WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume XVI, Issue 2630, 4 May 1904, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Thk monthly mcoiiiii: of ibo parent club was held at Cambridge on Monday even inij. There was a fair attendance, 'he President (Mr James Forrest) being in the chair. CHAFF BAGS. Mr Sturges reported thie matter had been discussed at the roC'TIt conference, when the action of tho Cambridge branch of the Club was endorsed. NGARUAWAHIA BRANCH. Mr Carless, socretary of this branch, wrote regretting the apathy of its member*. The Club thought he was being badly supported by the farmers of that district. DISEASE IS TURKU'S. Mr T. VV. Kirk, biologist, of the Department of Agr culture, wrote re specimens referred to him :—' Microscopical investigation of the diseased turnips has failed to reveal any cause which could have led to tho destruction of the crop. I shall be glad if jou will send some more samples in various stages of decay. The cause may be due to purely local conditions, and an analysis ol the soil in which tho turnips were grown may throw some light ou the source of the I rouble ' Mr Sturges thought the Department had been rather tardy in replying to the Olub's communication. The crops were now matured, and the stage at which trie damage was done had passed, but the crop was only a half one. THE LATH PRKBIDENT. Mr Jostph B irugh wrote ou March 4th labt :—' I wish to thank the Waikato Farmers' i_lub for its letter which o intains so fellowship. 1 have otteo heard that a mau who spends much time over business otner thun his own is not app eciated. Xam happy to say this is nut my experience, lor on all sides I urn overwhelmed with expressions of appreciation, which far more than repays me for the work I have done. I hope that the Club may prosper, and that its efforts will be crowned 'with success ' The reading of this letter was received with much applause. ■ MUTUAL FIKE INSURANCE. Leters from Messrs Hi. Hall and J W. Wilson re this matter were read, an i Mr William tur.es reported what had been done at the Conference held in Au klaud. All wore to the effect that the offioo for the Waikato would be in Auckland, in conjunction witn the Association thero IneChiirmau said a number ot mem bers had already signed to j lin the Mutual Fire Insurance Association, bur. he must ask all who had signed to be prepared to attend the meeting to be held in Aueklmdas 10 per cent, of tho members had to be present. TEU AUCKLAND FARMERS' FREEZING COMPANY. The Chairman referred to this company and saia matters were just reversed here to what they were in the South Island. There they had to erect freezing works for the stock, but here he was afraid they would have to build up the stock for the freezing works. There aeemed a fatality about most companies started in the North Island, and few paid until they had been reconstructed once or twice, so it would be necessary to exer cise the greatest caution in the initiatory stage. Mr Sturges said the promoters were doing all necessary and were conducting the negotiations in a thoroughly businesslike manner. They were receiving the greatest encouragement in the tvay of shares, £21,000 woith having been taken up. As to there being a shortage of stock there was nothing to fear on that score. Mr Richard Reynolds said there was abundance of stock in the Auckland province, and the returns showed a very large increaso- He then gave some information which went to prove that the Farmers' Freezing Company will be a success. the farmers' club building. Mr Brooks presented a aeport re the state of the building account, and it showed that the receipts during the year had been £6 over the expenditure. This was considered moat satisfactory, and Mr Brooks was accorded a hearty rote of thanks for looking after matters so creditably. THE TAURANGA BULL CASE. A copy of a petition to the Miuister for Justice in re the case Alex. Fleming v. W. Pattersou and Kolit. Seddon was read. It prayed for a re-hearing or a dismissal without ooets to Seddon, and nearly all present attaohed their names. That concluded tho business. ANNUAL MEETING. The annua" meeting of the Club was then held, the same membeis being present. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report Bnd balance-sheet were i hen read by che Secretary as follows: —1 have pleasure in presenting annual report and balance-sheet for the past year In preparing trie s atoment ot accounts I instructed the secret a y to keep the income and expenditure of ihe Cambridge nratiOli accouut and the general account eepiraie, and it will be seen from ihe HtatemeDt prepared thai the genet-.1 account has drawn upon the pirent Clu'i to the extent ot £25 odd, to meet the year's expendituie. During the year ihe General .Executive ommittee passed resolutions authorising the branches to regain Is 3d of their income after deduction of commission for branch expenses, also to contribute 3s per head for pad-up members to the JNew Zealand Farmers' Un on. This arruugement works out as follows : ad 8 d Members' (••■■ ... ... ... 7 6 Cost of collecting 9 Retained try branches ... 2 3 dent to N.55.F. Union ... 3 o—6 0 Contribution to central fund for working expenses 1 6 Thus it vvill be seen that the actual contribution of branches to the central fund is very small. This amount, however, would probably be sufficient if the whole of the members ou the various oranches paid their subscriptions, but, as will be seen from the tollowing figures, a large number of members neglect to pay up, aud in this way hamper tho operations of ho Club. Six out of the ten branches have sent in their returns as required by the regulations, while four others have not yet complied. The following is a return of membership : No. ou roll Paid Unpaid Hamilton ... 77 33 34 Ohaupo 29 19 10 Pateraugi ._ 24 20 4 VVhatawhata ... 16 10 6 Tamahere ... 47 16 31 Tauwhare .... 9 8 1 Cambridge ... 183 122 61 Total ,„ 22S 157 Ngarua>vahia"\ TeK:xr[ N -^ Wairrgaro J Taking last year's figures for these branches will bring the total membership up to 511, and of this number probably not n.oro thun 300 have paid the annual member'd fee, and I would take this opportunity to urge our members to do iheir duty to the club by promptly paying the small fee required. The year has been a prosperous one, the commercial and agricutural interasts of the colony being on a most satisfactory footing, and tinners are to be congratulated on the general progress that is being made. During the year the club has dealt with several matters of importance. The Farmers' Freezing Company, cow an accomplished fact, was iuitiated by the club during tho early part of the year ; the Mutual Fire Insurance Bill, under pressure frnm our members, has become law ; the question of the Crown tenants was discussed and brought prominently before the public ; and various questions of miuor importance have hoeu dealt with. With regard to the Farmers' Mutual Fire Insurance Act, which wo anticipate will ne shortly brought iuto operation, it has been thought advisable for the Waikato to join the Auckland Association at present, and tho names of those willing to joiu such an Association will be received by ihe secretary and forwardod to Auckland. Mr J. Lyons, V.S., very kindly delivered a couise of lectures to members of the club at Hamilton aud Ohaupo during the past ssbsoii, and our best thanks a>-e due to him for his valuable services. The Haniiltou branch has given notice to move at this meeting that tho rules be amended so that tho President be elected by a votu of the members ot the branches. It ths motion is carried the election to this ollice will ueeessurily bo deferred ; if not, it will be part ot your duty this eveuiug t elect your officers tor the ensuing year.—James FuRREST, Presi dent. STATFMBNT l>V ACCOUNTS AT 28TH FEBRUARY, li)U4. Receipts: ba.auoe ot April, 1903. £33 13s lOd j lees collected, £l3 la; total, £Bl Hi lUd.

Kvpeuilituie : M inagemeut expense-. £lB 9s 6i; contribution to Goner* Account, two-thirds of niembe b' fees, net, £2B 2s 4il ; lo.n to General Account, £26 IBs lid ; cash in Bank aud hand, £8 Us Id ; total, £Bl 14s lOd. General Account : Receipts—Donation from Mr Barugh, £7 ; horse parade fees, £'2 ; contributions tiom Parent Club and branches—Cambridge £2B 2s 4d. To Awamutu £3, Waingaro £4 Bs, Ohaupo £5, Tauwhare £3 ss, Paterangi £4 5s Bd, Hamilton £l3 5s 4d, Whatawkata £i 10s, Tamahere £3 2s 3d ; deficiency advanced by Parent Club £26 16s Hd, total £lO2 14s 7d. Expenditure—Travelling expenses £l3 lUs, late Secretary £3, Bind at picnic £5, contribution to New Zealand Farmers' Union £2O. printing and advertising £26 15s, stationery £3 lis 4d, safe £7. two-'hirds -f Secretary's eilary £2O lis; stamps, wires, and exchange £2 17s 3d, sundries 10s ; total, £lO2 14s 7d.— An lited and found correct—!'. J. Brooks and Trios. Wells. The Chairman said they were not in as good a position as they should be, and were certainly worse off than before the branches were establi-hed ; yet some of the branches had passed resolutions wish ing to secede fremi the parent club, notably the le Kowhai branch, whioh had never paid a shilling to the funds. He did not see how it was possible tor the president to live in any o her part of the Waikato, where he could not be in touch with the general sectetary, who resided at Cambridge. The blanches seemed to be dissatisfied, and if as threatened, they joined the Union direct, he was certain the parent cluh would be in a better position. Aa tu Mutual Fire Insurance, he felt that in a few mouths it would be in active operation in the , Waikato. Ar this puiut letters were ' reait from the secretaries of the Hamilton and Tamahere branches, suggesting that 'he branches sh'iuld have a voice in the election of the president. A wire was ai«o rear, in which the better from tne Himiiton branch was asked to be taken ,s a notice of motion. Mr Melville, of Hamilton, said there was not the slightest imontion on the part of the Hamilton branch to interfere wiih the present election, and he said hio branch wnuld be sorry if anyone were nominated against the occupant of the vioe-chair. They wanted to put things on a different basis for the future. (Applause ) He believed the Te Kowhai branch had some grievance against ihe parent club over this very question. He advocated the matter heiog referred to the executive committee, and if that body decided that things should remain as at present, he was sure Himilton would still remain loyal to the pireut club. (Applause.) Mr Robert Fisher said there wm a certain amount of justice in the claim made by the Hamilton and Tamahere branches, especially snch of them as had paid up their subscriptions. Mr E. Allen thought the parent Club was quite within its rights in electing its own chairman. Mr Wells said the branches were asking for what was impossible ; there was not a particle of right or merit in it. The Cambridge branch was the pioueer institution by birth aud seniority, and the very existence of the branches was due to it, and t'ey owned nearly all the privileges it did. It was tnoughtpss of ihe branches to suggest proposals calculated to des roy the very constitution ot the Club. Mr Sturges said all the branches required was a voice in the election if two were nominated for the office. It was not intended to propose a man who would be at a distance from the secretary. Mr Allen said sometime since a similar proposal was made regarding the election of a secretary, but Mr Barugh showed thut it was impracticable. Mr Melville was sorry to hear Mr Wells speak in the manner he had doneIt was not) intended to interfeie with the pareut Cluh in the lea3t degree. Matters had always been coureously referred to it, and, with the exception of a few radicals, right throughout the district it was telt that the concession now being asked fnr would be a binding link between them all. He believed the branches to a man were prepared to honour the parent branch where honour was due. Mr Gane said the proposition was contained in the notice of motion seemed nut of the question. He thought the difficulty might be got over ny appointing a president wi h unofficial duties. Mr Wells said the President was chairman of the Cambridge branch and ex-officio chairman of the whole of the branches beoause ot the seniority of this branch. On the motion of the chairman, seconded by Mr Melville, it was unanimously agreed to refer the matter to the Executive as require i by the rules. ELECTION r.p OFFICERS Tb. 9 chairman said there was one man who was entitled to th» position of President, for he had attended almost every meeting and been mo-fc p-rs* verine iu all matt rs aff-'eting the welfare of the Cluh Mr W. Is. Sturges was the man he referred to, and he had much pleasur i proposing him fjr the o'Hce for the ensuing year. The motion was not seconded. Mr R. Fisher moved and Mr Allen seoonded that Mr Forrest be re-eleoied to the office. Mr Forrest spoke of the insults he had received from Hamilton in being accus-d of not being a friend of the farmer. H« said he had always striven for the good ot his fellow men, and especially the farmer, and the moiion of Messrs Fisher and Allen somewhat condoned tor the misapprehension under which some laboured regarding him. There were a certain number who did not give him credit for anything and he would prefer to have someone elected to the chair under whom things would go smoothly ; but if it were the wish ot the Club he would saciifice himself for a further term. Mr Melville said he was the iodiviiual who had made statements which Mi Forrest termed 'gratuitous insults,' bu' no such insult was intended. He, however, believed that Mr Forrest was out of sympathy with the farmers on the land question. Mr Forrest replied that Mr Melville WB3 much further out in his reckoniog as to the feeling on the land question among the members of the Club, for he had received dozens of congratulations from Club members for the Btaud he took on that very question. M. R. Fisher hoped that in future politics w uld ho tabooed in the Club Mr Wells understood that politics were excluded. r R. Fisher said whatever Mr Forrest's failings may have been, he was sure he always did what he thought was riaht. Mr Forrest : What I know to be right for the farmers. A member here intei jected : Well done, Jatnos. Mr Fisher then put the motion, and Mr Forrest was duly elected nem. con. Mr iiturges was unanimously elected to the vice presidency, Messrs Fisher and Reynolds speaking in oomplimeutaiy terms of the good work he had done. Iu respomiing, Mr Sturges spoke of the dittieulty of getting farmeis to realise tliH importance of unity in questions uffectitig their interests. If acy secession of the branches tooK place it would operate most adversely ou the whole Club. Messrs F. J. Brooks and T Wells were elected auditors. Mr E. Veale was unanimously reelected secretary. The President said Mr Veale was the best secretary he had been associated with. (Applause.) WHATAWHATA BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the above branch was held on Saturday eveoiog. The attendance was moderate, Mr C. £ BlacUott presiding. waikato a. and r. association. The Secretary ef the Waikato A. and P. Association forwarded a copy of peti tion re the incorporation of the Association for signature by I ho Waipa members of the Association. It was decided to assist in the matter. FARMERS' INSURANCE. Mr Edwin Hall wrote, stating that the President of the Farmers' Union was making enquiries as to whether mortgagees would accept policies issued by the Mutual Insurance Company. fabmers' union. The annual balunce-sheet of the Farmers' Union was received. LAND TENURE. The Chairman handed in the petition addressed to the House on the question of laud tenure, with his own and other signatures attached, stating that since the last meeting he had travailed through some districts where the leasehold syßtem was in force aud had gained Borne informition upon the question. Under the ■ Ciiae system, which involved the carrying

• A f c rta n i nprovemen's within a uirrn i'liß. the le sees weieofti-n liiouiiht 10 a full step fjr Waut of capital at a point far short of the completion of all the improvements. It was then that the weakness of the system was shown, as leaseholders were unable to obtain further capital save from the Government, and then in insufficient quantity to complete their improvements. With the freehold tenure the mouey market, including the Government Advances to Settlers' Department, was open to them, and the result would be to bring their properties to a full paying condition, to their individual benetit and to the advantage of the State. Under these circumstances the Chairman said lie willingly signed the petition for the freehold tenure and would assist to bring the change abont. HAMILTON SALEYARDS. The proposed erection by the Hamilton Borough authorities of more convenient aud up-to-date buildings anil yards for the sale of li/e stock was discussed, the members being of opinion that in view of the important and fast-growing farming districts surrounding Hamilton, and which necessarily looked to that town for ouhlic conveniences as well as trade, the borough authoiities were neglectful and dilatory Tne Secretary was requested 'o write to the Mayor of Hamilton on the subject. auctioneers' fees. Some complaints wore received from members that the auctioneers' fees were again going tip, 4 per cent, being charged on the sale of caitle.

The Secretary was requested to ascertain from the patent branch the proper •cale of fees.