N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2578, 12 August 1903, Page 17

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

OTAC4O.

A meeting- of the Waikaka Valley branch was held on the 31et ult., when there were about 30 members and visitors present. Mr H. Smith presided, ilr D. Gille-spio read an article from the Live Stock Journal Almanac, 1903, by P. M-Connoll, E.Sc, F.G.S., on "Geology and Stock-bice-ding." A very interesting discussion followed. Mr G. Milnes (Waikoikoi) said that the subject was ors© which very few larmera Ha.a stuu*ea, but he had i loticed exactly what Mr M'Counell had written. The home in this country of the Border Leicester sheep, for instance, was in Southland, and Cantorbuiy brooders had to come to Southland periodically for circe of this breed. AVhen asked their reason, they did not give tho correct one, but tho fact was as he had stated, and he-al?o noticed tha-t there was a very material difference in the typo cf an'rnals reared on the limestone formation?* Mr G. P. Johnston said that the article read was a very instructive one. In travelling through New Zealand, Jio had noticed a marked difference in development and also in type, and he thought it would be well to continue the discussion, at a future meeting of the very interesting subject brought before them. Mr D. Gikhrist said that the theory of differences cf typo caused by different geological formations was new to him, but he had gome knowledgo of the geological formations in this country and in Britain, and these formations wo did now be of additional interest to him. There were a large number of different geological strata, in this country and in Britain — perhaps a few more in the Old Country — and- 'as there were a few different kindi of rock in Southland, it would not be difficult to get opportunities of studying the theory of diffeiencea of type caused by the nature of the surface soil or underlying rook. Mr A. M. Patereon, veterinarian to the union, said that Mr M'Conne!l was a practical tenant farmer, and had gone 'through the Agricultural College. The article read was of a more theoretical nature than the author was in the habit of teaching, although the subject was based on practical information and common knowledge. It wa,g x well established fact that everything was influenced by environment, which had been proved by transporting animals to localities very different from those in which they were found naturally. The article was a very suggestive one, and opened .up a wide field of observation. It was a practical benefit to know what breeds suited best for different localities, and that would be the practical outcome of tho article read. The Chairman moved a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Gillespie for reading such an interesting article. The motion was carried with applause. — The subjects for next meet'nig, to be held in September, will be papers on "Preferenti"l Trade and Meat Exportation," by Mr W. J. Johnston, and "Aids to the Acquirement of Veterinary Knowledge," by Mr D. Gilchrist.

At Wyndham, on the 3rd inst., Mr Pdterson, V.S., organising secretary of the Farmer •>' Union, was present at the meeting of tho local branch, when the chief matter of consideration was tho proposed Stud Bill. Mi Pater-ou read and explained the leading powits in connection with tho bill. Tho object of legislation on tho matter was to improve the breed of horses and to do away with the services of such horses as have dif eases oi unsound qualities that are hereditary. To prevent loss to owners who have gone to gTeat expense in the matter of procuring and breeding aniniaUs for stud purposes, a clause in the bill provided that animals foaled before 1901 will wot require to be certificated. In all other ea«es animals would have to bo examined by at least two veterinary surgeons, and those that passed were required to pay the fee for examination and then gpt a certificate fioir the Secretary for Agriculture licensing them, but where a hor,e was not licensed only part of the examination fee was oharged. In rejrard to this matter, after discussion it was decided by tho branch that all horses should be brought under the provisione of the law. It was ako decided that the ho&nse granted to any horse ahould not Only bear the signature of the Secretary for Agriculture, bxit also those of the examining vets. In reply .o a question as to whether there were not other diseases which were open to objection besides those mpntioned in tho Fchedule, 2>lt Paterson assured those present that the matter had been gone into so thoroughly by all the vets of the colony that every

precaution had been taken to include every diseaso that wculd bo detrimental. Mr Paterson then gave a minute and lucid -explanation cf the various dise-ases ro which horcafle^h is Kablo, such as bone spavin, r:ngbone,, si'U-b-ouc, eplints, navicular anthritis, roaring, Mid springhalt. At the eouolusion of his address, Mr Paters/on was warmly applauded, and a vote of thanks (proposed by she chairin'aa) was carried with acclamation. The Southland branch of the Farmers' Union is managed by an enorgetio and progressive executive. We have already noted the appointment of Mr Paterson as organising secretary and veterinarian. We have now received from Mr R. Allan, the secretary, particulars of the first series of lectures on agricultural science arranged for the benefit of members. Theee commenced on the 4th July, and are given at both Invercargill and Gore. Seven of the course of 14 lectures are given by Mr Paterson. and deal with the anatomy of farm animals, and with Sheaves and iheir cure. The other seven lectures are given by Mr F. W. Hilgendorf, science master in the Southland High Schools. Two deal with general chemistry, two with agricultural botany, and three" with agricultural chemistry. The branch has issued a leaflet to members in which ia set out the appointments of the veterinarian for two months. Members are thus mado aware of the date on which Mr Paterson will be in their district, and as he- is always two days in a township the secretary of the local branch is in a position to arrange a meeting for the second evening of his stay. In addition to this, members communicating with the general secretary can invariably be placed in telephonio communication with the veterinary, and should the case be of an urgent nature, and his engagements will permit, Mr PateTson will endeavour to attend such cases. It will thus be seen that farmers Who belong to the Southland Farmers' Union enjoy ' m?ny advantage's. A meeting of the Outram branch of tho New Zealand Farmers' Union was lield in the Societies' Hall, Outram, on the Ist inst., when there were preeent 17 members, Mr John Millar (president) being in tho chair. The annual balance sheet was read and adopted. Mr John Millar was re-elected [ president, and Mr James Buchanan vice- ' president. Mr John Grant was appointed secretary, and Mr Bramble auditor. The annual subscription was fixed at se. It was decided that quarterly meetings be .held at 2 p.m. on the following days: — 3rd October, 2nd January, 2nd April, and 2nd July, it being left in the hands of tho president and secretary to call meetings between those , dates when found necessary. Several other matterfi havincr been discussed, the meeting wos brought to a elcea with the usual vote of thanks to tho chair.

EAST TAIERI BRANCH. The adjourned annual meeting of members of the East Taieri branch of the New Zea'and Farmers' Union was held at Mostnel on Saturday evening, the president being in the chair. [ The following report was presented by i the eecretaiy: — "Your committee has to 1 report that during the year it has only held -one meeting, and also a general meeting to arrange about fire insurance. The j negotiations le the insurance feH through, ! and now tho union is asking the Government to bring in a bill giving the union power to form a mutual insurance company. The membership of the branch has fallen very considerably. The subscriptions amounted to £7 2s, out of which we paid £1 12s to the provincial executive and £1 5s to the secretary, leaviug a credit balance of £4 ss, out of which adveitieing expenses have to be paid." The report and balance sheet were adopted.

Mr Walter Blackio was unanimously elected as president of the branch for the ensuing year, and Mr John H. Allan was re-elected secretary.

The retiring members of committee were also re t-lectcd.

Tho Secretary of the Provincial Executive wrote stating that the president (Mr H. Buckland) and the treasurer (Mr D. Reid) had consented to endeavour tc address the brandies throughout the province. An the matters these gentlemen desired to bring before farmers were of the most weighty import, and vitally concerned the interests of all farmers, it was asked that the question should be dealt with without delay in order that arrangements cculd be made for the proposed address at a suitable centre in the district. — The meeting was very iinanimous in it 3 desiro that those gentlemen should visit the district. The arrangements for the delivery of the lectures were left in the hands of the president and secretary.

Mr H. Buckland wrote asking the branch for an expression of opinion on the suggestion that the farmers should have one ( generally accepted day on which occupations of holdings should begin and end. Tho writer pointed out the advantages of fiueh a system, and stated that Mr D. Reid, M.11.R., would, if farmers generally thought well of the bcheme, have a bill brought before Parliament dealing with the matter. — Received. Mr Donald Reid, M.U.R., wrote offering ,

his support to tho proposed- bill for mutual fire insurance. <.

It was decided that the secretary bo instructed to communicate with the various branched of fho union- in the Taieri and surrounding districts with a view to cooptTation in the direction of employing -a canvasser and lecturer in connection with the farming industry." Tho matter of the higher rate of commissions on horse sales was freely discussed, and it was resolved that no definite action bo taken until a future meeting.