LICENSING OF COWSHEDS

Taranaki Daily News, 23 May 1934, Page 10

LICENSING OF COWSHEDS

FARMERS’ UNION DISCUSSION. REMIT HEAVILY DEFEATED. A remit that all premises from which milk or cream is supplied for the manufacture of dairy produce be registered in the same manner as those for town supply was heavily defeated at the South Taranaki Farmers’ Union conference yesterday. The Okaiawa branch introduced the remit. Mr. D. Wards said that on some farms it was impossible to produce good milk. He could see no reason why licensing should not be introduced, and it would not entail increased numbers of inspectors. At least 90 per cent, of the farms were “quite decent.” Mr. H. Finlay said it was one of the moves that would save the industry. In addition it could be used as a selling point which no other country yet had. Mr. W. E. Carter thought compulsory dairy farm inspection would achieve the same end. Mr. Bayliss said it often happened that farms were leased when they were not in good order. A measure such as proposed would prevent this. Mr. N. McDiarmid, replying to suggestions that this was not an opportune time to introduce the restriction, contended it was the best time to do so. _ It was now that they needed high quality produce to capture the market. Mr. B. H. Parker opposed the remit because of the human element, cows being milked with dirty hands or by men wearing dirty overalls. Mr. McDiarmid said the remit was a step forward, though he agreed with Mr. Parker. The voting against the remit was 3 to 1. \; MEREMERE CARD EVENINGS. PERSONAL AND GENERAL NEWS. Prizes at the flag five hundred evening held at Mrs. G. W. William’s residence, Meremere, were won by Mrs. L. Symes, Miss T. Renowden and Messrs. J. Davison and M. Reeves. Consolation prizes went to Miss E. Reynolds and Messrs. L. Kitney, D. McKay and E. Lane.

At a meeting of Meremere residents a committee was formed to attend to the holding of card parties and dances during the winter. The committee elected comprised Mr. G. Williams (chairman), Mr. S. Geary (secretary) and Messrs. J. Bloor and H. Lacey. The ladies’ committee was Misses C. M. I. Webb and M. Wallace. Mr. H. Lacey offered the use of his house. Mr. and Mrs. Foreman have returned from the Waikato. Miss C. Webb has. returned from a holiday at Napier. Mr. and Mrs. D. T. Gardner and family have returned from a holiday. MENACE OF NOXIOUS WEEDS. WIDER POWERS FOR COUNTIES. The menace of weeds on Native lands was the subject of comment at the Farmers’ Union meeting at Hawera yesterday. Further discussion took place on the problem of farms on the boundary of a county where one county might take strict precautions to keep weeds in check and the other be lax. An Awatuna speaker alleged that he had trouble in this way with the Egmont county, and Mr. J. Cocker said he had a similar difficulty with a backblocks farm that adjoined the Stratford county. Both speakers paid tribute to the efficiency of the Eltham county. After a discussion as to whether the present Noxious Weeds Act was satisfactory or whether wider powers should be given county councils the following resolution was passed:—“That while strongly endorsing the endeavours of the Dominion executive to have legislation introduced giving full powers to county councils, in the meantime the Minister of Agriculture should be requested to instruct his officers to rigidly enforce the provisions of the Noxious Weeds Act, especially Section 16, as referring to Native lands.”

TAWHITI NOTES GIFT AFTERNOON HELD. A pleasant afternoon was spent at the racecourse tea-kiosk on Tuesday, when Mrs. J. Young gave a “towel” afternoon in honour of her sister-in-law, Miss Gwen Young, who is to be married next week. . After afternoon tea a beautiful collection of gift towels was opened, and Miss Young returned thanks to the guests. Competition winners were Mesdames Young and A. Tidswell and Misses J. Laurenson, M. Campbell and J. Lippingwell. Euchre Party. Owing to inclement weather and counter attractions only twelve tables were engaged at euchre on Wednesday evening, when the third party of the season was held. Three ladies, Mesdames E. Paterson, L. Burney and Miss Hamilton, tied for first place with 11 games, and in the play-off Mrs. Paterson was the winner, Miss Hamilton being second. Mr. J. Cooper won the men’s prize, Mr. E. Paterson being second. After supper a short dance was held, music being played by the Taiporohenui String Orchestra. Mr. R. Thomson was master of ceremonies. A presentation was made to Miss Gwen Young at a meeting of the Women’s Institute held on Friday. Mention was made of the good work done by Miss Young while secretary of the institute. Miss Young suitably replied. OEO HALL SOCIETY MEETING. GENERAL AND PERSONAL NEWS. The annual meeting of the Oeo Hall Society re-elected the following committee: Messrs.- Masters (chairman), Hughes (secretary), Mitchell and Edwards, with power - to add. Work has been commenced with the painting of the hall, and the committee is undertaking the clearing of the grounds and repairing the hall. Work is being done by the new school committee and • those interested in the school, a number of working bees having been held recently. There was fairly good attendance at a dance organised by the Oeo Men’s Hockey Club on Friday night. Mr. C. Schicker was master of ceremonies. Messrs. W. Ruakere and S. Gordon played extras. A spot waltz was won by Mrs. K. Muggeridge and Mr. F. Maindonald and a Monte Carlo waltz by Miss Brumbly and Mr. R. Thompson. Mrs. M. Shove, a very old resident of Oeo, was a visitor to Oeo last week. She was accompanied by her son.