The Auckland Gumdiggers’ Union.

Northland Age, Volume IV, Issue 46, 6 July 1908, Page 4

The Auckland Gumdiggers’ Union.

The monthly meeting of the above Union was held at Ruakaka on June 27, 1908. The President (Mr. Ernest McDougall) occupied the chair.

The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed, and three new members were enrolled.

The Treasurer (Mr. Robert H. Black) read the report and the Quarterly Statement of Accounts from the various branches, for the quarter ended May 31, 1908, and mentioned that with the exception of the Waiharara sub-branch they were all working satisfactorily. The 25 per cent, of entrance fees and subscriptions and the price of rule books remitted from branches to head office account amounted to £2 3/2, The balances in hand from all branches totalled £26 4/5.

The head office account having'a debit balance of £T 14/7A shows that the slump in the kauri gum market has stopped subscriptions from coming in to the branches.

Mr. Thos. Clay ton-Jones moved the report and adoption of the Quarterly Statement of Accounts of the following branches: Waipu, Waihopo, Ruakaka and Otaika ; the Waiharara Sub-Branch’s affairs being held over for further discussion.

The Secretary was directed to send a copy of resolution 10, passed at the Conference on March 20, 1907, to the Hon. the Minister for Labour. This reads: “ That all gum rangers he appointed by the Commissioner of Crown Lands and that the appointments be made from the ranks of the gumdiggers who will see that the Act is carried out.” The Hon. Minister to be asked to have this resolution inserted as an amendment to the Act this session of Parliament. A letter was read from Mr. John C. Johnson. Opposition nominee for the Bay of Islands electorate. The letter was, received, the Secretary being instructed to write a suitable reply. Ollier business of minor importance was discussed. The next monthly meeting will be held on July 25, 1908.—(A conespondent). Waipu, 30/6/08.