Present: Richard Hatfield (Pres.), Mary-Ann Lindsay (Treas.), John Burnet (Sec.) and 25 members and visitors as listed in the attendance book.

Apologies: Graham Lusty, Bernie Cox, Cliff Hulston, Ray Baker, Marie & Chris Christofel, David Parkes, Bill Allan, May Larsen, Laurie Williams, Wayne Wild.

Matters Arising From Previous Monthly Meeting (July 99):

NBA Conference : Frank Lindsay gave a brief outline of main issues discussed in particular -

• Problem of surfactants poisoning bees, and lack of control of their importation
• Impact on beekeeping of significant weather change especially El Nino (drought) and La Nina (excessive rainfall) and the increased interest by the industry generally in weather patterns.

Minutes Of 1998 AGM : Minutes of meeting held 13 July 1998 were read and confirmed (Ken Breden/Wrae Duncan).

President’s Report : Read and accepted (Richard Hatfield/James Scott - Carried).

Treasurer’s Report : Mary Ann Lindsay circulated copies of Income/Expenditure Report and Balance Sheet to members, explained change to Balance Sheet format and details concerning various items and answered questions on both reports. Mary Ann acknowledged President’s assistance in preparing the Annual Reports and advised reports had this year been audited by Jocelyn Tijerd as Club’s usual auditor (Cliff Hulston) was away on holiday. Acceptance of the reports was proposed by Mary Ann and seconded by Andrew Beach - Carried.

Correspondence : Letter of resignation from long-standing member Pat Clinch from Masterton discussed. Secretary to acknowledge.

Election Of Officers:

Appointment Of Auditor:

Proposal received and discussed: Incoming committee to consider appointment of auditor and report prior to next AGM. (James Scott/John Robson - Carried). Secretary was instructed to formally send letter of thanks to Cliff Hulston for his services as auditor over many years.

Committee :

Proposal : President proposed B/L fund should be used to fund (or subsidise) DECA training and exam fees for all club members. Three principles were suggested and discussed :

1. Part payout for diseased hives (amount to be determined by number of hives) or
2. Education and DECA examination costs for all club members or
3. Diseasathon costs

The following proposal was formulated, discussed and agreed :

All members of Wgton Beekeepers Assoc who were financial or life members as at 31 May 1999 be subsidised 100% cost of DECA exam to be organised by the Club and taken by 31 May 2000.

Subscription: Unchanged from last year i.e. $20. Proportion of B/L contribution to subscription to be determined by club resolution.

DECA : NBA Training for Trainers. A one day course was to be held at Hamilton and it was proposed that three club members attend subsidised by the club to an amount to be determined once course costs are known (Mary Ann Lindsay/John Burnet - Carried). Tentative date for first one day workshop and exam for club members - Sat 2 Oct. Two alternative training sessions would be held on later dates in the summer.

B/L Payout : $60 being 50% of standard hive cost. One claim for three hives had been received - claim to be met under advice to claimant that as this was his second claim within two years, no further claims would be accepted (Andrew Beach/James Scott).

Website : To be continued for a further year - anticipated cost $50. (James Scott/John Burnet)

Mead Competition:

Meeting closed about 9.45 pm with supper.

John Burnet