WAIPUKURAU.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1717, 25 January 1905, Page 25

WAIPUKURAU.

(From Our Own Correspondent.)

A special meeting 0 f the Hawke’s Bay Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held at Waipukurau on the 11th inst. There were present: Mr A. H. Buss 11 (chairman), and th© following delegates: Messrs D. Canning and J. A. lierr (Hastings), H. M. Sanders and W. Connor (Takapau), J. Duncan (Elsthorpe), S. Brabazon (N-orsewood), D. H. Potts (, Waipukurau), G. A. Hooper-Smith and G. J. Buchanan (VVaitahora), J. Peters (Ngapa •ururu), L. G. Cross and J. Franklin (Weber), \Y. Knight and G. C. Crossar (Tikokino), and R. H. Tod (Kaikora). The chair, an explained the object of this special meeting, which was to consider a circular from the president of the Union (Mr Jas. G. Wilson), that urged, as a Royal Comm ssicn was about to be appointed to inquire into the land question, it would be advisable for each branch of the Union to arrange before that those persons who living in the neighbourhood of land, and having a knowledge of the subject and the wishes of the people, should give evidence before the Coi m ssion. Personally he was of opinion iliac they should simply take steps to emu re satisfactory and genuineevidence being given, and evidence that would show the true feeling and wishes of the people. The meecing went into committee and discussed the matter, and the delegates generally stated that their branches were in favour of freehold or leasehold being optional, and details for carrying out the matter of obtaining satisfactory evidence at the Commission were arranged. It was also decided to circulate for signature a petit.-on in favour of Grown tenants being allowed the option of purchasing the freehold, subject to such conditions as Parliament sees fit to impose, Mr Potts brought up the question of the Government’s action in stopping the erection of bone sterilising works at the Bluff and Auckland. He read a letter from Mr Gilruth, in which that gentleman stated that bonedust could be sterilised with only a slight depreciation in its 'fertilising qualit es. Mr D. Canning read a report of the speech made by Mr .T. Ueatson at the meeting of the Hastings branch in order to explain the position which that body had taken up. They had fully realised that anthrax was a deadly and dangerous disease, and were of op nion that the only effective means would be to prohibit the importation 01 bones and bon -dust altogether, and a more practicable view the question,

than to ask the Government to erect sterilising works. The chairman said that Mr Gbilruth urged that it the im-por-iat on of bonedust was to be continued it was absolutely necessary that it should be sterili-ed. He was in favour of prohibiting the importation. Works for sterilising would cost in the region of JMd.OOO. Mr Hrodie, veterinary tit. geon to the Hawke’s Bay branch of the Un on, gave an account of the spivad of anthrax in England and the steps taken to cope with it, and considered that it would bc> best to keep it out of the country altogether. The chairman moved that the whole question of preventing ant hi ax be referred again to the \ olonuti Executive, Mr Beatson’s reasons for supporting the Government's actions to be forwarded, and Mr Gilruth to be asked to aUeud tiie meet.ng of the Executive to give further practical information. Mr 11. M. Sana rs moved, as an amendment, ’’That tlie Colonial Executive be asked to urge that the importation of boned u&t be pi ohibii. d altogether.’ The amend.non i * was negative..., and the motion cnrr.cd. Mr D. To.to gave a brief aceotini of the proceeding's at iiie ft cent; coniei ej.ee in Oirrisvehurch. He considered that Uie iarmors’ Union was being well isuppotued

in the isouth. The chairman retei red to what had been done with the ebjec-t of carrying out the propo-al io cstab.ieh a syste . of technical ogncultural instruction in the public scho Is. Some of the- local bodies were def ei ring -assistance until, a detinue ischemo was laid before them. A meeting ct especial interest to Volunteers in tiie district was held here last Wednesday evening. • t was promoted by Messrs McKay and E. bailey With a view of forming a troop •>f mounted rifles in the surrounding district. Captain A. if. Russ oil, captain commanding the Hawke’s Bay Mounted R-tfles, occupied the chair. The following motion was carried unanimously: “That a corps to be called the Waipukurau troop of the Hawke’s Bay Mounted Rifles be formed, its headquarters to bo at Waipukurau.’’ Lieutenant Canning wars elected officer in charge of the troop, and in returning thanks tor his election, assured ms supporters that he would endeavour to promote the best interests oi tlie corps and wished them every success, Upon a call for t hose willing to volunteer about thirty of those present handed m their names. The chairman stated that the members of the new troop would be eligible to shot for the exist.ng trophies—the cha pion belt, the Champers shield, the Wlbte-Muckay cup, and the cup given by Mr G. 3 > . Do nelly.