CANARIES AS HOBBIES

Taranaki Daily News, 13 November 1934, Page 11

CANARIES AS HOBBIES

INTEREST IN NEW PLYMOUTH. MAKING BEST OF LEISURE. The interest and appeal that bird fancying in general and- canary breeding in particular have for the average man was emphasised in an address on the canary given at the New Plymouth Rotary Club luncheon yesterday by Mr. G. FlemingIn 1931, said Mr. Fleming, nine people banded together and formed the New Plymouth Canary and Cage Bird Club., In 1932 30 members had joined, and last year the total had increased to 100. Eighteen cups had been donated by club enthusiasts, making a total of 20 cups for competition classes. Probably, as far as finances were concerned, the club was one of the strongest amongst provincial clubs. It had £25 cash in hand, and assets totalling £BO. The club did not cater alone for canaries, but included all classes of cage birds, or any bird that attracted the attention of those who indulged in the hobby. Canary-rearing was mainly a hobby, continued the speaker, and hobbies come under several categories, some beneficial, gome advantageous, some informative and others the reverse. But that of canaryrearing was simply a hobby combined with all that was advantageous. As Bernard Shaw had said, the world, to-day was suffering from a maladministration of leisure. If a beneficial hobby filled those hours of leisure, a little more concentration would have the tendency to produce better citizens. The canary in his natural state and condition was green in colour and from that one breed was built up the four varieties that are more commonly bred in New Zealand, namely the Roller, the Yorkshire, the Norwich and the Border. From the one colour was bred the different varieties, yellow, buff, cinnamon and mixtures. Altogether 37 different varieties had been grown from the little green canary. The speaker commented on the Buckmaster Act that was introduced last year' into England, and explained the various reasons of its introduction and its application. A description of the various varieties and thejr peculiarities and also the different tones and pitches of the familiar canary trolling completed an interest-' ing address. Mr. W. Jones expressed the appreciation of the members of the club towards the speaker and his subject.