FARMERS' UNION.

Colonist, Volume LIV, Issue 13417, 15 May 1912, Page 4

FARMERS' UNION.

WAKAPUAKA BRANCH

Tho annual meeting of tho Wakapuaka branch of the Farmers' Union was held at the Hillside school room on Saturday evening last, Mr. D. E. Boon, president, being in tho chair, and there was a good attendance of members.

The balance sheet, which revealed a credit balance of £3'l2s (3d, ivas read and adopted. The Local Government Bill was discussed, and the general opinion was that though the Bill contained some measures which might be an advantage to local bodies, it wag looked upon as being far too cumbersome, and the opinion of the meeting was that it would cost more to administer it in its present form than the present system.

A matter of importance- to farmers and orchardists in particular, was brought forward by Mr. George Dodson in tho'way that opossums are increasing. Some samples o-f fruit and portions of a tree was brought to the meeting to show the ravages that aro made by these* fruit destroyers. It was stated that they do not eat the whole of the apples, but just take a few bites out, and then move on to the next until they have, damaged nearly all the tree contains. They also _ destroy the portions of the tree that is to bear fruirt the following season. The speaker urged that representations be made to the Government to jiaive theprotectidn removed from tho animals. The following resolution was carried unanimously in. reference thereto: "That Mr. „H. AtihoM, M.P., be asked to communicate- witli the Government with a view to having the protection taken off opossums, as seeing how destructive they aro to orehardists and farmers generally.

The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr. D. E. Boon; vicepresident, Mr. R. C. Withers ; secretary and treasurer. Mr. John Corde-r; auditor, Mr. W. H. Alborotigh ; Committee. Messrs. J. Morrison, C J. Ruff ell, P. Whitwell, G. Dodson, G> llall, E. West-ley.-F. W. Anderson, W. 11. Alborough. and officers ox officio.

A very hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. W. H. Alborough for aiuditing the accounts; aliso to the oflicers for their services during the past year.

A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the meeting.