EGG CIRCLES.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIII, Issue XLIII, 11 December 1909, Page 1

EGG CIRCLES.

The Danish system of egg circles has been in. operation in South Australia for some time, ahd it is probablo that Victoria will shortly establish a similar system, th • Victorian Minister for Agriculture having recently sent an expert to South Australia to make full inquiries in regard to the working of the system. In Adelaide the middlemen at first resented the Government taking any action; but the •'e'rele" movement lias been so satisfactory to the poiiltryman that he is obtaining, ld a dozen over market price for his eggs. The regulations drafted by the South" Australian Government in forming the egg circle system will doubtless be interesting to many of our readers, and they are therefore given in detail as follows: — 1. Each circle must consist of noi less than 15 members. 2. A committee of three and an auditor shall be elected by the members to hold office for one year, and to be eligible for re-election. 3. The committee shall elect a see i-etary from among the members of the circle, and the secretary shall have a deliberative vote in the affairs of the committee, and remain in office so long as he may give satisfaction to the committee. Tho committee shall ilso elect a chairman. 4. The secretary shall also act as treasurer. 5. The chairman .shall have a casting vote as well as a deliberative vote. 6. The.secretary shall receive the egg's from the members,'and test, pack and forward to the .Government Pro duce Depot, POrt Adelaide, or City Depot, as may be arranged. Account? for freight.to be forwarded to organising secretary for payment. 7. The secretary shall be paid by the Adelaide office for his services at the rato of OVA a. dozen on all eggs passed by the Government tester. 8. Suitable cases to be branded with ■ the name of the circle will bo lent by the Government free of cost for the first year. • ..' ',*#*? J 9. Each member shall gather egg: every day and deliver to the secretary not less than once per week during winter months, and twice py: week in the summer. Eggs nii^st be 'stamped by memffers on largo end. 10. Members must deliver to the secretary all eggs produced with the exception pf those required for household and breeding purposes. 11. Each member sMill deposit the sum of .-Bs With the yoc.il secretary as a guarantee of bona fides. Such deposits to-be, paid into the circle's bank. . '_ 12. Any member may resign membership upon giving a reason which is satisfactory to the committee. - In theso cases tho deposit of 5s will be refunded. As it is vitally important that the circle should not bu broken, any member leaving through indifference or lack of interest shall forfeit the deposit of ss.

13 Upon delivery of eggs, the secretary shall pay cash to full local value Price to be paid will be advised to each circle by the organising secretary. ' 14 The balance from proceeds ot sales, less working expenses, will be remitted to the circle e,very three months. . ■ 15. In order to allow for payment .to members on delivery of eggs during period of organisation the' Government will make arrangements' to provide funds free of interest for each circle. . , 16 Once a week, or oftener when necessary, on days to be named by the ! organising secretary, the secretary of I each circle shall forward eggs to the produce depot, Port Adelaide, or cit.depbt, as may be arranged; 17. Immediately the organisation is complete, advances, free of interest, and the free loan of egg cases shall cease. - „.' . 18. Each member shall be suppliea with a rubber stamp, ink pad, and egg book, the stamp to bear number of member and number of circle 19. Dirty or stale eggs will not be received by tho secretary. Any member who delivers dirty or stale eggs-s-rhall be warned on the first offence, for the second offence will be fined, ls, for the third 4s, and on a repetition of the offence will be expelled. Fines, to be deducted from deposit. In^his matter the circle committee '^ decision shall be final. 20. Once in overy year the circle committee shall call a meeting ofmembers. At this meeting a report and balance sheet must be produced-, now committee elected, and any other business transacted. Members may have a special meeting called at any time by requisition to the committee signed by nine members. 21. The circle committee may meet as often as may be necessary; but no.t less than once a month. 22. Each circle shall be registered on the books of the department, and in his dealings the organising secretary will communicate with the secretary of the circle. A list of members shall be supplied by the circle secretary to the organising secretary, and. j alteration on account of deaths, resignations, or frehsi members' shall be promptly advised by the circle secretary. 22 The secretary of each circle shall keep the necessary books to clearly show the dealings with each member. , the business with Ihe depot, and the deliberations of the committee. To secure uniformity all books and materi al wi:i be supplied by the Government at cost price. 24. Carriage on broken eggs shall be distributed pro rata amongst the members. With the specially constructed cases the percentage should Ibo small. The organism? secretary shall advise the local secretary of all bad, cracked, or broken eggs, giving che nTimber stamped thereon. • Whenever necessary at a special general meeting, the members/ . nitty make further rules for . the government of the.ciTCle, such amendments to be confirmed by the Minister, of Agriculture before' being put into operation.