BEE-KEEPING IN NELSON DISTRICT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXXII, 6 December 1938, Page 4

BEE-KEEPING IN NELSON DISTRICT

FIELD DAY AT RICHMOND ! an interesting gathering The Beekeeper’s Field Day held on Saturday at the apiary of Mr C. T. Grcig, Richmond, was successfully carried out under rather adverse weather conditions. Mr Grcig extended a welcome to all present and trusted they would find the demonstrations interesting and instructive. Mr Greig then took the opportunity of introducing to those present Mr C. R. Paterson, the newlyappointed Government Apiary Instructon for this district. Mr R. H. K. Thomson of the Cawthron Institute, then gave a very interesting address on his successful experiments in the elimination of objectionable flavours in certain types of honey. Mr Paterson in moving a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr Thomson for coming along and giving such an instructive address, mentioned that Mr Thomson would shortly be leaving for England to further his studies, and he took this opportunity of wishing Mr Thomson an enjoyable voyage coupled with the wish that when his studies were completed he would return to New Zealand and continue his interest in problems of importance to the beekeepers of this country. As the weather cleared an adjournment was made to Mr Grcig’s well kept i apiary where Miss F. I. Field, of Nelson, gave a demonstration on the finding of a queen by the sifting method. Master John Greig then demonstrated the caging and nailing up of a nucleus colony ready for shipment. Afternoon tea was then handed round j by Mrs Greig assisted by the Misses j Greig. An Italian queen been donated ' by Mr Greig was awarded to Miss F. I. Field for winning the honey cooking competition. Mr Paterson handed round a section of honey wrapped in a very attractive celophane wrapper, and stressed the importance of beekeepers wrapping all sections sent on to the market, thus helping to increase the popularity of section honey. A bee mat of New Zealand manufacture which was proving very popular with southern beekeepers was shown by Mr Paterson. A most enjoyable and profitable afternoon was brought to a close by Mr Gilbert of Stoke moving a very hearty vote of thanks to Mr and Mrs Greig and family for their wonderful hospitality. He mentioned that it was about 12 years since a beekeepers’ gathering had been held in this district.

world imports of butler and eggs, al- j 1 though slightly increasing its share of I cheese. Recent years had witnessed an 1 increase in the proportion of the United Kingdom's imports of dairy produce supplied by Empire cauntrics, but this was checked for some of the chief commodities in 1936. and a further reduction, although in most cases small, was! recorded last 3 r ear. Imports of butter into the United Kingdom in 1937, amounting to 9.416.000 cwt., valued at £47.400,000, were the smallest in any year since 1933. Imports from Empire countries comprised j I 5? per cent, of gross imports, as against! i 53 per cent, in 1936 and 57 per cent, in I 1935. NEW ZEALAND'S GREAT SHARE New Zealand was again the principal source of supply, sending a record quantity, 6 per cent, more than in 1936 and comprising 31 per cent, of the total from all sources, but imports from Australia declined by 12 per cent. Prices were for the greater part of the year above the 1936 level. The apparent consumption of butter is estimated at 24.81 b per head, as against 25.01 b in 1936, but margarine consumption rose from 8.61 b per head in 1936 to 8.91 b last year. The United Kingdom’s imports of cbheesc had declined in 1935 and 1936, but recovered in 1937, when a total of 2.937.000 cwt. was imported. Empire supplies were 8 per cent, heavier than in 1936, larger quantities being received from both New Zealand and Canada. The home production of cheese had declined appreciably in 1936 and there was an even greater reduction in 1937, sc that in spite of the heavier imports consumption per head fell to B.Blb, as against 9.01 b in the previous year.