FARMERS PLEASED

Sun (Auckland), Volume IV, Issue 978, 22 May 1930, Page 15

FARMERS PLEASED

RAIN IN WAIKATO From Our Own Correspondent HAMILTON, Today. Reports from country districts around Hamilton indicate that the recent rains have proved very beneficial to farmers, as harrowing and topdressing can now proceed apace. Many farmers were short of water, as the windmills were useless, and in many cases hand-pumping was resorted to. Preparations are well forward for the big drive for clothes and donations, to be commenced on Saturday by the Waikato Commercial Travellers’ Association. On June 3 the goods will be auctioned, and the proceeds will be devoted to the Waikato Children's Community Camp League. * * c July G is the date chosen as Bible Sunday in Hamilton churches, on the suggestion of the Hamilton branch of the British and Foreign Bible Society. Eighteen grants for trophies of a total value of £172 have been made since May 2 by thm trustees of the Herbert Smith Fund, Hamilton, to organisations all over New Zealand. At a meeting of the Hamilton Ministers’ Association this week, the Rev. H. G. Gilbert was appointed speaker at the combined Sunday school rally in Winter Show Week. The Rev. L. M. Rogers was selected as judge of the Sunday school exhibits at the show. The following officers were elected at the annual meeting of the Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Association on Tuesday evening: President, Mr. R. D. McFarland: vice-president, Mr. E. Clayton-Greene; executive committee, Messrs. R. F. Ward, T. Patterson. J. Blackhall, R. B. Cranwell, J. N. Baxter, P. Pile, N. S. Johnson, H. Toombs, H. C. M. Norris, Dr. F. D. Pinfold: auditor, Mr. R. Challiner.

At the annual meeting of the Hamilton branch of the Church of England \ Men's Society, the following officers t were elected:—Lay chairman, Mr. F\ H. Clapham; vice-chairman, Mr. E. V. Stace: hon. secretary, Mr. R. Challiner; j hon. treasurer, Mr. R. English; executive committee, Messrs. R. Braithwaite, H. C. M. Norris, H. G. Sergei. C. C. Tidmarsh, J. T. Reid and E. V. Stace; social committee, Messrs. C. Speight (chairman), E. L. Watkins, R. Powell, F. L. King, D. Hay, S. Cleland, A. C. A. Caldwell, R. Braithwaite and F. H. Clapham. An outbreak of fire in the stock pens at the Claudelands showgrounds was quickly suppressed by the fire brigade at 6.30 on Tuesday evening. Little damage was done. * * * Arrangements are being made for an air pageant at Hamilton in Winter Show week. This will be the first of its kind in the town, which has, apart from the activities of a private company, been well behind other New Zealand centres in its interest in aviation. Judging of the butter and cheese exhibits at the Waikato Winter Showcommenced yesterdfty, and is expected to last for three days. In the show buildings, stallholders are working with feverish activity and an army of workers is completing interior decoraMr. A. E. Frederic, postmaster at Frankton Junction Railway Post Office, was given a farewell this week on his departure to Wellington to take up •the position of supervisor of the

! Parcels Office. He was presented i with a travelling rug by the staff. Mr. C. B. Tasker will succeed him. » * * * It was unanimously decided to <«• - i test the Hamilton seat in the Labour * interests at the next election or b\ - ' election, at a meeting of the Hamilton j branch of the New Zealand LabourParty this week. A motion thanking :he Rehabiiita- | tion Commission for :.ts work was passed at the annual meeting of th* Waikato Returned Soldiers’ Associa- : tion on Tuesday night. It was dej cided to urge the Government to give i effect to the commission’s recommcn- , * dntions. The incoming committee i { was given power to go into the ques ► I tion of setting up a soldiers' civil >J.re-establishment league in liimili a