NORTH OTAGO BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION

North Otago Times, Volume C, Issue 13177, 5 October 1914, Page 1

NORTH OTAGO BEEKEEPERS' ASSOCIATION

The nnnii.il inert ing of members of the above Association was Held'on,Saturday afternoon in the Atliciucum Chesß-rpoin, wlinn there wan a fair attendance, principally of country .members,

The President (Mr 13, Smith) was in the chair, anil, after the minutes of the previous meeting had been adopted, said that ho took this opportunity to say that members an a -whole had not taken the interest in the Association during the year that they should have, 'winch, was not encouraging |o those who would like to ,see a forward movement in the Association, I o find that very few rolled up to the usual meet-, ings, but he hoped to see them much better attended in the future, The annual report for the year was read ns follows; Your committee desire, in presenting their annual report, to slate tlint- the ben-taping industry in Nort|h Otngn should be on the increase, and that advantage should be taken by a greater number hf the settlers in this most favourable district to extend its development in all directions, but we find that this is not so, as shown by the limited number of bee-keepers that have been registered, or arc known, in North Otngo, Your Association has endeavoured to stimulate those who have a few colonies of bees to greater exertions, and also to induce others to devote a small portion of their spare time to rearing, a few colonies, as wo are sure that if they did so it would prove both profitable nud interesting to them, even if-they only ventured on an experimental trial with a few hives, This Association litis succeeded, with the assistance of Mr Harp, the Government inspector, in-checking the spread of foul brood,, which a year or two ago threatened to destroy the greater proportion of hives throughout North Otago. Mr Earp was present at the meeting held in Novciubor, as Was also Mr Brickell, secretary of the Now Zealand National Uce-kecpers' Association. -Mr. Brickell strongly urged this Association to.jointho National Association, detailing tho numerous advantages that would accrue to members, advantages' that would outwegh all other, considerations. • However, after due consideration had been given of tho matter by'.the members at Subsequent meetings, on the. points, which 'would most affect.this Association, n motion declding-not to join the National Association was carried unair inoush Mr Hup explained the sub ]Cit nnttei of a Rill tint was lining i biought befoio l'mlnmcnt lelilmg to the legislation of hceliocpeis Theie nnsflholii Hip Hill a ihuscifplating | that I ho Libels on honc\ pis should h-uo tho net weight, as well as, the I name of the piodncei, stated theieon, which Mi Hup said would be- lo tho I ad\ milage ot nil bookeepoia Tlio As I soeiation has been of nd\antage In its members m assisting them In securing Ihe best sliam of quoen bees fiorn re pled apiaries in,tho Dominion, which has "been beneficial in strengthening theJuvea, aB well ao proyuigirenuinera-

tivo to mombors in gonornl, The cold ami wot weather prevailing through' out 'the 'month'"of not ,to'ii; mtccpssfiil^hphby:.- sea- ; jiijiij hft n; nnini)p v; of colbiiipV woro;muoh; - 1 * •' t' of suppiios—iiidocil, sonici colonics '(iiod rtltqgctjipr, '■; :Bnt %eoirf])or brptight! asba'sonnbjo change, affording nmplo'fcod' "for the- boos/nwl so by ~tho end of the mm _ tlio lioridy roturha; ns stated by; memVdrs,. Wns.ono of. the lion viest - for yogi's, .' Thp .prices of honoy and its disposal linyp, boon fully discussed nt oiiq : or t.SV.b of. our meetings, and nionns wci'O.bpingdoyised.by.tlio Association, .whielrit is":hoped will, prove more.satisfactory tp .the producers in-assisting, itiipm-: to obtain a fair an<l,morp reliable majkrt value for their houoy' in : future.; A.motion was adopted af one; ;of, last, year's' meetingsvn-hereby the niii|l)ier of:meetings was reduced-from; 'tjWelveto six .'for the year. This was done principally to'ensure a better and 'more regular ■attendance of- members, as .sonic qf the monthly meetings;'somewhat interfered in n measure with .farm work,in the busy,season. However, the niotion was rescinded, and to meet monthly for a given time was adopted, ami seven meetings': have been . hold, others lapsing for Want of a quorum, It is to be regretted that the memborship has not improved, the number on the roll.being about the samo aR last, year, but wo are pleased to stn.to that there is a small balance standing to the credit of the Association, Tlio sheet, which showed, n credit of £4,.'ls fid, was, along with the report, adopted.

The election of oifiec-benrdrs for the year was'as follows:—President, Mr E. Smith ■ (Waitnki) (re-elected); vicepresidents, Mr J. Allan (Oaninru) ami Mr Lindsay (Mnhcno); secretary (Mr AV. D. Esther (Waiarokn); treasurer Mr A, Frew '(Oamani); auditor Mr E. T, Earl (Oamarti); committee, Messrs 0. McDonald (Alma), IT. Nicholson (Pukeuri), and A, Headland (Oaninru). Mr Smith, in thanking those present for Hie honour conferral in placing him in the chair for-a second term, said, thai something -mow should be done by I ho. Association to indncn. members to take more interest in the work, and that field days should be inaugurate'! where the practical work of the hive could bo exhibited, such as re-queening, foul brood colls shown, and a general understanding how bees should bo handled given on these outings., lie trusted Hint all meetings in future would be better attended'.

Two country members extended inA:it«lioiis.io,.nlj,l)PJniiKiiig : In llio pi;llif!«,,:to, yjsit' llinir, apiaries, and thought the best time would be early in December, as miicli valuable information could be given then. Arrangements for n field day would be considered at next meeting. The President said that now was the time that some, arrangement should bo made for the supply of queens,—Mr Lindsay said (hat lie was. convinced from his experience I hat the Black bees.were miieli boiler llimi llio Mmm, and' that they should adopt the Blncks.-Mr Headland was of the same opinion; in fact, ho had nil along proferred the Blacks, in thai; they were not given so much |o robbing, Mr Nicholson said Hint llio Italians woro the bees Hint suited him best, and that I hoy give better returns, which he hnd proved. Mr Nicholson was of the opinion -Hint they wore groat robbers, but whnt they wanted was to counteract that, and the way was to got all Italians. It was agreed that tho secretary communicate with merchants in Hio lnrge centres as to tho best means in which their honey can be disposed of in the future. ' . • A motion, proposed by. tho Prosidont, was earned that two guineas be donated to the lion, secretary for the able manner in which he had fulfilled the duties of his ofllce, A vote of thnnks to tlio chair closed the meeting, '