DISTRICT NEWS

Southland Times, Issue 20617, 16 October 1928, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS

RIVERSDALE NOTES. FARMERS’ UNION. On Saturday night the Riversdale branch of the Farmers’ Union held a meeting in the Wendon School, there being a representative attendance of members. No doubt the disagreeable weather kept many at home who would otherwise have been present. Mr Elder occupied the chair. A considerable portion of the evening was devoted to the inward correspondence and the points arising from it. A discussion followed a letter concerning registration of tractors and traction engines. The secretary read sections of the Motor Vehicles Act, 1927, which showed that traction engines were not included in the category of “motor lorries” and so were exempt from the license fee. Moreover, there could be found no actual statement to the effect that tractors had definitely to be registered. The question of preferential voting was then discussed. The secretary (Mr F. Walker) gave a clear and lucid explanation of the preferential system of voting, supplementing his remarks bv illustrations of how the system worked in actual practice. The system, of course, would entail a tremendous amount of work for the returning officers, and moreover there would probably be a very much larger percentage of informal votes. Owing to the rather poor attendance, it was decided to discuss the question more fully at the next meeting. The members present, seemed all to be in favour of the adoption of preferential voting. The question of procuring cheaper petrol was then discussed, but no very definite opinion was expressed, as the chances of obtaining this seem at present to be rather remote. The only feasible plan seems to be for the Farmers’ Union to come to some understanding about the erection of a bowser for themselves.

Although the local membership now stands at close on 70, as a rule the attendance at the meetings does not amount to more than a fraction of this number. This seems rather an anomaly when it is taken into consideration that the Farmers’ Union is now coming into its own, and that the only way for it to progress is for the members to attend the meetings and stick together. General. The weather has been very stormy of late, but although generally depressing, it has been interspersed by a few days of sunshine. On two successive nights last week there were falls of snow, which soon dissolved in the ensuing rain. The losses of lambs have been much on a par with previous years, but feed is not now overplentiful. Most of the streams are very swollen, while many fields have a considerable amount of water lying in them. In connection with agriculture, it may be of interest to farmers as well as to philatelists to know that a certain set of two Russian stamps bears the picture of a tractor. One of the stamps shows a peasant (clean-shaven, by the way) sowing corn by hand, while in the background is a tractor with a modern cultivator hitched to it. The other shows a curious-looking farm tractor, having apparently only one front wheel. ' From the foregoing it would seem that Russia is something more than merely a country where overcoat manufacturers do a great trade and where razors are unpopular. WAIKAKA NOTES. A FAREWELL EVENING. On Saturday evening last, the supper room at the Oddfellows’ Hall was filled to its utmost capacity when the many friends of Mrs Lawson met to bid her farewell prior to her departure for Milton. A short programme was submitted, the following contributing items: Miss Corcoran, pianoforte solo; Mrs Styles, Misses McEwan, Benfell and Heather Turnbull, recitations; Mesdames L. Turnbull, McQueen and McDonald, solos, Miss Corcoran acted as accompaniste. At the conclusion of the items, Mr Keating, who occupied the chair; on behalf of the residents expressed regret at Mrs Lawson’s removal from the district, where she had resided for over 20 years. Although, perhaps, she had not taken a prominent part in the affairs of the township, she was ever ready to help in time of need, and her chief interest lay in her own home.

He was proud to know of her son’s success in the career he had chosen. After wishing Mrs Lawson a happy settlement in her new home, he called on Mrs Dripps to make a small presentation. In asking Mrs Lawson’s acceptance of a handsome clock and a well-filled envelope on behalf of the residents of Waikaka and district, Mrs Dripps said how sorry everyone was that Mrs Lawson had decided to leave Waikaka, but all wished her every success and happiness in her new home at Milton. Mrs Rennie also referred to the guest’s sterling qualities, and wished her a happy future. Mrs F. Gutschlag, on rising to reply on Mrs Lawson’s behalf, first added her meed of praise and thep thanked all for thejr kindly expressions and gift. The company then sang “For She’s a Jolly Good Fellow.” Supper was handed round by the ladies, and after a hearty vote of thanks to the chairman Auld Lang Syne concluded a very pleasant function. Mrs Lawson leaves for her new home on Tuesday.