TUAPEKA WEST FARMERS' UNION.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4900, 16 October 1901, Page 3

TUAPEKA WEST FARMERS' UNION.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of tbe Tuapeka West Farmers' Onion was held in the local schoolroom on Saturday evening. There was a fair attendance of members ; Mr P, M'lnerney (President) occupied the chair.

The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed, on the motion of Mr Williams, seconded by Mr Fahey. REPORT AND BALANCE-SHEET. The secretary submitted his annual report, which showed that the Society was still continuing its sphere of usefulness, and that all matters of interest to the Society had been fully attended to. The treasurer's statement showed a credit balance in Bank of £5 5s 9d, with , some small accounts amounting to about ! £5 outstanding; also about £5 of members' subscriptions in arrears. Mr M'lnerney, in moving the adoption of the report, together with the balance-sheet, said it was scarcely necessary for him to say much as the secretary's statement gave a very full and explicit view of their position. He was glad they were still in a satisfactory position, in which, he thought, it ought to be the aim and object of its members to keep thoir Union. He regretted there were some members who were somewhat careless in their attendance at the ordinary meetings when matters affecting tbe agricultural interests were under discussion. He might further add tbat be was very pleased to see the formatiou of a branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union in the Tuapeka district. He thought it was time the farmers had awakened to a sense of their duty, and it was, perhaps, hardly to be regretted tbat things had pressed hard enough to make them come to the front. He hoped that members would stick to the Union and show that they were in earnest, THE LATB SIR JOHN M'KENZIE. The President then stated that as this was their first meeting since tbe death of Sir John M'Xenzie he thought it was only rJ^hfc they shoald pass a motion of condolence to be sent to Lady M'Kenzie and family. As we all belong to a farming community we can all fully understand and all must admit that the late Sir John M'Kenzie was a real land legislator. We, therefore, most sincerely regret his untimely death. There could be no doubt that tbe farming interests were his chief aim and he had not the slightest doubt but that the carrying out of his policy in that direction had taken years off his life. However, I he had initiated a policy which would keep his memory ever green for several years to come, and he had no doubt tbat in years hence they would be even more appreciated. The following motion was moved by the President and seconded by Mr Dalziel and carried : " That the 1 Tuapeka Farmers Union, on this, their first meeting after the death of Sir John M'Kenzie, desire to express to Lady M'Kenzie and family their deep sympathy in their heavy bereavement. They also desire to place on record the heavy loss the country has sustained in the death of its most distinguished statesman, who was throughout bis life the true and faithful friend of the struggling farmer."

The Chairman then stated that his term of office now terminated) bat before leaving the chair he wished to thank the members for tbe kindness and consideration with which he had been treated during the past year. ELECTION OIT OmCEKS. Mr Williams, who was voted to the chair, stated that before they proceeded | with the election of officers he would take the opportunity of proposing a vote of thanks to the retiring officebearers and committee for their services during the past year. The motion was carried by acclamation.

On the motion of Mr M'lnerney, seconded by Mr Smith, Mr Williams was elected President for the ensuing year. Mr Dalziel was elected vice-President and Mr H. Cameron secretary and treasurer.

The following gentlemen were elected a committee : — Messrs Bnlfin, Real, Hart, Fahey, Cochrane, Smith, Muilins, Osborne, Beard, M'lnerney, Baxter and Moor. Mr Williams thanked the members for having eleoted him to the position of President and stated that he wonld give tbe business of the Union his closest attention. On the motion of Mr M'lnerney, seconded by, Mr Beard, the secretary was voted the sum of £5 for his services. The secretary was instructed to notify those in arrears with their accounts and subscriptions.