PRESENT: Richard Hatfield (Pres.), Mary-Ann Lindsay (Treas.), John Burnet (Sec.) and 29 members and visitors as listed in the attendance book.

APOLOGIES: Dave Coulton, Graham Lusty, Laurie Williams, Bernie Cox, Brian Mitchells, Jurgen Jenkner, Wayne Wild, Andrew Yung.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Minutes of meeting held 8 March were read and confirmed.

CORRESPONDENCE: Letter from life member Ham Maxwell was read. Ham is now living in at Manukau and unable to readily attend meetings but still appreciated receiving the newsletters. His cheque for 98/99 sub was to be returned by Treasurer (life members are exempt from subs).

TREASURERS REPORT:

As at 31 March 1999 - Curr Working A/c $1,926.93, Goal A/cs $3,035.42 and $1,714-41.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

Wax Dipping - available in May from Pres for $5 per super plus AFB certificate provided.

Plastic Jars - available from Plastic Wholesalers, Hutt Rd, Petone. Two hexagonal sizes avail - 400ml (500 gm) 52 cents per 100 incl lid. 750 ml (1 kg) 71 cents per 100 incl lid.

Alistair Lockie advised his equipment was for sale - 2 x 3/4 supers plus lids etc. Alistair had been a member since 1944 and recalled beekeeping knowledge was scant 50 years ago compared with today. Honey was often used for homebrews due to sugar rationing. Mead making was also popular. Club membership dropped to about 8 in the 1970’s until a "coup" resulted in a major change to the committee, meeting agendas and advice given to beginners.

Members Queries - Wasp tunnels and traps discussed also carbaryl carpet, wasp baits (jam, meat, beer & sugar when producing queens).

Robbing - prevented by use of a canvas cover exposing one frame only at a time. Use of escape boards also reduces robbing. Crack supers day before removing honey enables bees to clean up burr and brace comb between supers.

Wintering down - check for AFB and brood pattern, failing queens can still be replaced now.

Feed in need with A1 white sugar not brown (raw sugar can be used in Spring).

Ivan Pedersen talked about his queen marking techniques and advised he was interested in buying member’s wax and cappings.

Frank & Mary-Ann Lindsay reported on the recent NBA Field Day and issues arising - in particular new Accident and Injury Insurance requirements.

Suburban beekeeper numbers had halved over the past 5 years and this was attributed primarily to local body and council pressure.

DECA returns were now due for completion and this issue plus PMS was to be discussed at the May meeting. The AFB fund was in future to be used for disease management not just disease payout and diseaseathon expenses.

1999 AGM will be deferred from July to August due to absence of President and Treasurer.

Meeting closed at 9:00 p.m. with supper.