DUNEDIN FANCIERS' CLUB.

Otago Witness, Issue 2433, 31 October 1900, Page 44

DUNEDIN FANCIERS' CLUB.

The annual meeting of the Dunedin Fanciers' Club was held at the Shamrock Hotel on Friday evening, 23 members being present, <and Mr S. S. Myers (president) was in the chair.

The Secretary read the annual report, which stated that the committee congratulated mem-

bers on the continued usefulness of the club

and the interest displayed' by the ptiblic in their show. The annual show of poultry, pigeons, canaries, cats, and dogs was held on the 28th, 29th, and 30th June last, when the entries exceeded those of the previous year by 60. The quality of the exhibits was also superior to that of former shows, many leading fanciers admitting that this was the case. The show had resulted financially in a gain of £& over that of the previous year, after providing for sundry show accessories at a cost of £9, so that really^hey had gained about £13 by the show, which was considered very satisfactoiy. Miss Flora Watson, of Dunedin, held the club's challenge trophy for the best game bantam in the show; Mr William Goss, of Christchurch, won the N.Z. South Island Poultry Association's trophy for the best Wyandotte ; Mr E. J. Falla, of Wellington, held the club's challenge trophy for the best pigeon in the show; and Mr J. Kerr, of Mornington, had again been successful in winning the club's trophy, valued at £5 ss, for the best canary in the show, and, having won it two years in succession, it was now his absolute property. Mr Kerr also held the N.Z. South Island Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Association's trophy, value £5 ss, for the year 1900.- Mr-F. Rogen, of Evansdale, had again Won the silver cup for the best collie in the show with his champion Alan Breck, and the cup was now his own property. Mr J. J. Ward, of Invercargill, had again won the silver cup for the best retriever in the show, and now held it absolutely. Mr Charles Bills had again been entiu&fced with the fitting up of the poultry coops, dogs' benches, and feeding the birds dogs, and very great credit was due to him for the able manner in which he and his staff attended to the comforts of the exhibits, and for their prompt despatch to owners after the show. The committee had appointed Mr J. Maude, Melbourne, to judge the poultry, pigeons, and dogs,

and this gentleman had given every satisfaction and taken great interest in explaining to exhibitors the different points of the birds and dogs. Mr J. H. 'Luscombe had judged the canaries also with great satisfaction to all concerned. An exhibition by Mr Charles Bills on poultry trussing, which was well attended, had proved interesting and instructive. At the invitation of Mr Spatz, the committee had been entertained yt a social the week following the show, and a very pleasant evening had been

passed. The committee had invited exhibitors and countx-y visitors on the becoiid ni^hi. of the show to a social, when several musical items were rcndci-ed, and all thoroughly enjoyed themselves.

la moving ths adoption of the report, the President said that it was satisfactory to know that thiough the endeavouis of their haidworking committee that year's show had been more prosperous than that of any iorrner year. There was no doubt that they had had an extraordinarily good committee, and it was to be hoped that thsy would be as fortunate m the ensuing year. That the entries had increased largely was a very pleasant fact to all of them, and not alone as regards nuiabors, but in quality. Mr Maude, their Australian judge, had spoken highly of the quality of the exhibits, stating, in regard to some of the classes, that they compared very favourably with eny m the Australian colonies. He (the president) did not see why they should not breed as good birds and dogs here as anywhere. It was desirable that the incoming committee should strive to draw even more attention to the show. In the classes for dressed and trussed poultry they could no doubfc increase the interest by enlisting the sympathies of farmers, who were now going in more than/ever for exporting, 'i'hey aiight also raako a special feature bf classes for eggs, in respect to size, coloxir, etc. Very great interest was taken last year in the hatching of chickens in incubators, and he knew of some who, because of what they saw, had now started as fanoiers, and would no doubt be future exhibitors. He might mention that Mr Roberts, of Abbotsford, had promised a trophy of £& 3s, open to all makes of machines, for tho best percentage of birds to be hatched out during the show, and hrd left it to the committee to work out the details of the competition. Mr Myers then referred in feeling terms to the loss which the fsney had suffered in the death of Mr Sydney James, who was one of the oldest fanciers in the province, and one of the original founders of the society. The president concluded by congratulating the club on its continued prosperity.

Mr Spatz seconded the adoption of the report, which was carried unanimously.

The president, vice-president, secretary, treasurer, and auditors of last year were re-elected, and Mr Snowball was elected hon. veterinary suigcon.

Mr Ferguson moved, and Mr Williams seconded — " That it be a recommendation to the incoming committee to organise an art union in connection with the next show'' — Carried.

The new committee elected comprised the following members : — Mossrs Rose, Morton, Brownlie, Irvine, Webster, Glendining, Torrance, Sennet, Jones, Haivey, Robinson, Hides, Dempster, M'Guire, Cooper, and Williams.

It was announced that the delegates of the various poultry associations in the South Island would meet in Dunedin on November 30.

Tho first meeting of the new committee was fixed for the 19th November.

Votes of thanks were passed to the press and to the chairman, and a special vota of thanks was passed to " Terror " of the Otago Witness Fanciers' Column in recognition of his services to the fancy.