NELSON POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

Colonist, Volume LI, Issue 12405, 21 November 1908, Page 6 (Supplement)

NELSON POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

ANNUAL MEETING. The animal mooting of the above Association was held at Mercer's Room oil Saturday evening. There was a good attendance' of * members, and the President (Mr E. T. Savage) occupied the chair. The Committee's report was read and the Secretary stated, inter alia : For the second time in succession your Committee has the pleasure of recording that the annual show was the second largest in the Dominion,, a circumstance on which the Association is entitled to congratulate itself. The entries for 1908 show did not quite reach the number for -1907, still the fact that only one centre— Christchurch — was ahead of us in point of exhibits is evidence that the fancy in Nelson is in a healthy state. There was this year a falling off in poultry entries, but a substantial increase in pigeons and canaries. The latter were a distinct feature of the show. Taken altogether the 1908 » show may in regarded as the best all round exhibition yet held— this: was the unanimous.- opinion of both the members of the Association- and of the visiting public. It will be noted with pleasure that the championship show will be held hero in 1909. This the first occasion on which this fixture has been allotted to Nelson. The championship show, however, Ay ill entail more work, and a" larger expenditure than an ordinary show, and it will be 'for members to bear this in mind fand give all the assistance they /can in an endeavour to make the '_. first championship. show an unqualified success From the meagre details- 1 to hand from Christchurch it would appear that the Nelson only secured the championship after a hard fight. Three other centres had applications '» for the big eyent, but the claims or INelson were recognised. Our warmest thanks arc due to Mr W B. McKenzie and Mr Arthur Smith tor the manner in which, as our Association's, delegates, they fought for oiir interests. The : canary fanciers will have observed that a canary cham pionship has also been allotted to Nelson, and in view of the great interest at present displayed in this branch of the fancy the canary section at the 1909 show may be expected to bo far and away the best ever seen here. The Association is at present'conducting an egg-laying competition at btoke under the management of Mr Cecil Beatson. The competition commenced on the first of April last and so far has been most successful. The competition is unique in that this is the first occasion of which tho competing birds are kept entirely under cover. Up to date the birds at Stoke have responded liberally to the treatment they have received from the manager, the production of eggs having been eminently satisfactory. Tho re.tnrns of the competition are being followed with great interest throughout tho whole district; and the indications are that tho contest to be held next year will attract considerably more pens than, the preesnt one. Thanks are due to all who donated trophies, or cash prizes, to Mr Bamford for auditing the accounts, to the Garrison and Citizens' Bands for playing at the show, to those who took part in the recent concert given in aid of the Association's funds, and to the press. The balance-sheet, audited by Mr F. A. Bamford, showed that the expenditure during the year was £391, this amount including liabilities incurred in the previous year. The bank overdraft was £28. It was explained that the paying out of six five-guinea cash prizes and an expenditure of about £70 in new plant had prevented a credit balance being shown. The report and balance-sheet were adopted. Officers were elected as follows: — Patron, Mr G. A. Maequarie (reelected), President Mr E. B. Martin ; Vice Presidents, Messrs E T Savage, W. W. Snodgrass, G. A. Harkncss, A. W. Shallcvass, J. Boon A. E. Hoimsell, W. Coleman, H. C. Jacka, F. O. Hamilton, G .G. Wearing and J. Hockey; Committee, Messrs F. Plum, W. Hockey, F. Gibbons, F. Coleman, S. Boun'dy, A. G. Hetts, P. McNamara, D. Thomson ; Auditor, Mr F. A. Bamford (re-elect-ed) ; Custodian, Mr J. Hockey (reelected) ; Treasurer, Mr J. A. Stringer (re-elected) ; Secretary, Mr W. H. Simpson (re-elected). In vacating the chair Mr Savage acknowledged the assistance he had received from his fellow officers, congratulated Mr Martin on his election to tho position of President, and wished tho Association a prosperous year. Messrs Savage, Stringer and Simpson were heartily thanked for their services during the year. Mr C. 1). Beatson, manager of the egg-laying competition, acknowledged the assistance he had received from the officers of the Association. The Secretary was instructed to write to several judges re their terms for judging at the next show. Tlie members spent some time in discussing various matters in connection with the championship show, and the meeting eventually ended with the customary vote of thanks to tlie chair.