BEEKEEPERS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18399, 4 June 1925, Page 11

BEEKEEPERS.

NATIONAL CONFERENCE. SOME SALIENT POINTS. (srscuL to ":hx GREYMOUTH, June 3. As was perfectly natural, t-ho Mayor of Greymouth i.Mr W. H. Farfitt.i. in welcoming tho delegates to the National Beekeepers' Association's conference, emphasised the unique quality of West. Coast houey. From Murchiscn to South Wcstland, lie remarked, the rata blossomed end experts recognised that rata blossoms were great blossoms for honey, Mr J. O'Brien, M.P., remarked that Ixo had provided the manager of Bellamy's -with somo of this ntta honey, and it von high praise from members of both Houses. "'ln fact," added Mr O'Brion, "the manager of Bellamy's Grants to get in a good supply of rata honcv t-o keep members in good humour during the coming session." In the course of his presidential address, Mr A. R. Bates (Kaponga) expressed a hope that tho Department of Agriculture "would be able to see its way to allow Mr Waters, of tho Biological Department, to continue research work dealing with honey aud with diseases of the bee. Commenting on the fact that a much larger quantity of honej - could Iks consumed in New Zealand, he said it had been suggested that a Honey Week should bo instituted throughout the Dominion in order to bring honey as an article of diet more prominently before tho public. He was convinced that if a more attractive system of parking were adopted by many beekeepers it would go a long way to increase the demand Dealing with exports, ho statol that up to May 20th last 8338 cases had been shipped, on which £18,590 had been advanced to the producers. J.t was estimated that IGQO tons had beiTn produced this last season, of which approximately 900 tons would be consumed in the Dominion. Auckland province headed the list with 3904 cases exported, for which producers had received £8320 as a first advance. At Grcvmouth 80J tons had been graded, and large lines were coming forward. Southland exported 800 cases and Taranaki 558 cases. The balr.noo was fairly evenly distributed between Wellington, Canterbury, South Canterbury and Marlborough. These figures wero not final, as much, honey was still awaiting grading. Mr J. A. Cann>b?ll. Director of Horticulture, in the course of lus ad. dress to the conference, said, that for a young industry the export trade in honev had made considerable progress. The interests of beekeepers were being well looked after by their co-operative association, which was watching their interests closely and was doing its utmost. to place the industry on a sound footing, and had established ar.i excellent marketing organisation in London. Matters might-not be progressing as rapidly as some would like, but they wero progressing on sound lines, and it only required the co-operation of producers, such as had been given in the past, to ensuro complete success. The work of the Department had been well maintained during the year, not only as regards instruction, but also in the matter of the control of disease. The engagement of half-time beekeeperinspectors lad operated very successfully, and would be continued. It was proposed to move further afield with the intention: of covering the whole of New Zealand, with' the object of cleaning; out disease as far as possible. The information derived from this house to house inspection gave a better opportunity for the eradication of disease in the ne?.r future.

Probably the matter which' created most general interest amongst those attending the' conference was the address given by Mr W. B. Bray (Barry's Bay), in which he described in detail the application of.. • electricity to the problem of the. economic, treatment of uncappings.. He-..explained the method by which he had adapted the principles of the • electric oven to the melting of cappings. The ' trouble experienced hitherto, ha said, was to get the honey separated without discolouring it through the over-application of heat, the propolis and other foreign matter in tho cappings staining the honey when it was in contact under heat. Under his method tho cappings were placed in an electric oven on cheese-cloth, which was supported by wire-mesh trays, which in turn were supported on ridges so that the melted.honey was caught in a receptacle beneath. The wax melted last, and the slumgum was loft on tho cheese-cloth. The maximum heat applied was no't sufficient to melt the solder of the trays, but quite sufficient to treat the cappings from threequarters of a, ton of honey in six hours at-the cost of one shilling. With tho exception of one-hour's work in loading and unloading the oven, the process did not necessitate the beekeeper's personal attention. Sir Bray utilised two 600watt. heat elements at 230 volts.

Experts who heard Mr Bray's exposition of .this method concur in the opinion that it possesses great possibilities, and might also be applied to the treatment of inferior grades of honey, and improve them by drawing'off superfluous moisture.

Speaking of the progress made since the introduction of the Apiaries Act, Mr E. A. • Ea.rp, C'hief Apiary Instructor, stated that in 1906 there wero 1n,396 beekeepers, who produced 1,013,9401b of honey and 33,6521b of wax. In 1923 there were 469 a beekeepers, whose production of honey totalled 2,930,4371b. This, he said, showed that the Act which came into force in 1907 had operated beneficially.