HONEY PRODUCTION

Southland Times, Issue 23948, 14 October 1939, Page 14

HONEY PRODUCTION

BRIGHT PROSPECTS ON EAST COAST

There are bright prospects for the production of honey on a comprehensive scale in parts of the East Coast territory, according to observations made during a recent visit by Mr G. V. WestGovernment apiary instructor. On his return to Hastings he mentioned that the old illegal box hives had been very much in evidence where bees were being kept in this part of the country, but following on advice he had given on the subject they were now being rapidly changed to up-to-date and economical methods. .

Many of the hives were in a shocking condition, being formed with all sorts of old boxes. Such wasteful hives had been illegal for many years, and the general practice had been to destroy them immediately. However, there was no disease, and under the present war conditions Mr Westbrooke felt he would be acting in accordance with the appeal of the Minister of Agriculture to encourage production by extending a little latitude if the owners were prepared to play their part by putting the bees under modern conditions The beekeepers in the Poverty Bay and East Coast, Mr Westbrooke said, were particularly keen now that they had been placed on the right track. As a result of his visit they had formed a branch of the National Beekeepers’ Association.