POULTRY FANCIER

Timaru Herald, Volume XCVIII, Issue 15120, 14 August 1913, Page 3

POULTRY FANCIER

. * LEAVING THE DISTRICT. TOKENS OF APPRECIATION. Than Mr G. H. Blair few men have dono more to iorwarcl the poultry industry in South Canterbury. Ho h;i3, for th t > past fifteen years, devoted much time- to the rearing and improving of -different breeds, and has been most successful hi his efforts; it is yuite sale to .say that lie has been one of the pioneors in this direction, and to him :s due much of the credit for tho high standard of poultry in South Canterbury. '"The members and friends of the South Canterbury Poultry Society met last evening to do honour to Mr Blair on the eve of Ins departure for tho south, where he is to take up sheep farming. There was a large attendance, presided over by Mr S. R. Burns, president of tho Society. A most enjoyable repast was provided in Mr Hutchison's best style. Mr I<\ C. Watson proposed the, health" of Mr Blair in a characteristic speech, making very complimentary reference to all ho had done for the poultry industry and the local Poultry Society. The" toast was enthusiastically pledged. Mr A. S. Palmer followed, speaking of their guest as one of the best friends tho fancy had. Mr Burns said that Mr Blair took up the fancy about fifteen years ago, beginning with brown Leghorns. He next turned his attention_ to white Wyandottes, then an inferior breed in New Zealand. Mr Blair sent to America for birds, and had spent as much as £3O for a trio. As a result he had won the South Island Championship right out, ever since it was inaugurated. Tho members felt that they could not allow Mr Blair to leave without in some way recognising his sen-ices to the Society, and on their behalf he had to present him with a gold albert, to remind him of his many friends in Timaru. Mr Bums also asked Mr Blair to accept a silver cruet for his wife. Mrs Bla'r had .also been a successful exhibitor. The) best wishes of the Society went with both to their new homo in the south. Mr T. Yefiland also spoke of Mr Blair's sendees to the fancy. Mr Blair thanked the members for their kindness, and remarked that he required nothing to renvnd him of his Tiumru friends. During the fifteen years ho had worked among poultry lie had never had nn an'gry word with any member of the Society. It had been profitable to him and had been tiio means of putting him in the position of being the proud owner of a sheep farm. He hoped to return to Timara in -later years and take up tho fancy as a hobby. He thanked them in "conclusion for their kindniess to himself and his wife for their very valuable gifts. (Applause). A number of other toasts we're honoured; a first class musical programme was gone through, and a pleasant function dosed with "Auld Lang Syne."