OKAIAWA FARMERS’ UNION

Taranaki Daily News, 8 May 1930, Page 8

OKAIAWA FARMERS’ UNION

ANNUAL MEETING HELD. Mr, E. J. Booth presided over the annual meeting of the Okaiawa branch of the Farmers’ Union. In his annual report he stated that two socials were held during the year—the annual.prizegiving and a farewell to Mr. E. G. Betts. The various competitions, rootcrops and lucerne-growing were well supported, and he wished to record that Messrs. P. Bremer, H. Betts and ,G. Preece junr. had donated their prizes to the funds, for which they were to be thanked.

The monthly meetings were fairly well attended, but there was room for improvement. The branch was fortunate in having euch good speakers for ■ their meetings as Mr. James on rural ■ credits, Mr. L. A. Taylor on afforesta* i tion, Mr. T. A. Kinmont on the history . of mortgages, Mr, L. A. Bone on Power Board affairs, Mr. W. Jones (North Auckland) on the tariff question, and > Mr, A. Williams on the bobby calf [ industry. > The secretary reported a credit bal- . ance of- £25 14cs 3d, which represented a profit on the year of £7 13s 3d. The receipts included subscriptions (£4l), competitions ( £7 10s), and the annual • concert (£l3 Ils 6d). The year commenced with a credit of £lB Is, the total receipts being £Bl 13s lid. The principal items of expenditure were: Advertising £5, capitation £lO ss, Dominion Council £2O ss, hire of hall £3, boys’ and girls’ clubs £5 7s 6d, prizes £0 15s, Glasson presentation £1 4s 6d, sundries £2 4s 2d, provincial executive £1 la, leaving a credit balance of £25 14s 3d. i In view of the meagre attendance it was decided to leave the election of officers until to-morrow evening, when another meeting will tie held. OTAKEHO HOCKEY BALL. ■" The annual ball of the Otakeho Ladies’ Hockey Club on Tuesday night was a most successful and enjoyable function. The hall was decorated with streamers of the club’s colours (pink and white) and the effect was very pleasing. Coburn’s orchestra played popular dance numbers, and Mr. A. Gray, master of ceremonies, kept the programme going briskly. An excellent supper was served by the members of the hockey club. WINTER SHOW ATTRACTION. PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS. Additional attractions at Hawera to assist in suitably celebrating the 21st annual winter show were-decided upon at a public meeting of representatives of various local bodies, associations, business men aj i the general public at Hawera on Tuesday. Mr. G. D. Dickie presided over an attendance of 15. The' organiser, Mr. L. O. Hooker, suggested that schemes similar to those adopted in 1923, when the most success- ' ful week of its kind ever held in New Zealand had been staged at Hawera, i should again be used. On that occasion I the railways alone had brought 7000 1 people to Hawera, and he knew that the 1 Railway Department was prepared to run special trains. The education boards of Taranaki, and Wanganui had been approached to allow school children a holiday in order to view the marvellous ! display of manual work which would 1 be shown. He knew the show would ' receive the hearty co-operation of both ' boards and teachers. ’ On behalf of the Winter Show Com- J pany the chairman of directors, Mr. J. R. Corrigan, stated that the directors had considered the show from every angle and had decided that it was neces- , sary to infuse as much enthusiasm as possible in both town and country peo- j pie. This year the directorate wanted to stage something special for school children, and co-operation was wanted - for success in that department. He suggested that the town should be decor- r ated with streamers, coloured lights and greenery and that there should be spe- >j cial displays in all shops. j It was stated by Mr. B. C. Bennett j that several leading business men had promised support. _ \ Support would be forthcoming from the Farmers’ Union, said Mr. E. J. s Betts, chairman of the provincial ex- \ ecutive. t

Following further discussion those present were appointed a general committee, with power to add, to work in conjunction with the Winter Show Company, and to subsequently organise subcommittees. It was said that thousands of school children would be visiting the show and that special arrangements would have to be made for feeding them. A children's entertainment committee was formed. It was decided to ask for the co-opera-tion of the Chamber of Commerce, Farmers’ Union, Retailers’ Association, Friendly Societies, Borough ■ Council, County Councils, Power Board, Women’s Division and the Taranaki Rugby Union. PATEA FIRE BRIGADE. Apologies from the Stratford brigade were read for their failure to attend the smoke concert of the Patea Fire Brigade. The clashing of the date with previous engagements prevented their attendance. It was announced that flO-O had beep set aside in the borough council’s estimates for fire prevention purposes. * Regarding competition work the chairman (Captain F. Fitzwater) deplored the lack of interest displayed in what was an essential part of firemen’s training. Efficiency in firefighting was the result of active participation in the various competitions. The laxity was more noticeable among the younger members. He announced a competition would be held on Tuesday night, when he hoped to see a full attendance.

The brigade acknowledged the. piomise of medals from Mr. A. G. Cooper and Fireman C. Adams. The captain reported all equipment and the engine were in excellent order. A copy of the recommendations for fire drill procedure in schools was received from the secretary of the United Fire Brigades’ Association. Some discussion took place regarding tin holding of the annual ball. It was decided to collaborate with tho ladies committee before making any decision. PERSONAL ITEMS. Mr. H. Wiggins, of the staff of the Hawera Post Office, has received notice of his transfer to Kaikohe, North Auckland, as senior officer. .