POMAHAKA DOWNS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2695, 8 November 1905, Page 53

POMAHAKA DOWNS.

November 4. — We have had showery, cold, ■easterly weataer during the last fortnight. Occasionally the wind has shifted into the west, from which quarter we generally get wanner weather — though ,1 have found it cold irom the wes-t, the eas^ 1 the north, the south. Still, there has not been the amount of wet weather here that has been experienced alcng the railway line to the north. The Farm — Sowing grass and getting the ground ready for turnips has been the order of -work during the last fortnight, also the ■failing of lambs, and I hear of some splendid averages — considerably over 'loo per cent. The Homeland may be sure to he well supplied this year with New Zealand- lamb. I have also seen a few foais skipping about. MiGeorge Herriott has been out with his stallion Tyneholme, and though he has been at "hard graft" during the winter, yet the old horse seems quite fit. Mr Turnbull's Field Marshal has also been paying us a visit, and he is looking, well.

Farmers' Union. — A meeting of delegates from various branches of the union in the Clutha County was held in Mr Nelson's Hotel last Thursday afternoon, when Balclutha, Clinton, and Tapanui were represented. Letters were read from Waikoikoi and Pukerau, giving their reasons for not sending a delegate on this occasion. Mr John Clerk was' in the chair. Several members of the Clinton branch were present, besides the delegates. Mr, James, Taylor said that .before proceeding to the- business of the meeting -he would like to move a vote of thanks to the retiring member, Mr Thomson, for his services in. the past, and express a 1 hope that he may yet have many years of health and happiness. Mr Williamson seconded the "" motion. Mr James Ayson, of Kaihiku, wished to say that, he had known Mtl Thomson for many years, and that he had been present on the occasion when Mr Thomson was fiist proposed as a member of the Provincial Council. The meeting took place in the church at Warepa. The delegate from Tapanui also wished to express his best wishes for Mr Thomson on his retirement from politics. The Chairman then explained to the meeting why delegates had been asked to meet in Clinton — viz., to consider the views of the three Parliamentary candidates with reference to the union's platform. The delegate from Balclutha handed in the replies he had got from Messrs Stewart and Malcolm, and the Chairman explained that the views of Mr Roy were the same as those of Mr Stewart. A considerable amount of conversation took place, during which it was admitted that the meeting could not dictate what candidate the union should support, but simply make a suggestion. Mr Williamson moved and the delegate from Tapanui seconded — "That a ballot be taken amongst the delegates as to which candidate was most in favour of the union's platform," and on a show of hands being taken it was decided to recommend Mr Malcolm. I may add that the secretary showed me a reply to their Clinton branch's application for alteration in the station loading line, saying that it had been referred to the Government for favoural^e consideration.

Politics. — Candidates have been on the warpath during this last week. Last Monday Mr Malcolm addre°ed the electors m the Wairuna School. On Thursday Mr Roy turned up at Poraehaka Downs School, but it being a bad night very few wero present ; and on Friday Mr Roy spoke at "Wairuna. where thei-e was a lai'ge attendance. At the close of his meeting he announced that he was going to the poll. I understand that -Mr Roy had been asked to attend a meting of Mr Malcolm's Committee with a view to arrange for the ruaning of only one Opposition candidate, time and place b°ing appointed. Mr Roy attended, but no osiers

turned up. Mr Roy naturally felt aggrieved, and consequently he decided to try his luck. Of course this is Mr Roy's first appearance, but nevertheless I know him to be a man of his word, and the matter of his speech was good — just as good as that of any of the others, and stranger things have happened than that he might come in at the top of the poll. Yet if the Clutha electorate is going to remain on the old lines, I think an effort should be made to arrange for only one Opposition candidate to go to the poll. As Mr Malcolm has been before the electors on a previous occasion. I would suggest that his committee confer with Mr Roy and come to some satisfactory arrangement.