COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LI, Issue 15626, 4 June 1914, Page 4

COUNTRY NEWS.

[FROK ■ dub OWN couasroNsnnfl.]. -* TE ; AWAMUTtt' ■ . FARMERS' UfclON. ; .Tie -second annual meeting of {he Pirongia branch of the New."Zealand Farmers' Union was ' held oh' Thursday evening. The r annual report 'stateoV thai, although the branch. had,not been supported as it should ..have been, •'■ the .'few members who had attended the meetings h-jd managed to accomplish a little. Among other things,. they -had -been instrumental in having two Justices of. the peace appointed in the district, one of whom was Mr. J. t.■• Johnson, and the. other Mr. W. 6. Moon, and . also'in getting an area of .6000 acres'of the northern slope of the Pirongia Mountain set aside as a reserve for scenic and. catchment purposes. . The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows President, Mr. J. T. Johnson (re-elected),' vice-presidents, Messrs. A. E. Fear, I. D. Parsons, T. Dent,*and C. Given; secretary and treasurer, Mr. G. Finn; auditor, Mr. W. G. Moon; committee, Messrs. W. Beet. W. Mahood, J. Papesch, and T. Secoombe. A resolution was passed, instructing the secretary to write to the New Zealand Dairy Association! and 1 also to the Farmers' Union Trading Association, asking if it would be possible for them to pool their orders for < superphosphates with those of other farmers' co-operative organisations to secure the concession mentioned by Mr. G. M. •.Thompson, M.P. *

The general opinion was expressed that tho farmers of the Waikato were not securing as good a price for their dairy produce as obtained in Taranaki. and a committee was set up to go into tho question with a view to united action in the matter.

NGARDAWAHIA.

NTERESTING ADDRESS TO FARMERS. The annual re-union of the Horotiu ranch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union was hold on Friday last, and proved tho most successful social function that has taken place in Horotiu for some years: M:. R. D. Duxfield, president of the branch,' presided. Among thoso present was Mr. R. F. Bollard, M.P. CBlled upon to address the-gathering, the vice-president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union (Mr. A. Ross) paid a high tribute to the work done by Mr. Schmitt> who, ho said, had worked uight and day in the interests of tho union. Speaking on union matters generally, Mr. Ross said that the- union was a most important' body, and it was essential that all its branches should bo kept thoroughly alive. Farmers were realising that tlioy could, no idngor confine themselves to the boundaries of their own farms. They must interest themselves in great matters of public policy. If they did not do this, the control of the country's affairs. would get into hands which were, perhaps,- not quite so stablo as those of the farmers. There was, at least in some places, an impression abroad that the union was a friend of Jho "big man." This idea was entirely erroneous. The " big man " might have as much land *, would provide farms for 20 or. 30 small farmers, and this was not a good, state of affairs. ' The aim of this country, said the speaker, should be to build up a system of small holdings, where every farmer had his small holding as a freehold property. Not until this was accomplished would they have an ideal State. . (Applause.) The co-operative dairies, freezing works, auctioneering companies, and the Farmers' Trading Association", had taught tho small farmer that by co-operation he could buy and sell on equal terms with the wealthy man. The Farmers' Union was not concerned with party politics. This, however, did , not prevent.them rum., being interested in politics. They had principles at stoke. He considered that the fanners wore too important' a' br*dy to! attach theihselvcs to any -political party,. They. should realise that they were.. the. great producers. He was sure ■ that they would become the power in the strenuous time ahead. Hut their energies must not be misguided. They must' have a regard for all sections the community. "If they did this, there '.was a ' long- career /before' them. 'Applause.) ; The attendance at the concert and-sub-sequent dance was a record one, there being two hundred' people, present, including a large number from Ngaruawahia, and also visitors from Tanpirk TeKowhai, and even further afield. . The recent amalgamation witt Auckland Freezing Company has greatly increased its sujyort from local farmers. I Since that event took place one man subscribed £500 worth of shares, another £250, and several £40 and £50. The works are to be ready by January 1, 1916, and are expected to be of considerable commercial. advantage to the nearest town, Ngaruawahia.

CLEVEDON. AN ACTIVE COMMUNITY. , A special general meeting of the Clevodon A. and P. Association was held in the hall on Tuesday for the purpose of receiving remits to be brought before the Council of Agriculture, that will meet during July at Wellington.. After discussion it was decided to send two remits dealing with land agents' commission and phosphatic rock development. It was also arranged that the' general, committee and all members interested should meet on the show grounds oh June 6. to lay out the grounds and arrange for the necessary fixtures required for future shows. 'The Central Committee of the Clevedon -private telephone has decided to connect" the C.S.N. Company's machine with the switching line in the township; thereby giving subscribers direct communication with the wharf through one switching station only, and also to have a distinctive ring, for same, enabling members to ring ripht through. The Clevedon South Private Telephone Society has decided to increase the limit number of subscribers to 23.

Tho Panakura senior football team played Wairoa at Clevedon on Saturday, the ; game resulting in Wairoa 22, Papaknra nil. The Wairoa juniors travelled to Papakura and won by 7 to 3. The Basketball Club had a good meeting on Saturday, and some close games were plaved, the reds winning by one point. At the examination in music in Auckland last week several Clevedon pupils, under the tuition of Mrs. C Dennis," acquitted themselves very creditably. Hockey is a new form of sport locally introduced into the school games, and the Mataitai School will meet Clevedon on the school grounds to celebrate the holiday for the King's birthday. An unusually large pnriri tree' has lately been felled in the standing bush in the Maraetai district. It is in excellent condition, and is expected to split up into 600 posts, or possibly more, a valuable asset to any farm. The annual military ball of the B Squadron, 3rd (Auckland) Mounted Rifles, will be held on June 5 in the Public Hall, Clevedon. Music will be supplied by members of the Regimental Band.

ROTORUA. HEALTH SOCIETY. The annual meeting of tho Rotorua branch of the Society for the Promotion of Health of Women and Children was held on Thursday, Archdeacon Tisdall presiding. The statement of accounts for the neriod from August 20, 1913, 'to March 31, 1914, showed receipts totalling £280 19s 3d, including balance in hand £72 6s 2d, • donations and subscriptions £16 4s 6d, and the WaiKato Hospital Board payment, with subsidy. £194 3s' lid. The expenditure amounted to £103, 14s lid. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted as follows President, Mrs.. D. Hird; vice-presidents, Mesdames H. T. Peat, H. Bertram, .W. Kibblewliite, and C, M. Innes; honorary Mrs. yf, Hill (re-elected); ho*

orary secretary, Mrs. G.. Skene Dixon (r«W elected .j advisory board; Revs.' D -ift&ifl and H. T. Peat Captain'Hawkins (Sal a tor,, Scott, Watson, . and'BobeS Messrs, W. Hill, G. G Skene. i : Dixon; eeneraY £,JZ%i Uv;<; Dyer, G. Urquharti E. Robertebn J M Warn; J. Goodson, B. E. Real* C «» W.E..Bennett ;F. A. SS'tj' Danneford.T.'.Sldane, E. Share* ■IS fialkett.-E. Dyson, R. B. S J ■ Steele, B. Miller, D. Sheriff, Q. Sow a ? N Boss C. H. C. Worthington Tt II ?l erts T G, w cl,a w d H Ca^> J - »■ m": ■ Lean, J. W. Wngley Murray. W. J .'-%-; Young, Miss Pownall, and Nurse HainW - : •&' At Rugby on Saturday Whakarewarewa '% beat Waikite in the senior grade bv 10 'M point* to 8 and Kahukura had an easv ' m victory over Rimu, winning by 20 poinW -1 mv. 3, i In the junior grade Waikite beat *i Whaka by 6 points to 5, and the Kami- " kura-Rimu game resulted in a win for the ' } i former by a penalty goal. At Leagua | the Tukapa-Albion match resulted in a s draw, each scoring 8 points, ' | At the Magistrate's Court on Tuesday two 1 local residents wero each fined £1 and costs for fishing in one of the laKes with v out a rod. The following committee has been .set! ' up to form a local section of the Publio Service Association :—Messrs. C. V. ' Roberts (Justice Department). W. Hill (Tourist Department), F. Moorhonse n < ternal Affairs), W. Montgomery (State Nurseries), J. Rosser (Tourist' Depart- ' ment). J. Halkett (Tourist Department), W. Watson (Tourist Department), D. E,< Beal (Tourist Department}, Mr. D. U. ' : I Jervis was elected secretary.'

CAMBRIDGE.

MAGISTRATE'S COURT. The monthly sitting of the Magistrate's ' Court was held on Tuesday. Cases under the Noxious Weeds Act were brought by Inspector McPhio, against Jno. Stirling,. 'i of Kaipaki, and Wm. Death, of Rukuhia! \ The former case was adjourned, but in the latter a fine of 10s and 14s 6d costs V : was imposed. •.; Failure to comply with an order of the \ Court for payment of maintenance in re. •& sped of his illegitimate child, resulted in | Allan Strawbridge being sentenced to one) -i- M month's imprisonment, release to bu -| granted upon payment of the arrears, , ,-f amounting to £23 lis. '■;: Judgment for plaintiff by default was'"' ' | entered in the following cases:—MataV""' .? mata County Council v. S. B. Hurd, £5' ;| 14s 7d; same v. J. C. Thompson, £1017s ■-.■ % 8d; T. Richards v. S. Brown, £14 9s Bd. '• :" 1

WAIHI. SCHOOL AFFAIRS. A meeting of the Waihi Schools Committee was hold on Tuesday night Mr. A, Taylor presiding. It was 'decided to ask the Board of Education to appoint an assistant in place of two pupil teachers, the feeling of the committee being that four pupil teachers instead of two pupil teachers and a qualified assistant 'was not in the best interests of the school. Miss W. B. Robertson, of the Sigh School, having been granted three months' leave of absence, the Education Board advised that Miss Howard had been appointed as relieving assistant. Account* amounting to about £54 were passed for payment.

THAMES.

PROPOSED FERRY. The commissioner (Mr. Shortt) ap. • pointed by the Public Works Department to decide on the most suitable site for the , * ferry across the Thames River to connect with the Hauraki Plains opened his' inquiry on Monday. Air. Hogbtn appeared on behalf of the Thames County Council, and Mr. Mom * esby for the Borough Council. _Mr. New-sham, of the Orongo Estate, in v his evidence, strongly advocated the Kopu > .! site, arid a movable ferry, propelled W. ' v ' an oil engine, as the most suitable and ,'■? most convenient for the settlers on the>. .' Hauraki : Plains. The president of tho'*''• Settlers' . Association . (Mr. Buchanan)?: • •was omphatic in his advocacy of ffioirj * Kopu site. v ■.;•- \ ••:-!;•' ' 'xhe sitting was continued on Tuesday, s% and further evidenco was given by a num?.. ber of settlers from .the Hauraki Plains,- 7 all. of whom were very definite in their"; . opinion that the Kqpu rite was the mosi.-; * ! suitable. It was conveniently situated for'' V ; the settlers on the plains as it would give' - '' tho most direct access to tfio railway .■"'■? lion and creamery at Kopu, and also to <• tho town of Thames. • It was further stated- V~# that Pipiroa was the best site for a bridge oyer the Piako River, as it would suit the settlers between the Piako and' Waitakaniru. The 'sitting was ad- ■ • journed until the end of tho month to ■ allow the commißoioner to transact other pressing business at Wellington.

PAPAKURA. SERVICE OP SONG. A large.audience attended the Methodist Chapel last Friday evening when a service of song, entitled "Singing Jim,'' was rendered by a choir of 30 voices. A' cumber of friends from Otahuhu were prosent to assist the local choir. The Rev. W. S. Potter read the story in an impressive manner, while the musical portions were highly appreciated by all present. After the meeting the visiters were entertained.