NELSON POULTRY ASSOCIATION

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLVIII, 19 December 1914, Page 5

NELSON POULTRY ASSOCIATION

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Nelson Poultry Association was' held in Mercer's Room last evening. There was a large attendance of members, with tho President (Mr H. Baigent) in tho chair. . The annual report state: — . "The members will learn with pleasu'ro the satisfactory financial position of the Association, which is now entirely out of debt, and enjoying the unique privilege of having a small credit balance. Tho year's work and profit were such that it enabled your executive to call in tho last of the *£s debentures, issued by the Association about 20 years ago to purchase the necessary plant for show purposes. Our assets at the present time-are valued at about £550. % "Entries for the show exceeded those for last year by 137, and the continued support again accorded to the old time popular breeds, helped to make tho show one of the best held for many years. Tho show was of only two days' duration this year, instead of the three in former years, and although this action was approvod by various poultry writers, your executive are of opinion" that wo should revert back to the old system. "The Government should bo urged to assist, the poultry fancy, in the .samemanner as the fruit industry is assisted by way of cheap transit for ' ona fido exhibits at the various shows in the Dominion. Another matter that requires tho attention of members and noulb-v keepers is the exorbitant price of fowl. feed. United efforts should bo made not only through the member for tho district, but the Championship Association should arrange for a deputation to wait on the Premier, asking the -Government to assist the fanciers and poultrymen in obtaining feed at a reasonable figure, otherwise an industry which is assuming considerable proportions, -will. receive a lengthy check, which will undoubtedly be fatal to the fancy and industry f cr sWe time. "This is the Association's second year under the guidance of the N.Z. Association, and the outside support r wo re : ceived justifies the choice we have made. ....

"The art union this year was held in conjunction with the affiliated clubs ' of' tho NZ. Association, arid proved most successful, especially for Nelson, as Ave fortunately annexed the first and second prizes, valued at £65. The thanks of the Association are due to the donors of special prizes. "The judging of the poultry section was again entrusted to local judges, and the members' thank are due to Messrs J. Hickey, F. Coleman, E. 33. Martin,, A. G. Betts, and J. A. Stringer for. their invaluable services. Mr W. Bailey,,.of Wellington, judged the canaries, and also gained favour from the .Association .-, in adjudicating in the pigeon classes, as the judge selected ,Mr A. H. Guthrie) was unable to obtain the. necessary leave to visit Nelson at the same moment. . "During the .year the Association haS lost one of its oldest and mostmembers; in Mr G. A. Macquarie, wnpsesterling worth and love for. the fancy wei*e appreciated by all. He" .was the Patron of the Association .for many years. The Association has to rbmemb"er with pride the members ,who have been connected with it for long years. It. was | *ily through their exertion and, foresight '{he early that the Asociatsioh ' occupy +Vi« position now enjoyed. Special.thanks were due <« Mr J - A.-Stringer, for his, usual efforts on behalf of. the AS The a Sort - and balance-sheet:" were adopted, member* ,? x P™f ing great satisfaction at the statS' finances ; , Officers were . elected as ■ $.£SJ££T Patron, Mr G. A.fHarknfifS ?,s«b-patrons, Dr v Lucas,-Messrs James )1 00 P* , H - v»-" Duncan; president,.Mr H. B^f^ vicepresidents, Messrs W. W. Snocfe\ £- W. Shallcrass, E.;T. Savage, t : n. F. O. Hamilton, W. "ColomfliT^ \ £« Hockey, J. A. Stringer, W. H. Siffi|!*> ?on. F. Coleman. F. Plum, A. S- Betts; H. C. Jacka, C Eggers,. H. H. ..W.ost, T. Barrett,. S. Y. Wearing: crtmtoittoe,. Messrs E. D. Barry, j. .Morcom, ■. W. Tvurd, N. and T. Tibbie, J. Webley, H. Hockey, W. Mitchener,,. A. Simpson, A. Hus-eins, J. Blundell, W. Braum, O. TCinV. F. Gledhill, F. Malorny, A. F&l----oonbridgo'F. Cook, H. Simpson, C. Taylor; custodian, Mr J. Hockey; treasurer, Mr J. A. Stringer,- secretary, Mr Frank Gibbons; auditor,'. Mr F. A. Bamford; caretaker,. Mr E. B, Martin. . . Two hew members were, elected: It was resolved that a deputation Wait on MrT. A. H. Field, M.P...for,Nelson, in regard to the nrice of wheat, Arid also that the N.Z. Association he.wired to and askpd to appoint 'a deputation to the Premier on the same.matter. , .;.,.,, The meeting closed with the customary votes of thanks, to donors of ; specials, the Press, .officers, and the chairman. DEPUTATION TO MR FIEIJD, M:P. Following on the resolution passeoVlasfc evening a deputation waited on Mr Field this morning.': It was composed' of Messrs H. Baigent (president) F. Gibbons (Be** 'Wary), J. A. Stringer (Treasurer), and F. .Coleman.. : • ut. ~ ■ t Mr Baigeiit explained the ..object oi the deputation and expressed: a./hope that Mr Field would use his influence towards securing a supply of wheat., at a reasonable figure. , :.v. ; i.r, Mr F. Coleman said the Association was acting in the interests of .the; utihty 3tryman..as well as of the fancier The Association was prepared to take 100 sacks of the Canadian supply which the Government was/ procuring and would undertake to distribute this Pihongst poultrymen at cost price. ut& rSed to the extent of the Jommwn poultry industry and hoped .Mr ■Jield would make. strong «Tff.esentßtaOT to. the Government -with a view to tho pneo of wheat being restricted. Mr Field, in reply, was, sympathetic, with' the aims of the deputation said" he thought a srood case had, been made out. He would do all he could in fixation this nuWjjjg' wired to the. secretary, of the.New ZeaWLPoultry Association at Wellington, askinor him to arrange a deputation to the Premier. ,