PRESENT: Doug Purdie (Pres.), John Burnet (Sec.) and 18 members and visitors as listed in the attendance book.

APOLOGIES: Frank & Mary Ann Lindsay, Graham Lusty, Pam McDowell, May Larsen

MINUTES: Minutes of meeting held 11 May were read and confirmed.

MATTERS ARISING: NBA Executive Committee Election. Biographical notes detailing the two nominees for the North Island vacancy were discussed and members then voted to support Nick Wallingford for the position.

CORRESPONDENCE: Manawatu B/K Club had written seeking details of our AFB fund. President had attempted to phone the Manawatu Sec but had been unsuccessful to date. Sec will forward details by letter.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

Annual General Meeting. President reminded members of the AGM in July and advised that in terms of the constitution he would be standing down after three years in the chair. Secretary advised that both the Librarian Shauna Tate and Supper Organiser Graham Lusty had indicated they too would not be available for reappointment.

School Holiday Talks: Bernie Long advised he had been approached by the City Library seeking beekeepers who would be available to give organised talks about beekeeping to children’s groups in various libraries during the July school holidays. Use of an observation hive, b/k suits, hive parts, smokers and the Club’s large coloured posters were discussed. Bernie will obtain further details from the Library and contact the committee in due course.

Jill Cornish advised she had recently addressed the Seatoun Garden Club and received an enthusiastic response.

President Doug Purdie spoke on a recent visit to the Comvita factory in the Bay of Plenty.

Ivan Pedersen showed members a foundationless frame completed by bees with brace comb.

GADGETS AND GIZMOS: Demonstrations were given by:

• Max Aston on a multiple drilling tool for end frames, embedding gadget, wiring board and uncapping fork.
• James Scott on his modified floorboard.
• Alan Gibb on his home-made solar wax melter.
• Fritz Fuchs on his home-designed & built pollen trap and steam box for section frames.
• Richard Hatfield spoke on various ideas, methods and procedures to simplify beekeeping.