N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2666, 19 April 1905, Page 20

N.Z. FARMERS' UNION.

OTAGO.

The annual meeting of the Scott's Gap Jjranch was held on the 3rd Tnsfc., when the following office-bearers were elected : — Chair3iian, Mr J. Paterson (re-elected) ; secretary, Mr M. M'Kay (re-elected) ; committee, Messrs J. C. Forde, D. M'lvor, John Dickson, D. Crowe. There was a long discussion i-egard-ing the appointment of Mr A. M. Paterson as consulting veterinary, with the result that this branch is rot in favour of the executive appointing Mr Paterson as consulting vet. On the motion of Mr Dick6on, it was decided that; this branch is in favour of the executive appointing an organisingsecretary. Other matters discussed were sheep-branding and mutual file insurance, also a resolution from the Poverty Bay executive re uniform branch subscription.

The annuel meeting of the Waikaka branch was held on the Bth inst., Mr J. A. Hodge (president) in the chair. The Secretary (Mr Jas. O'Brien), as delegate to, the late conference, l'eporhed that Mr Paterson's resignation had been accepted ':>y the executive. He also read a lengthy memo, from: the -Provincial Secretary in connection with a proposed re-engagement of Mr Paterscn.as consulting veterinarian. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided : "That this: branch is opposed to th© appointment." The balance sheet was read and 1 adopted!. Th© following officers were elected: — President, Mr Jai3. O'Brien ; xice president, Mr Jas. Gray ; secretary, Mr J. A. Hodge ; committee, Messrs W. Ibbotson, M. Spratt, D. Lamb, D. Nicol, and S. M'lntosh. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring secretary (Mr O'Brien).

Mr James Milne (chairman) presided at the annual meeting of the Wyndham branch, held on the Bth inst. The annual report and balance sheet were submitted by the secretary (Mr Cushnie). The receipts for the year were £38 16s, and the expenditure (including a levy to the Provincial Council of £29 105— 59 members at 10s) absorbed the entire receipts. The report and balance sheci were adopted. Office-bearers were elected) for the ensuing year as follows : — Chairman, Mr James Milne (reelected) ; vice-chairman, Mr Laidlaw ; secretary, Mr John Cook; auditor, Mr James M'Lauchlan; committee, Messrs H. Marshall, G. O'Brien, James Allan, W. J. Winter, R. Arnott, W. Hall, James Walker. It. Shields, T. W. Foster, A. Howe and James Scott. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded the retiring secretary (Mr Cuahniel for past services. This concluded the business of the annual meeting. The ordinary meeting was then held. A letter was received from the Provincial Secretary stating: that the executive have had under consideration the .desirability of retaining Mr A. M. Paterson's connection with fch-3 union under, a modified! arrangement. — [The details have already been published.] Mr Foster moved, "That this branch recommends to the annual Provincial Conference the retention of Mr Paterson's services on the lines indicated." They should not let go their hold: of so valuable an official. Mr Cu«hnie seconded with plea?ure. The motion was spoken to by the majority of tho=e present. and carried unanimously. — The Provincial Secretary aho wrote : "The levy on members decided on bx the executive for tha

coming year is 10s for full members and 5s for hon. members ; so please fix your irembership fee allowing for this amount to be paid to the ■executive." Mr Cushniei moved that the annual subscription be 12s 6d, which would leave 2s 6d per member for local expenses, after paying the Provincial^ Executive 10s per member. Seconded by TMi Foster, and carried. — Great dissatisfaction was expressed at Mi Hunter's temporary engagement as organiser, and, after some discussion, it was resolved that the branch delegate to the -Provincial Conference be given a free hand to act as he thinks best in the matter. — A motion was carried that this branch emphatically disapproves of the proposal for the Colonial Executive to fix the amount of the annual subscription. — A resolution supporting the action of the North Canterbury Executive in calling attention to the increasing danger of anthrax consequent on the large importation of bones was passed. — Messrs Milne and Laidlaw were appointed to tihe forthcoming Provincial Conference. — This concluded the business ; and thereafter those present were regaled to light'refreshments, the chairman being host.

CANTERBURY.

The annual meeting of the Prebbleton branch was held en the 10th inst., Mr Witte being in the ohaii. The balance sheet showed receipts £12 8s 3d and' expenditure £12 4s 6d, leaving- a balance of 3s 9d. The Secretary reported that the monthly meetings had been fairly well attended during the year. He pointed out that they had not had many outsiders to address their meetings, and suggested that more attention should be given to this matter in the future, bo that the meetings might be made more interesting. He referred to the very successful tea meeting that had been held, ■which " the farmers had attended in large numbers, and also to the picnic of combined branches which was held at Lincoln College. Four new members had joined during the year, and hopes were entertained that others would join this year. The report and balance eheet were- -adopted. A vote of thanks was passed to the president (Mr Witte), the delegate {Mr J. W. Prebble), and the secretary (Mr J. W. Patchet). The following were electe-d a committee for the ensuing year: — Messrs Witte, Patchet, M'Conmel, Hodgen, Campion (2), Carpenter, Winter and Prebble. Mr Witte was re-elected president, Mr J. W. Prebble delegate to the Provincial Conference, and Mr J. W. Patehet secretary. Several matters were brought up for discussion, but it was deeidsd to leave- them over for- the next meeting.