FARMERS'UNION.

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10958, 29 April 1907, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

MOTU BRANCH. The annual general meeting of the Motu branch of the Farmers' Union "was held on the 20tli inst. . Mr E. Richardeon presided. Messrs Alex. Wright and L. Anderson were elected members of thebranch. Correspondence was received 1 from the Hon. Minister for Public' Works and Under-Secretary, stating that the work of forming the Motu streets will be put m hand immediately. — It was decided to ask Messrs Common, Shelton and Co. to hold another stock sale at Mr Richardson's yards on May 7th. Already a few lines of wethers and hogegst are promised. All otlier settlers having lines to offer are requested to send their entries to the fira iit once. : The routine work being completed, the Chairman gave a review of the past year's work :— "ln. presenting the annual report for the year ending March 31, 1907, we are agaik pleased to record steady and substantial progress. The monthly meetings have been -fairly- "well attended; During the winter months these were held m the afternoon with such good results that I would recommend this plan for the ..coming winter. It is only by regular attendance and combined effort that- the best work can be done. The membership roll at the beginning of the year totalled 38 ; now we are., pleased" to record the toal at 49. The district has ;. been * fortunate m securing a grant of a. quarter acre village section for a public hall and library site, and also an eight-acre section about one mile from the village as a cemetery reserve. The project, started last year, of obtaining a resident doctor for Motu has fallen through, but the Government generously offered to subsidise our efforts £ for £ tup, to £150, which offer, is being kept open for a future time. During the year an important railway conference was held at Auckland, delegates from all centres between Gisborne, Rotorua, and Auckland attending. This district was ably represented by Mr Elliott, who embraced every opportunity of pusliing the importance of our district and pointing out the loss to the country and district through want of railway connection.'- Oiuv friend Mr Whinray has used still another lever to bring Motu to the foro, by obtaining and sending to the 'International Exhibition at Christchmrch a sample of Motu rimu; which sample we are pleased to hear compared very favorably "with other exhibits of a like nature, and for which the exhibitor received a «old medal. We are pleased to state the driving stock yards at Waihuka and Mr Rideout's are almost completed, the cost of which, viz., £30 15s 3d, '-eon bo met if all settlers benefited and not having already subscribed will promptly pay at the rate of Is 6d per lUO acres, being the original levy. The- state, of the roads has, especially this" year, been a source of much petitioning. The severe snow storm and liood m July so wrecked the main road that it was nearly Christmas before a waggon was seen at Motu ; and if it had not been fur the persistent and diplomatic agitation of omr local County Councillor, matters would have- been much worse. The Roads Department has at last extended the dray road as far as Mr 0. Richmond's, and a considerable amount of work hag been done on each of the other roads leading from Motu. The Department has also sanctioned* a grant for the forming and metalling of the Motu village streets,. ' which it is\ hoped will be spent before the winter. The Motu post office lias been, extended to v money order and savings bank office, which is much appreciated by all. On the strength of an utterance made m the House by the Premier that bush districts on main routes would receive his assistance when applying for telephone connection, we again applied for Government telephone connection to Motu ; and have had the gratifying reply that the desired connection will be - made shortly. On February 12 the Provincial President visited this district and addressed a meeting on the aims, objects, and advantages of the Farmer's Union. The day following was held a very successful and enjoyable picnic and social. All enjoyed our first picnic so well that members and visitors alike hope this is just the first of many . annual .gatherings of a like nature. At the invitation of our branch Messrs Common/ Shelton and Co., represented by Mr Hingston^ attended the meeting on November 3 to discuss the advisability of starting stock sales at Motu. The matter was taken up heartily on both sides, with the result that on February 19 a very good initial sale was held at Mr E. Richardson's yards. There is also a desire to hold another at the beginning of May if sufficient stock are forthcoming. Although we do not claim to have secured all the advantages referred to, yet we feel quite justified m claiming that because of our united interest and efforts ino.st. of these advantages and others have been granted t 0 the district. We wish to tender our heartiest thanks to Mr W. J>. S. Macdooald for

the great interest he has taken m our needs when at the Council table; and also for the grant of suitable ground at Waihuka crossing for stock yards. Mr Elliott has jugain represented us at the Provincial . Conference and Executive meetings, und we are satisfied that he has been a regular, able and euergetic representative. Although we have some additions to the membership roll, we have also had some removals, two of the most interested, im- ] poriant, and ill-to-lose being Messrs P. Wright and W. J. Baigent, but we hope their successors will be as ready to take a share m the work for the public good as they have been." The following committee were elected for the ensuing year : Messrs E. Richardson, E. B. Thomson, L. E. Campbell, T. Elliott, C. H. Bridge, R. N. Moore, L. ( Canon, O. Richmond, R. F. Jackson, A. ' E. Campbell, J. Turner, W. D. S. Maodonuld, and F. Hansen. Mr Richardson was re-elected Chairman; Mr Moore, vicechairman; Messrs C. H. Bridge and Moore, joint secretaries and treasurers; Mr W. D. S. Macdonald, delegate to Provincial Conference; Mr V. P. Thomson, auditor. It was decided that the next six-monthly meeting be held on Saturday afternoon, instead of evening. At the meeting of subscribers to Public Hall and Library, Messrs R. F. Jackson, P. Hansen, and O. Richmond were nominated trustees. . The annual meeting of the Motu Railway League was then held. Mr T. Elliott, m the cliair, gave a short report of the work of the year. Messrs Jackson, Elliott, Moore, Richardson, and Bridge •were elected the' executive committee for the year. Mr Elliott again fills the position of chairman; Mr Jackson was elected deputy chairman, and Mr C. H. Bridge hon. secretary and treasurer. It was resolved t 0 ask the Hon. Minister for Public Works to officially open the next section of the railway beyond Te Karaka, and that Mr Elliott represent the Motu League on the occasion.