FARMERS UNION SOCIAL.

Gisborne Times, Volume IX, Issue 869, 20 April 1903, Page 2

FARMERS UNION SOCIAL.

There was a good attendance on Saturday evening in the Farmers' Union Club, Lowe street, when a very enjoyable social was held. Mr C. .T. Parker presided. The toast of “ The King ” was proposed by the Chairman, and responded to with musical honors. Mr Birrell followed with a spirited rendering of “ The March of the Cameron Men,” for which ho was loudly applauded. Mr A. F. Kennedy, whoso elocutionary powers are recognised throughout the district, gave a humorous story of special interest to fanners. Mr ’E. P. 5 o\cc, iii proposing “The Commerce of Gisborne and District,” coupled with the names of Messrs Kennedy and Bright, said that the prosperity of the district was evident to all, and the district was going ahead by leaps and hounds. They required to urge on the Government to open up native lands for

settlement. He considered that the Government should devote more attention to this district, which was one of the aiosl

prosperous in the eoiony. They wanted the railway pushed on to the Moiu. Air D. Parker, who was in good voice, sang '■ In Happy Moments.” In the course oi his reply Mr Bright said that this year over 309,000 fat sheep would bo exported from Poverty Bay. The dairy industry promised to greatly enhance the future of Poverty Bay. Ho considered the land of .Poverty Bay was better than anything in the colony. One client of his firm’s had received .£llsO for a crop of maize oil 70 acres, and this was for tho eighth successive crop. So delighted was ha with the progress of the place that he would not change his location for any part of New Zealand. Ho had oeen offered an appointment in a larger centre, hut he preferred to remain in Gisborne simply because he had unbounded confidence in the future of the place.

Mr A. P. Kennedy, after briefly referring to the progress made by Poverty Bay during recent years, touched upou the subject of the geographical position of Gisborne and its harbor works. He considered that the best use should he made ot toe harbor works, which he did not altogether look upon as a failure. Vessels of light draught could, he said, be brought up to tiie wharf, whilst the large ocean mers could lie at a sale anchorage, and

load at less cost than ut any port m the cuiuiiy. In Napier, Wellington, and elsevvdbi'e, wiiere there were inland works, tiicie was die expense of trucking, and this they did not have in Gisborne. He had every coufideuec in tho future of the district.

Mr if. Parksr gave a good rendering of ii- n Bolt,” fur which lie was applauded. Mr H. ilul sang m capital style -‘ The idolaters in the Park,” and in response to a hearty encore gave a clover rendering of

Pm Alright.” Mr S. Bolton followed with a pianoforte selection, which was much appreciated.

The toast of •• The Farmers' Union,” coupled with the names of Messrs Clayton and Birrell, was proposed by Mr \V. B. Common, who in the course of his remarks said that the establishment of the Farmers’ Union marked a red letter day in tho history of Poverty Bay. Union meant strength, and when they saw that every other section of tiie community had cumLiutJ it was high time that the farmers in their own interests did the same. They bad no reason to fear the result of their cii’urts, for they had seen during the last 25 3 ears what had been done in Gisborne. A barren wilderness hud been turned into a fruitful field, and the strong and resolute- men he saw

around him that evening convinced him that they wouid not fail in whatever they undertook. He had much pleasure in proposing the toast entrusted to him. Upon my Word ” was sung by Mr B. •Jones, who was well received. Mr Clayton said that he looked to the Farmers’ Union to become the chief power in the laud. The farmers were the primary producers in the colony, and all other industries were dependent upou them. The laboring classes were equally concerned, as their living depended upon the success of the farmers. If the farmer did net prosper Gisborne would not go ahead. He though: that the interests of the farmers should be recognised by toe Government-, more especially when it was realised that 00 per cent, oi the exports represented farming produce.

Me Birrell, in the course oi an excellent speech, touched ou a number of matters discussed at the conference) including the

qu- .-liviu M hrhtevina. wharfage, and ; ■ ,i- .II - was anxious to see the I a ::!< r m .1. ■‘ 1 v ..1 the c lib rooms (:-.er im-.-.e-i in tinvi the u-:i i . lie was quite pieneed in sur:i L-r hi< pvlitic.i! views ii i.:.- i- i ui 1 be adVi. wed ;y ■ ildiy. 77 - pb.iisi). 1 i--■ .ii.-. 1 \ii F.iTu.i s-mg I c.uLln't ; help ' i • Tni j ) irvii vi insi v”w is prr-nnscil I ; .-y .V" A r. 'K. u,..y. who said that he ! . -i li.'i'd; v ; si::■ a, eoi’i'.ing P with tin i 111 -i 1 !W0 0. 11l I:- I 11:0 i-nlus . v I be-r- i. su n ai.d Be.l. Tiu- industry sv»-

. 1 1 yi. ;t- ii.t-tuty . Tii-.v lat i two eoi;. alive f .ciofb < :-.n-i ■ c pi npvictary t.,lie. i-n. an i 1:0 vus cviili-ir-ut that there w -.. i u l mm . -or, . 1! •bn 1 nil ! inter i lew v. it:: n m i . from Victoria, who

-- it- l liiat the .i urying inuustrv had done wonders ior the western district, and p: ople were sati.-ii-jd to pay tro-u Too to XiO per acre for tlats with a carrying capacity of one cow to three acres. It would not : ike two u.-ies of the rich llats of Poverty Lay to carry one cow. and tiie inihisiiy u ;* , n donut adding iroiu £~> to per acre to tut- value oi tile laud. A prominent banker in Gisborne informed nim that a client embarked --u dairy farming a few years ago, taking up a small leasehold, and with a capital of ii-bt). lie was to-day worth from X7UU to A'-bUO. Mr C. McFiu-hmo sang “The Place W in-re the Old Ilorse Died.” Mr W. D. i.Ysuar, in replying to the toast of the dairy industry, highly eulogised the climate and soil of Poverty Bay, which compared favorably with other parts oi the colony. Mr Beil hoped to see dozens of factories in the Poverty Bay district. He did not know how Waimata would do. Mr Dysnar stated that lie had hoard on good authority that the whole of Mr McPhail’s property had been sold. (Applause.) Mr Kennedy’s recitation, “ The Irishman’s l iti.-rpretatiiin of Excelsior,” was

received witu applause. Mr L. Clayton followed with the song. “ Ora Pro Nobis.” The health of Mr Bolton, the accompanist, was duly honored. The toast of the “ Press ” was proposed in a neat speech by Mr bomerviile, and was duly responded to by toe representatives present. Mr Bell sang “ Up in the Morning,” with great success. Mr F. Parker’s recitation, *• How McGuinness was Christened,” was an excellent item. The health of the Chairman (Mr 0. J. Parker) was proposed by Mr Bright, and was heartily responded to. Mr Bees sang “ If Anybody Knows a Thing or Two,” in capital style. The singing of “ Auld Dang Syne ” terminated a pleasant evening.