NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION.

Pahiatua Herald, Volume XIV, Issue 3295, 14 April 1909, Page 2

NEW ZEALAND FARMERS’ UNION.

PONGAROA BRANCH

(From Our' Own Correspondent.)

The annual general meeting of the above branch was held in the Town Hall, Pongaroa, on Saturday, 10th inst. There was a very fair attendance. Mr R. Robertson, Rakaunui, was voted to the chair in place .of the retiring chairman, Mr A. Murray, of Waterfalls, who telegraphed' his inrability to be present, owing to illness. The secretary laid before the meeting the balance-sheet for the year, showing a credit balance of £2 4s 10Jd after paying the general expenses and provincial levy of 6s per member. Mr A. Dickens was elected chairman for the ensuing year, and Mr Ligertwood was re-eelcted secretary and treasurer.

The last year’s executive were reelected, with the addition of Messrs A. Macdonald, 1 chcock, J. R. Franklin (Weber) an F. Herbert. Mr Dickens was a] linted delegate to attend the conference at Eketahuna in May next. The subscription for membership ivas fixed at 10s yearly, meetings to be held quarterly and oftener if considered necessary. Mr Robertson gave a resume of the proceedings in connection with the proposed co-operative freezing works. He had attended the meetings at Masterton and Woodville as the delegate of the Pongaroa branch, and was hopeful of the general success of the scheme. Mr Robertson was accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

Mr Dickers called the attention of the meeting to the necessity of a daily mail service for Pongaroa via Mangatiti, but had no objection to the coach going by Rakaunui on alternate days. Mr Hitchcock pointed out that the road between Pongaroa and Rakaunui had been nearly wholly metalled, and would be available for coach traffic during the winter months. A deputation, consisting of Messrs Robertson, Hitchcock and Dickens is to interview the Premier on the subject.

A letter from Captain Whyte was received regretting his inability to attend the meeting, but he hoped to visit the district later on along with Air J. C. Cooper.