WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9491, 9 October 1889, Page 6

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

[FROM OUR OWN CORRKSPONDKXT.I Cambridge, Tuesday. Tite usual monthly meeting of the above club was held at their rooms last night. Present: Messrs. G. E. Clark (chairman), J. Fisher (vice-chairman), J. Forrest, F. Hicks, E. Allen, T. Wells, Vosper, R. Fisher, T. W. Hicks, Anderson. Seven new members were proposed, and duly elected. The secretary having written to the farmers' clubs and stock agents on the West Coast, inviting their co-operation in the matter of holding one fat stock sale only each week, replies were received from £gmont and Hawera Clubs, and some of the stock agents, the general tenor oflthe replies being unfavourable to the club's object. Mr. Gaibraith, of Auckland, having been asked for quotations for making analyses of manures and soils, wrote, giving a price for analysing manures, and added some valuable information re the analysis of soils. A letter was read from Mr. James Runciman re selling fat stock by weight, but the present time was considered inopportune to start an agitation in favour of selling stock by weight. Messrs. Hurst and Co. wrote offering the use of a room iii Auckland for a corn exchange, where samples of Waikato wheat could be placed on view. The offer was received with thanks, but it was decided not to avail themselves of it this season. The chairman and vicechairman were delegated to attend a meeting to be held at Hamilton on 23rd October, to consider the question of railway reform. Archdeacon Willis wrote expressing the deep interest he felt in the subject of railway reform, and offering to give any assistance in his power. He also enclosed a letter from Mr. S. Vaile, which was read to the meeting. The report of the committee meeting hold on September 14th was brought up, and the set of resolutions embodied therein on the subject of railway freights, etc., were unanimously adopted bv the club. The Chairman stated that Mr. Westney had drawn his attention to the length of time often occupied in the transit of stock to Auckland. Instances were cited where stock which left Cambridge at 8.20 did not reach Auckland till after 6 o'clock. The clerk was instructed to write to District Traffic Manager, drawing his attention to the subject. Mr. Forrest brought forward his notice of motion re agricultural college for Waikato. After detailing what had already been done in this matter, he proceeded to read some extracts from the commission appointed to inquire into the working of the Lincoln Agricultural College in Canterbury, from which he gathered that the establishment of a similar college here would not be desirable. He proposed, " That, in the opinion of this club, it is not desirable at present to establish an agricultural college in Waikato, on account of the heavy expense such would en toil." This was seconded by Mr. Wells, and the further discussion "of the matter was adjourned till the next meeting. Captain Souter mentioned that Professor Thomas lectured to the teachers of the Auckland schools_ on agricultural chemistry, and said that it would be!a great boon if the Professor could be got to deliver lectures to the Waikato teachers and farmers. It was resolved that the Colonial Secretary be written to, asking him to arrange with Professor Thomas, or some other expert, to give a course of lectures on agricultural matters, under the auspices of the club. According to announcement, Mr. F. Hicks read his promised paper on " Meat Freezing in Auckland." The paper was attentively listened to, and at its conclusion Mr. Hicks emphasised the point that Waikato is always in a position to bring supplies from Hawke's Bay at the very time when the owners are most inclined to sell. This he ascribed to the fact that Waikato can grow any quantity of turnips for feeding off, which can be relied upon as an almost absolute certainty. On the other hand, at this time of the year, on account of the drought which often visits Hawke's Bay, breeders there are disposed to part with their surplus stock, rather than run the risk of keeping them through the summer. The clerk was instructed to write to Messrs. Nelson Bros., Hastings, Hawke's Bay, asking them on what terms they would erect freezing works in Waikato. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Hicks for his admirable paper, the subject dealt with bein<* considered of infinite importance to the district. On account of the lateness of the hour the further discussion oil this subject was adjourned. 'The Chairman introduced the subject of disposal of the Waikato wheat, and asked that some member would undertake at next meeting to give a paper on the subject. He said the point was whether the Waikato farmers should grow a wheat which did not suit them in order to suit the Auckland millers, or whether the millers should make their machinery suit the Waikato grain. No one volunteering to read a paper on the subject, the Chairman undertook to bring the matter up himself. Mr. Forrest said that the bakers declared that no flour which they had used for a number of years past gave such good results as that made from Waikato wheat. There were two courses open to the Waikato farmers, namely, to grist their wheat and ferce the same on the Auckland and Waikato markets, or to ship it away. This subject will be further discussed at next meeting, when it is expected that some definite plan will be submitted for dealing with the wheat still on harfd. A few accounts were passed, and the meeting closed.