Wyndham

Southland Times, Issue 15033, 30 August 1901, Page 4

Wyndham

A ~- j (FKOM OCR OW>" L'OKEKSPOXDEM. ) I A meeting of farmers was held on Wednesday evening to hear addresses from the delegates of the Farmers' Co-operative JtJnion which has recently been established \ at Gore. Mr James Milne, who occupied t the chair,regretted there were so few farmers present. It # was decidedly discouraging, and t a much better attendance might have been c looked for, seeing that co-operation was a matter that interested them all The dele- _ gates — Messrs Hugh Smith, (Gore), W. fcjcoular (Pukerau), P. Aitken (Waikaka ( Valley) and M. Carr — addressed the meeting, t showing the advantages which would accrue I f to farmers from such an association, and j , recounting the success which had attended ( the efforts of the promoters in inducing tho j farmers of the Gore and Western districts to t take up shares. Tbe general meeting of the , Association wonld take place in September, , and it was expected they would have a Capital of about £5000. The shares -were fixed at £5 each, of which it was proposed to call up £3. A very extensive business could not be carried on on that amount of capital, it was said; still, it was a fair start and it only required the practical support of the farmers of Southland to make it equally extensive and prosperous with those of Canterbury and elsewhere. It was generally conceded that it was difficult to induce Southland farmers to fall in with the project; many of them hafing had unfavonr- , able experiences in similar ventures. Nearly 1000 shares had been taken up about Gore, wßfere it had been intended to establish the headquarters of the Association. However, : the Western district hid suggested Invercargill as the most suitable centre for that purpose. With a view to complying with the wishes of the people of tbat district committees had been set up at Drummond and Otautau to canvass for more shareholders, so as to justify the directors in shifting the head office to Invercargill. Mr A. Beange said the project had been brought forward at a bad time, as a large number had connected it with the Farmers' Union, and were not fully informed that tlie object of the one was the safe-guarding of their political welfare and that of the other to obtain the best markets for their produce. The Chairman then asked the meeting to take some definite step in the matter, but Mr Beange thought it difficult to do so in ▼iew of the meagrenees of the attendance. Mr James Scott thought it would be as well for this district to hold off until the headquarters of the Association had been shifted to Invercargill. Mr Carr said there was every prospect of that being done at an early date. It was ultimately decided to appoint a number of gentlemen to canvass this district for support. The local Foresters celebrated their eleventh anniversary by a ball in Atkinson's Hall on Friday evening last. The hall was very tastefully decorated for the occasion, and regarding the music, it needs only to be said that it was provided by Mr and Mrs H. Mayo, Gore, to realise tbat it was of a very high quality indeed. The catering was satisfactorily done by Mrs lUingworlh, and the duties of M.C were also efficiently performed by Bros. W. Shields and J. Dempster. Despite some gloomy forebodings, owing to the prevalent sickness, the hall was crowded, and a most enjoyable time was spent. On Friday evening the Rev. Mr Aitken delivered a lecture on "Hugh Miller" in a most able and instructive manner, and was greatly appreciated by those present. Mr W. R. F. Fraser, in proposing a vote of thanks to the lecturer, said he regretted that young people did not display a greater taste for such studies as would be likely to strengthen their characters and make them nobler men and women. Mr Aitken, in reply, said he believed that owing to the dates — the winter lectures having been fixed as near as possible to full moon — the frosts had been so keen as to deter all except the most enthusiastic from attending. The annual meeting of the Rine Club was held on Saturday night when tlie following office-bearers were elected. President, Mr Hush Marshall; vice-president M3ssrs J. A. Dodd and A. Cunningham; captain, MrW. R. F. Fraser; Lieutenant, Mr M. Laurie, and secretary Mr T. Robinson. Practices are to be |held on Wednesday afternoons. On Monday night the annual meeting of the Athena?um waa held in the Athenaum rooms. Mr James Milne was in the chair. The minutes of the last meeting were confirmed and the balance sheet for the year, BhWTflg, feCeSpts, i&4 os iM f expenrTflure, £31 9d, and leaving a credit balance oi £22 16s 9d. The retiring committee was re-elected; Mr James Milne, president; Mr J. Golding, secretary, and Mr J. McLauchlan, auditor. The Librarian is to be paid 20 per cent on all new subscribers for the ensuing ; year. A number of new books are to be procured, and those parties who use the athenaeum without being members are to be requested to discontinue their visits until they become subscribers.