WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB

Waikato Argus, Volume XIV, Issue 1555, 13 May 1903, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB

Tub usual monthly meeting of the Waikato Farmers' Club was held on Monday evening, the President (Mr J. Barugh) in the chair. Mutual Fire Insurance.—Letters were received from Messrs Lang, Herries and Massey, M's.H.R., promising to support the Mutual Fire Insurance Bill to bo introduced next session by Mr Kirkhride, M.H.R. lue Licensin'C Law.—The secretary ot the Tamahere Branch wrote enclosing the following resolutions which were passed at tho la*t meeting:—'That the clauses of the Licensing Act governing the election of licensing committees should be repealed, and that all the powers now exercised by ths li.ensing committees should be vested in the Stipendiary Magistrates and the chairman of local bodies operating in districts where licenses are obtained, the Magistrates to be chairmen of committees as at present.' This was carried unanimously. Anothor resolution was passed—' That the sale of alcoholic liquors should be brought under direct public control, and with a view of getting a decisive expression of public opinion on the question, this meeting affirms the desirability of submitting the question to the people either by a referendum or by adding it as an extra issue'to be voted on at the next local option poll. Should a majority in any licensing district decide in favour of public control, the State shad take over the public houses or as many of them as may be considered necessary at a fair valuation ; that is, the fair value of the land, buildings, and fittings, no allowance whatever being made for goodwill, or what are considered trade rights. In aoy case where proprietary rights are assessed at a figure so much in excess of the real value that agreement is hopeless, new hotels shall be built. The control of all public houses acquired in this way or built shall be vested in the city, borough, county, or other local authority, but all profits above, say, twice the amount ot licensing fees obtained at preFent, shall be paid into the consolidated revenue of the colony, or into the sinking fund in liquidation of the first cost of tho properties.'— Some discussion followed, in the course of which Mr J. Fisher pointed out that * if Chairmen of public bodies were to be members of tho Committees there would be little siving of expense, and suggested that as all real power as to granting licenses is exercised at the poll, the whole business could be safely vested in the Stipendiary Magistrate.—Mr Forrest thought that; the people would not be willing to vest so much power in one man.—The consideration of the question was then adjourned. Lectures by Mr Lyons—A letter was read from Mr Lyons, Government Veterinary, offering to deliver a course of fourteen lectures on veteriuary questions if a fair attendance could be secured. He suggested that each person attending should pay £1 Is, to be applied to the funds of the Farmers' Club—The Secretary of the Tamahere branch wrote, asking the Secretary of the parent club to communicate with all the other branches to ascertain the number of students avail able, so as to fix on central positions suitable for all parties to attend. The branch, however, was of opinion that £1 Is was too high a charge. The question was raised as to whether Mr Lyons offer included more than one series of fourteen lectures.- It was decided to write to Mr Lyons, asking the question, also to communicate with the branches as suggested. New Member—Mr James Hooker, Hautapu, was elected. Paper—A letter was received from Mr Buckeridge, asking that a special meeting be called for the reading of his paper.— It was decided to inform that eentleman that the club could not concede to the request. Protective DuTits —A letter was received from Capt. McPherson covering correspondence between himself and the Customs Department in reference to foregoing the duty of £l6 10s, charged on a road-forming machine on the grounds that it was imported for the sole purpose of making His Majesty's roads. Therequest was refused by the Customs Des partment.—lt was decided to forward the correspondence to the Provincial Executive with a view to its consideratiou by their Congress to be held in Wellington. Election of Officers.—Mr J. Forrest was elected Presideut; Mr Sturgcs, vice-President; Mr Veale, Secretary; Mr ITorrest, Treasurer ; Messrs Brookes and Wells, auditors ; Executive Com> mittee, Messis Barugh, Stone, Allen Anderson and W. "Wallace. Papsalum Dilitatum. —Mr Gillett wrote forwarding samples of this grass, and the following particulars :—lt is grown for dairying purposes in the Rich mond River district, of New South Wales, and the number of cattle carried is astonishing. Mr Williams, Lesimore, Richmond River, owns 100 acres, of this he has 80 acres in Papsalum grass. This carries 40 cows iu full milk, over aud ■ibove the cows ho had also grazing on the same ground 70 head of young cattle. This large number of cattlo received no additional food but the Papsalum grass ou the 80 acres. An agricultural porter for the Melbourne Leader wrote that he saw the stock in good order. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Gillett for his communication, Auctioneers and Coa mission Agents. —Mr U. Caley read a paper on this subject, in the course of which he pointed out that two aecsions ago a Bill was brought before the House entitled'The Land aud Live Stock Act, 1901,' and a Commission was appointed to take evidence on the provisions of the Bill One of the witnesses, an auctioneer of 23 years' standing, stated that under the present conditions auctioneering was not ruu on sound principles. A farmer, in his evideuce, said the auctioneer unjer tho present law is placed in u most wretched position. His chief trouble is that he has two parties to satisfy his clieut and the buyer—and unlesa these two parties agree it is unsatisfactory lor him. The sales the public have the most confidence in are unreserved. It frequently happens at reserve sales that sellers do not know what value to place upon their stock. He knew a case in which a seller, before his stock were put up, offered to sell at £4 10s, and although £5 5s was offered at auction, withdrew them for more money. In such cases buyers would be justified in asking for an upset price before bidding. In all cases it would be more satisfactory if the reserve price were named. Clause 2 of the Bill reads : 'lt shall be the duty of an auctioneer when offering land or live stock for sale by auction to distinctly name the vendor aud the last bidder, whether the land or live stock is sold or not.' I This clause was objected to. Ho could not say why objection was taken to clause 3, which prohibits the vendor, directly or indirectly, to bid. An auctioneer had told him that he was a buyer at his own sales ; he did so in order to regulate the market, and kept an account of his purchases. As a cure for existing evils, Mr Caley eugEcsted that in every case an upset price should be announced —Several members dissented from Mr Caley's views. The matter then dropped. OHAUPO BRANCH. The monthly meeting of tho above was held on Friday evening. About twelve members were present. Mr J. G. Pennikit, chairman. Pamphleis were received from the Agricultural Department, and also several pamphlets, entitled ' Why Farmers should join the Farmers' Union.' which unused uotisideiahln discussion. On the suggestion of the Chairman it was decided thai, members should rend the pamphlets carefully with n view of discussing the matter more fully at next meeting.

Mr 'ireenslade thanked Che members for appointing him delegate n t the lata conference at Auckland, and cave a short account of the work done. Mr Miller brought forward tlo question of seceding from the parent club, and gave notice of motion for next meeting. ' That in the opinion of this branch, the tii.ie has arrived when we should Beci-de from the Cambridge parent club, and affiliate direct as a branch with the New Zealand Union, and that menu bers <.f other branches be cordially invito.! to fake part Jin the debate.' TI.O secretary was authorised to write to the President of the parent club and invite him to attend. The secretary was also authorised to make out a list of members whose subscriptions are in areare, and to notify the same by circular. PATERANGIBRANCH. There were thirteen members present at the meeting held here on Thursday. Mr Ryburu occupied the chair and gave an account of the proceedings of the Conference held at Auckland recently. He had listened to a lecture by Mr Pond ou rust in gr-tin, which was very interesting, showing the causes of rust to be principally a moist season, and with no known remedy. The Oonferencn discussed many important questions, and moat of them, if not all, were passed on to the Colonial Conference to be held in Wellington during the coming session of Parliament. A pamphlet by Mr Wilson, the President of the Union, was handed to members for perusal. The question of storage of food by the Imperial Government in case of war waß touched oa, and a paper on the subject by one of the members will most likely be read at the next meeting.—(Own Correspondent).