WAITAHUNA FARMERS' CLUB.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXIV, Issue 1902, 4 June 1892, Page 3

WAITAHUNA FARMERS' CLUB.

A meeting of the above Club was held in the Good Templars' Hall on Saturday evening last, the members present being — Messrs J. Rose (President), J. Cowen, M. Ryan, R. Craig, R. M'Corkindale, W. Auld, J. Ferris, Adam M'Corkindale, H. Cameron, and C. Hammond. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. CORRESPONDENCE. Mr Thomas Murray, Mangapai, Auckland, forwarded plans and specifications of the trap he recommends for rabbit-catching, and also stated that his plan had not yet been tried, but he had no doubt of its efficacy.— After a good deal of consideration had been given to the plans and specifications, it was decided to allow the subject to stand over for further and more detailed examination, the President being appointed to consider it in detail and report at next meeting. The Wellington Philosophical Society wrote drawing the attention of the club to the desirability of petitioning Parliament to establish a fully-equipped Agricultural Department, as in their opinion it was absolutely necessary in the interests of the farming community, and enclosing an abstract of a speech delivered by Mr W. M. Maskell, F.R.M.S., made before the Wellington Philosophical Society on the subject. — Consideration of circular deferred till next meetinn. THE CLUB'S SHEEP DIP. The Secretary reported that a codsiderable number of the settlers had availed themselves of the use of the Club's sheep dip, and expressed themselves much pleased with the satisfactory arrangements made by the Club for carrying out dipping operations. There had been 5,200 sheep up to date put through without a single hitch. There was no doubt the dip would be more extensively used by the settlers next year, as it was both economical and convenient. THE LOCAL POSTAL ARRANGEMENTS. Mr W. Auld brought under the notice of the Club the present unsatisfactory arrangements with regard to the conveyance of mails to and from Waitahuna and Dunedin. He pointed out that at present there was only one train a day leaving Waitahuna for Dunedin, the 3.30 p.m. train taking letters direct from Waitahuna, the 7 a.m. train to Dunedin not taking any mails direct from Waitahuna. He failed to see whyiihe morning train should not carry the local mails direct. Any letters at present posted at Waitahuna after the departure of the 3.30 p.m. train wjere forwarded to Lawrence by the 8.20 p.m. train; and all letters posted after that train left were not forwarded until the next afternoon by the 3.30 p.m. train. These letters arrived late for the mail delivery in Dunedin, and a whole day was, therefore, lost before a reply could be received. This delay was of serious consequence to business people and others, and could very easily be remedied at little or no trouble or expense to the posfcal department by all local letters posted for Dunedin being made up and sent on direct. The afternoon and evening letters could be made up and sent from Waitahuna by the 7 a.m. train to Dunedin, and by that means a clear day would be gained and two postal deliveries secured. The same remarks applied to the 4.40 p.m. train leaving Dunedin. The mails by it could be delivered at Waitahuna the same evening, or the next morning by the latest. He would, therefore, move : " That the Secretary be instructed to write to Mr Butt, Chief Postmaster, Dunedin, drawing his attention to the present unsatisfactory postal arrangements at Waitahuna, and respectfully requesting him to make an alteration, in the manner indicated." — Carried. LOADING BANK AT JOHNSTON STATION. After some discussion on the present unsatisfactory arrangements for loading and discharging trucks at Johnston station, the Secretary was instructed, on the motion of Mr Craig, seconded by Mr Cameron, to write to the Railway Department drawing their attention to the same and respectfully requesting that a loading bank be constructed, as it was very necessary for the convenience of loading and unloading at that station. — Mr Craig, in speaking to the motion, stated that Johnston station would be more generally used by the settlers at Murray's Flat if a loading bank was constructed there, as, from the want of such •onvenience, many settlers preferred going to Waitahuna station, causing a considerable loss of time and extra labour. THE CLUB'S NEXT MEETING. On account of nratters of importance coming up for consideration at next meeting, the Secretary was instructed to advertise it in the local paper. ACCOUNTS. Accounts amounting to £6 13s 2d were passed for payment. This was all the business.