Present: Doug Purdie (Pres.), Frank Lindsay (Treas. & Acting Sec.) and 17 members and visitors as listed in the attendance book.

Apologies: Ken Breden, John Burnet, and Graham Lustry.

New Members And Visitors: Vicky Alexander from Wainuiomata

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

Treasurer’s Report: Current operating account showed a credit balance of $1,427.53 with one outstanding cheque of $36.80.

General Business:
James Scott had a nuc being robbed out, so moved it away and the bees left it alone. After a short time he moved it back and robbing started again - conclusion was that it was on main flight path path from his other hives.

Bill Allen reported nucs being robbed out as described could be prevented by using a diversionary screen where the entrance would normally be, bu the real entrance was 100 mm to the side through a tunnel.

Mice in hives? One member describe a one way door (similar to a cat flap) which let mice out but prevented (re-)entry.

Fank Lindsay produced a frame with two large holes in it and asked what had caused this. It was two bullets through the box. Someone was using the hives for target practice. Apart from the holes in the frames, very little damage.

John was called to a hive in a hedge (comb already present) which fell to bits when he tried to move it. Sugested that he use an onion bag next time to hold it all together (attach with dowels and staples). Take it apart later and put into frames tied with wool th hold them in place.

Guest Speaker:
Bill Yoon on Bee Venom use in Korea. Bill came to NZ 18 months ago, trained as a vet, but is now studying at university.

Bee venom can also be collected without killing the bees by use of an electric grid placed on top of the hive. It is possible to collec about 4 grams of venom per hive in 16 weeks (collecting one day per week), which can be sold for up to $500 per gram (depending on purity). Bill had a friend overseas who develop-ed a better system of collecting using ultrasound. Perhaps there are prospects for NZ Beekeepers to get into this by-product.