AUCKLAND POULTRY ASSOCIATION. ANNUAL MEETING. Auckland, August 27.

Te Aroha News, Volume VI, Issue 295, 1 September 1888, Page 3

AUCKLAND POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. Auckland, August 27.

Tiijs annual meeting of tie Auckland Poultry, Pigeon, Canary, and Dog Association washeld at the City Buffet lastevening. There was a large attendance of members. Mr A. H. Grainger, President of the Society, occupied the chair. Mr E. S. Y. Mowbray, Secretary, read the minutes of the last meeting, which were confirmed. The President, in oj. ening the proceedings, said : The importance of such an Association as ours is not generally recognised by the outride public, 1 mean outside the poulcry woild ; but when we consider the number of birds that weekly pass hands and find their way to our shipping, hotels, and restaurants, as well a& to private table&j when we think of the quantity of eggs that are daily used in this city, then I think it would be well for those who feel inclined to ask us what is the benefit of our Society, to give u& credit for being of some use in endeavouring, each according to our ownfancy as 1 regards breed to vie with hia neighbour in producing the best. A few years ago (I have not got the latest statistics) England imported an average of over one and a half millions of eggs daily (chiefly from France), at a cost of about one and a quarter millions sterling per annum over and above the home production. Wo thai it will at once be seen that poultry produce forms by no means an insignificant item in the lood resources of the community. "With regard to the number of fowls consumed there is not a, full account given in the returns fuither than that Ireland alone possesses twelve millions of poultry, having doubled its stock in 23 years. Walking down town this morning, Imadea few inquiries respecting the consumption here, with the following lesults : — After calling on thiiteen grocers, dairymen, etc., and obtaining their lowest estimate of the weekly average retail sale of eggs^it totalled up to 1,052 A dozen per week, or 54,730 dozen per annum, which, taken at 9cl per dozen all the year round, would amount to £2,052 7s 6d. I think there is something in poultry when this does not repiesent one-tenth of the sales effected even in this town. Look at our bakers', restaurant- keepers' and the shipping consumption, and tell me what is the amount of money turned over locally in this particular item. I also called on three auctioneers, whose sales for poultry average up to 800 head per week. This totals up to 41,600 per annum, which means, at a shilling per head, £2,080. The average sales for three butchers for dressed fowls amounted to 160 per week. What about poulterers and others T did not interview? The above figures are all under-estimated, I trust the foregoing remarks will induce us still to persevere in our endeavoui's to excel each other in our particular breeds, always carrying on the contest with that triendly spirit lor which the Britisher is famed, and remembering we cannot all cairy oil the first prize. With regard to our proceedings during the past year, there is little to report. We have had fifteen committee meetings, and proceedings have been carried on most harmoniously. We have lost the sen ices of Mr Morpeth as Secretary, who has generously forgone his claim for ealary and office rent (about £20), which has materially assisted us. Mr Mowbray has been appointed in his stead, who will now proceed to read the statement of account and balance ■ sheet. There has only been one incident to mar the general good feeling which has characterised the proceedings at the late Show, bub as that will be fought out on its merits m Court I will refrain from further alluding to it. It will be for you to decide tonight as to the advisability of holding a dog show during the next month or two ; also of some mode of devising means to reduce the liabilities incurred during former years. The Secretary then read the balancesheet, which showed the receipts for the past year to be £201 6s 3d, and the expenditure £194 19s Od, but there was a large debit balance over from the two previous years. On the motion of the Chairman, seconded bv Major Isaacs, the balance-sheet was adopted, several questions respecting it asked by the members being satisfactorily answ ered. The President then vacated the chair, to which Major Isaacs was elected, and the election ot officers w^s proceeded with as follow.- : — Patrons: His Worship the Mayor, fcl. Brett, J. M. Clark, T. Gresham, Major A. E. Isaacs, Captain J. B. Kennedy, TLos. Morrin, John Keid, James Heid, W. Wilson, Geoige Cruickshank, A. Kidd, Ambury, J. Grey, C. T. Wren. President: MrA.,H. Grainger. Vice-Presidents : Major Isaacs and Mr G. Hulme. Committee : G. Havward,W. Waddell, T. S. Morpeth, C. Bartley, C. Grey, A. E. Dewes. Alex. Aitken, J. F. Logan, F. G. Haszard, Geo. Fowler, E. J. White. Treasurer: Mr C. Phillips. Secretary : Mr E. S. Y. Mowbray. In the election of the Committee there had been considerable discussion as to whether proxies should be allowed, and after a vote it was decided that they should not be used. The election of officers over, Mr Morpeth said that he felt very strongly on this point, as several country member's who were unable to get down had sent him their proxies unsolicited to show that they took an interest in the society. He thought the .rules should be read in future so as to allow these country member? to vote if they chose. Mr Uewes said that the rules of the Association were in a very incomplete state, and lie proposed that the Committee should be instructed to revise the rules and call a special general meet ing to adopt them. This was adopted. Mr McKeown considered that they should hold a dog show. They had some tine dogs in Auckland and they could get up a good ■ show. -A*. Major Isaacs endorsed the last speaker's i remarks,and thought such a show should be made. They could breed fowls in Auckland that could beat all New Zealand, and he considered it a gteat pity that no exhibits had been sent to the Melbourne Exhibition, where he was sure they would have been successful. One Wellington fancier had taken all the prizes there, yeb when he exhibited in Auckland he had always been beaten. As for the dogs, referring to Sailor Boy's Watorloo Cup and Sylvia's tunning up, it was evident that they could beat New Zealand in dogs, too, wnile he need hardly mention horses. Mr C. Phillips proposed that a show should be held on the Bth and 9th of November — Thursday and Friday. This, being seconded, was carried. Mr Grainger spoke of the heavy debi balance that the Association had fromj the last two years, and proposed that the Committee be instructed to hold a gift auction at an early date to clear off their liabilities. This was adopted, and the Treasurer said that if each of the members would undertake to subscribe 3d a week to clear off these debts he would undertake to- collect them. ' • .»{ - > There being no further business! >: the meoting then broke up, , •' •}* >