tako steps that would be of material benefit to a growing ancl promising industry. The secretary of the Wellington' executive wrote informing tho branch that, the remit, “that provision be niado for absentee votes at local body elections,” had boon approved by tho executive, and had boon forwarded to the responsible authorities. It was decided that, in future, branch meetings would bo lieln on the second Saturday of each month, and the secretary was instructed to asccr tain if the report of (he executive committee would bo available by that day. The following remit to the executive was passed: “That arrangements be made with rural exchanges whereby telephone communication be made available for urgent calls at all hours, and that an adequate penal rate be charged to avoid abuse of the privilege,”' A further remit, “that increased facilities be given for installing telephones in country districts, and that tho annual charge of 20 per cent on the cost of erecting country lines is excessive,” was carried. In a third remit, the branch asked tho executive to consider the advisability of a national inspection of dairy herds for tuberculosis. It was decided to arrange a lecture on pigs Or a field day and demonstration on pigs, and to invite Mr E. P. Nielsen, recording officer of tho Manawatu Pig Recording Club, to attend. A large party of local residents paid a surprise visit, to Mr W. Manning with tho object of bidding him good-bye. Air Manning, who has been tho blacksmith here for about 55 years, is retiring from business and intends residing in Palmerston North. Tho evening passed pleasantly in music and song. Mr L. F. Hailand speaking on behalf of the gathering, wished Mr Manning health and happiness in his retirement and asked him to accept a razor strop as a token of friendship and esteem. Air Alanning suitably replied, thanking the speaker and those present. Arrangements are well in hand for the annual Easter Afonday dance, which is held in aid of the Pohangina Hall funds. Always a popular function, this year’s event promises to bo in every way a worthy successor of previous successes”. Brarmvcll’s full orchestra has been engaged, and good trophies are offered for the novelty dances. Full details are advertised in this issue.