NGAPARA FARMERS' CLUB.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 1178, 26 January 1880, Page 2

NGAPARA FARMERS' CLUB.

(FKOM oxm OWN COItUESPONDENT.) The second meeting of the Ngapara Farmers' Club was held in the Schoolhouse, Ngap'ara, on Saturday evening last, and was very fairly attended. Mr. A Murdoch having been called to the chair, the question of office bearers for the ensuing twelve months was discussed, and resulted in Mr. Murdoch being elected President, Mr. Edward Conlan Treasurer, and Mr. Thomas Little Secretary. The questions of entrance fee and subscriptions being amicably settled, a member wished to know if the office of Secretary was to be a paid office, and it was decided that no bonus be given to the Secretary for the first six months, but afterwards, if the Club flourishes, and funds permit, he will be paid accordingly, the amount to be decided at the first halfyearly meeting. The Secretary was instructed to get the necessary books, &c., and also—as no reply had been received from the Milton Club up to the present—with the assistance of two or three other members to draw up a draft code of rules and regulations, to be submitted to the next general meeting. A little animated discussion then took place with reference to the long-talked-of Ngapara cattle yards, the action of the railway authorities in putting one at Corriedale and leaving Ngapara outside being freely commented upon. A long talk, in which everyone joined ultimately formed itself into a proposition by Mr. J. Conlan, which was seconded by Mr. W. Hay, that the Secretary be instructed to write to the traffic manager to ascertain what steps, if any, have been taken in the matter, and failing a satisfactory reply, that a deputation be appointed to wait on the Hon. Minister for Public Works on his return from Dunedin, and endeavor to get the wishes of the farming community consummated. The question of prices obtained for produce, &c., was then brought up for discussion, one member pointing out the loss they sustained by disposing of their grain to the merchants here, the prices at Home being sufficient to pay for freight, time, and trouble in sending, &c., and leaving a very good surplus over the prices that can be obtained here after everything is paid. It was, however, decided that the Secretary write and get all the reliable information possible as to rates of freight, insurance, and all incidental expenses, with the ultimate view of sending all produce to the best markets, provided the merchants are not willing to comply with the growers' demands, and give a fair price for their labor. After some little matters of no importance had been got through, the meeting adjourned until Saturday next, 31st inst., which will ,be the last of the preliminary meetings, and after that the Club will meet regularly once a month.