Present: Doug Purdie (Pres.), Frank Lindsay (Treas.), John Burnet (Sec.) and 36 members and visitors as listed in the attendance book.

Apologies: Richard Hadfield, Graham Lusty, Tony Hopkins, Madeline Gibb

New Members And Visitors: Eduardo and Julie Korcke (South America).

Minutes Of Previous Meeting: Minutes of meeting held 8 December were read and confirmed.

Matters Arising: Proposed health warnings on bee product labels was again raised and Mary Ann Lindsay advised there had been no change to current Australian or NZ law to date.

Correspondence: Upper Hutt Council has advised that the annual A & P Show Day would in future be known as the Upper Hutt Summer Carnival and the next would be held on 28 February. Frank & Mary Ann Lindsay planned to host a stand and volunteer club members would be welcome.

Treasurers Report: Current operating account had a credit balance of $1,290 with two outstanding cheques.

General Business:

Club members reported a good season to date particularly with south facing hives. Wind had adversely affected many hives in exposed areas. Frank Lindsay reported that most East Coast beekeepers had been badly affected by the drought.

Carl Aageson produced an insect he had recently caught and it was readily identified as a native bee. Their solitary characteristics were briefly discussed.

Bee escapes were generally discussed and recommended for use in residential areas. It was emphasised that bee escapes would only be successful if supers were completely bee proof.

Members reported no significant wasp problems to date.

Ivan Pedersen demonstrated some frames he had made from pine trees on his property and also mentioned that he had collected 103 swarms since Oct 97, 80 of which were attracted to his bait hives.

Presentation:

John Burnet briefly outlined basic extraction procedures and reminded members of the two extractors available for hire to members. Frank Lindsay, Bill Allan also briefly outlined requeening procedure and the benefits of autumn requeenning in particular.