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Otago Witness, Issue 2516, 4 June 1902, Page 19

■subjects foi next meeting will be a paper on "The Advantages of a Decimal or Metric System of Current Money. Weights, and Measures Throughout the British Empire," by Sir H. Smith, and a reading by Mr Perkins on "The Deepening and Stirring of Soil." ■ The annual meeting of the Milton branch ©f the New Zealand Farmers' Union took place on the 27th ult., Mr J. Tough (president) in the chair. The report and balance sheet were read by the secretary. The T«port stated that the Tokomairiro branch was formed by Mr Glass on August 23 last. A strong canvassing committee was appointed at the time, and as a result of a systematic canvass the membership mow Stands at 206 working and 16 honorary members — the largest in the Otago Province. There is a credit balance of £2 8s 3d to start the new year. The report and balance sheet were adopted. — Mr Tough having declined to again stand for the presidentship, Mr James Allison was unanimously elected president for the enusing year. — Mr D. Reid said they would be lacking in duty if they did not; express their appreciation of Mr Tough's valued services as president during the past year. He moved that expression of their appreciation of the services their retiring president had rendered to the union he recorded in the minutes. — Mr Martin seconded the motion, which was carried. Mr Tough in returning thanks for the eompliqpient paid him, reiterated his intention to do his utmost to advance the interests of the society. — The appointment of canvassers to 'enrol eligibje members was discussed. Mr Martin eaid there was no reason why the membership should not be 306 or 406 instead &l 206 as at present. After some discussion at was agreed that applications should be called for the position of canvasser, at a, remuneration to be fixed by the committee. was agreed that those delegates who attended the executive meetings in Dunedin be paid their actual travelling expenses.—At the close of the meeting the newly-elected president invited those present to be his guests, and speeches, toasts, eongs, and recitations whiled away a very pleasant liour. BLENHEIM, May 31. The complete formation of the Marlborough provincial branch of the Farmers' .Union was effected to-day, when the Central Executive for the whole district was appointed, and resolutions on various national and local subiects passed for submission to the Colonial Conference at Wellington in July. A public meeting held subsequently was of a representative and .successful character. Mr Glass the organising secretary, who has been working up the district, said that at the outset- he "met with considerable indifference here, but the fallacy as to the political character of the union .had been exploded, and the movement was catching on.