MAUNGAKARAMEA

Northern Advocate, 4 May 1932, Page 8

MAUNGAKARAMEA

(Frpm Our Own Correspondent.) N.Z. Fanners’ Union. A meetiuy of the branch was held on Saturday niyht in the Library. The following members were present: Alessrs F. Walker (president), A. .Babe, A. Allcock, T. o ’Carroll, W. Belfield, 0. Child, A. K. Valder, S. Walker, W. 11. Gillingham (secretary), also Air H. K. Hewlett, of Alata, president of the liuakaki branch of the N.Z.E.F. Before commencing the usual business, Mr Walker called on Air Hewlett, who is a candidate' for the Whangarci Harbour Board, to place his views before the meeting.

'Mr Hewlett, after remarking that 1) arbour board matters just nnw should Ik* of very great interest to the ratepayers, briefly traced the growth of tin; board from its inception. The loan of £1120,000 raised by the board had all been spent, together with the 1() per cent, totalling £12,000, allowed for contingencies. As far as he could see from the last balance sheet, the board’s income, about £13,000 per year, was only sufficient to pay interest and sinking fund on loans and the cost of maintenance of the harbour. This revenue was declining very rapidly, especially as regards the charges for. cement boats, the trade being practically at a standstill.. -Although ratepayers were distinctly and repeatedly told, when the loan was raised, that no rate would be collected, it was going to be ■extremely dillicult to avoid doing so. The chairman of the board had said lie had been shown plans of works for which shipping facilities should be 7>rovided, but the speaker thought a halt should be called, as there was very little prospect at present of any manufacturing concerns being started, With regard to the reclamation scheme, he thought it was in the main a good one, but he would not bo in favour of it unless the Government did the work and shouldered the whole expense. He considered it was very much on the same lines as the work done at Hanraki Plains. After referring to the Oncrahi and Xioreroa wharves, Mr Hewlett said there was the need for the. very strictest, economy in the future. The present position was that all the money was gone, and in a few weeks’ time there will be no wharf at all.

At the conclusion of his address, Mr Hewlett was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr O’Carroll, who said he wished more candidates for local body honours would address electors. The vote was carried bv acclamation.

The .Secretary of the Waikiekic branch wrote suggesting that a. combined meeting be held at Mangapai to hear an address on the Douglas Social Credit system. The matter was left to the delegates to the subprovincial conference to arrange for a meeting if possible.

As Mr G. Allcock was unable to attend the Ohaeawai conference, Mr F. Walker was appointed in his place.

The remits for the conference were then gone through, so that the delegates would know the opinion of the branch with regard to exercising their votes.

Mr O’Carroll, referring to the recent “Field Day” at the Puwera State Farm, said he was very much surprised to read in the press the remarks of the lecturer, Mr C. .7. Ham blyn, with regard to the use of lime, and considered it was in contradiction of previous lectures.

On the suggestion of Air o 'Carroll, the lists of candidates for the hospital board and harbour board elections wore gone through, and the names ■of those considered best selected. An much support for them as possible, endeavour will be made to obtain as Personal. Maungakaramea will be well represented at the Farmers’ Union conference at Ohaea.wai on Tuesday and Wednesday. The local branch delegates are Messrs F. Walker (president), W. H. Gillingham (secretary), and W. .Belflcld, while the "Women’s Division representatives will be Mrs T. Porter (president), Mrs W. IT. Gillingham (secretary) and Mosdames Harvey and F. Walker.