PRESENT: Richard Hatfield (Pres.), Mary-Ann Lindsay (Treas.) John Burnet (Sec.) and 30 members and visitors as listed in the attendance book.

APOLOGIES: Cliff Hulston, John Robson, Graham Lusty, David Park, Les Solomon, Marie Christofel, Bill Allan, Fred & Robert Thomson, Barbara Kerr, Max Aston, Ray Baker.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Minutes of meeting held 12 April were read and confirmed.

MATTERS ARISING: At a members request wasp tunnels and baits were further discussed. Frank Lindsay mentioned wasp mating flights were currently occurring. Wasp nests in the ground should be destroyed using petrol or diesel (this must not be ignited - the fumes will kill the wasps and Richard related a personal experience to emphasis this.)

CORRESPONDENCE: Advice received from local branch of NBA detailing forthcoming remit meeting to be held on Mon 17 May in Wanganui.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Balances as at 31 March 1999 - Working Account $1,882.27, Goal Accounts $1714.41 & $3,035.42.

GENERAL BUSINESS:

Mead competition will be held in August due to absence of judges in July. Three classes - dry, sweet, sparkling. Only other rules - mead must be derived from honey. Mead to be presented in clear pressurised glass 750 ml. bottles. Green glass allowed for sparkling mead. Judges palette is final. Judging criteria - clarity, no yeast taste, no high tannin content, no sediment, no fortification. Flavour must "burst in the mouth".

Dave Coulton circulated a photograph taken in Waterford, Michigan in the 1920’s showing two smiling young girls without any protective clothing, covered in bees seated beside a hive.

Frank Lindsay recommended the Club purchase for its library "Breeding Super Bees" by Steve Taber. Price USD4.99 considered a bargain despite the book being several years old. Richard Hatfield will arrange purchase with his next order from AI Root.

Ivan Pedersen demonstrated how used aluminium sheet available from offset printers could be folded and fitted to a standard hive roof to make a waterproof cover.

Seasonal Management - drones are now being evicted (indicating onset of winter) however bees were still harvesting nectar in some areas.

DECA - (Disease Elimination Conformity Agreement) Frank Lindsay described in detail the new DECA questionnaire currently being circulated to all registered beekeepers by AgriQual. Also discussed were various diseases and threats to beekeeping such as European Foulbrood and the varroa and tracheal mite also border control techniques.

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