CLEVEDON.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 7, Issue 367, 16 April 1918, Page 2

CLEVEDON.

The Cievedon Agent for " the Times" is Mr W. H. Collett, from whom copies of the paper may be obtained. (See also page 4.) CLEVEDON FARMERS' UNION. ANNUAL MEETING. At the annual meeting of the Cievedon Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union there were present Messrs C. A. Fawcett (President) in the chair, A. C. Munro, J. Luke, A L. Atkinson, J. Hancock, P. C. M. Waters, H.J. Bull, W. T. Bell, F. Stephens, P. C. Holder, W. T. Duder. L. H. Burgoyne, W. C Stephens, T. C. Paul, T. Burrows, with the Secretary, Mr J. A. Qandy. ANNUAL REPORT. The Secretary, in his annual report, stated (.inter alia) : The year's working has proved very satisfactory, so far as it goes, but local and farming matters generally have been too greatly handicapped by the conditions brought about by the war for there to have been the progress we could have wished for. The financial affairs are most satisfactory so far as lies within the direct control of the Branch, but are very unsatisfactory where under the control of the Provincial Office as will be seen when the Balance Sheet is considered.

Amongst the matters which the Executive haVe submitted to this Branch for consideration was the formation of a Sub-Provincial Executive. With respect to this, your President, Messrs C. C. Munro, J. Luke and I attended a conference held at Pukekohe to consider the formation of a Sub-Provincial Area, having Pukekohe as a centre, Clevedon being asked to join. On reporting particulars of the lines on which it was proposed to organise that area as a Sub-Executive (as put forth at the conference) to this Branch, we decided that as the scheme was unsatisfactory, both financially and otherwise, we were not in favour of supporting it. The local matters dealt with have not been very numerous, owing to the conditions before mentioned. \mongst the most important are : The appointment of additional Justices of the Peace for Clevedon, which matter is now under consideration by the powers that be ; various matters in connection with the local cadet training ; the matter of cattle tick in the Dominion ; the increase of rabbits in the Ardmore District, the Agricultural Department promising to attend to the matter in the near future.

The ordinary members paid up their subscriptions well, as did many of the trading members direct to me, but the collection of traders' subscriptions by the Provincial Office has not proved a success this year. The total membership is 102, consisting of 87 Trading Members, 12 Ordinary Members and three members on active service.

The President, in moving the adoption of the report, commented on the fact that the Branch was not represented on the Trustee Board of the National Efficiency Board. In this connection, he said, he had interviewed Major Conlan, who stated that Clevedon had been inadvertently overlooked and had asked to be supplied with the name of a suitable representative to act on the Board. With regard to the work of the Branch, Mr Fawcett said, the membership compared favourably with other places. He urged a still deeper interest in the affairs of the Union and more support to the Trading Company. As outgoing Chairman he thanked them for their many acts of kindness and assured them of the continued interest in the affairs of the Union.

ELECTION OK OFFICERS. Mr J. Luke, in proposing Mr C. Munro as President for the coming year, referred to his past successes as such aud thought he would prove worthy of the position. No further nominations being made Mr Munro was unanimously elected.—ln returning thanks for his election Mr Munro said he would have preferred some new member being appointed but promised to try to justify the repose placed in him. Mr J. Duder was elected VicePresident and Messrs J. A. Gandy and C. A Atchison were re-appointed Secretary and Auditor respectively. In connection with the re-election of Mr Gaudy as Secretary the President paid a high tribute to Mr Gandy's excellent work and a bonus of £5 was unanimously voted to him as an appreciation of his services. The Committee were elected as follows: Messrs C. A. Fawcett, J. Luke, A. D. Bell, J. Hancock, C. C. Munro, H. J. Bull, F. Stephens, W. T. Bell, J. B. Aickin, L. H. Burgovne, W. Stephens, W. T. Duder, Jno. Shaw, P. C. M. Waters, P. Graham, H. S. Munro, S. A. Browne, A. L. Atkinson.

The usual monthly meeting was subsequently held and in compliance with a request made bv the Auckland Commissioner (Mr Geo. Elliot) for a tmstee for Clevedon to be nominated for the Trust Board in connection with the National Efficiency Board Mr C. A. Favrcett was selected to represent the district.—-In thanking the mooting for his nomination Mr Fawcett promised to do his duty fearlessly and faithfully, realising that in the district there were many shirkers who ought to be lighting for their country. Votes of cmdolence were passed wi'h ill' relatives of Privates J. Conaghey and Keith Mohr, who had been killed in action, and kindly reference was made to their loss.

A large company assembled on Match -•'lid last in the Public Hall at Clevedon to give a " Woloome Home "to Private I). Trail. Mr A. 1). Bell presided. The Chairman, in a iitting speech, welcomed the guest

of the evening and oxpressed on be- t half of the residents the groat pleasure they all felt at having him amongst them again. During the evening a vocal and instrumental programme was presented, in which the following took part: Duet, MrsT. C. Hitchcock and Miss Waters ; songs, Miss M. Shaw, Mrs C. W. Stephens and Miss Munro. A dance concluded the proceedings, Mr J. Alexander ably acting as M.C. In commemoration of Anzac Day on Thursday the 25th inst., a short address is to be delivered by the Rev. W. C. Wood in All Souls Church at 2.30 p.m. Private A. V. Wilson, son of Mr G. W. Wilson, of Clevedon, who was wounded, his "trigger" finger having been shot away at the battle of Messines, is now employed at the Military Camp Codford, in England. A Red Cross afternoon will be held on the South Clevedon Tennis Courts on Friday next. A report of the autumn flower i show., held at Clevedon last Friday will appear in our issue of Friday next. Under the auspices of the Clevedon Patriotic Social Committee a social farewell and dance was given in the Public Hall, Clevedon, on Wednesday, April 3rd, in honour of Privates W. Johnson, H. Brcwn and A. Trail, who were on final leave, while a " welcome home " was at the same time accorded to Sergt. Bupert Waters, who had returned home wounded. Appropriate speeches were delivered by the Rev W. C. Wood and Jacobson, to which Private Johnson and Sergt. Waters suitably replied. Songs were contributed by Mrs ,C. W. Stephens, Miss M. Dow and Miss Munro. Dancing was freely entered into, Mr J. Alexander acting as M.C.