PRESENT : Richard Hatfield (Pres.), Mary Ann Linday (Treas.), John Burnet (Sec.) and 33 members and visitors as listed in the attendance book.

APOLOGIES : Nancy Fithian, Marie & Chris Christofel, Andrew Yung.

NEW MEMBERS AND VISITORS : Karl Segessenmann (Stokes Valley), Amor Walter (Levin), Gary Murphy and daughters Deborah and Sarah (Lower Hutt).

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING : Minutes of meeting held 14 February as detailed in March newsletter were confirmed.

MATTERS ARISING : Deca Training/Exam : Tentative date for next training session & exam is Sat 1 April at 8 am. (Mary Ann will check venue availability (J’ville community Centre) and advise candidates direct (members wishing to undertake the exam to complete a DECA application form tonight).

TREASURER’S REPORT : Deposits to club account and cheques issued during Dec, Jan and Feb were itemised and confirmed by members.

CORRESPONDENCE :

Invoice from Arthur Holmes for glass jars for $37.48 - payment confirmed by members. Members also expressed their appreciation to Tony Buder for organising the purchase. Jars would be sold to members at $1 each for use at next months honey competition.

Account for annual NBA membership subscription $38.00 - Payment approved (moved Cliff Hulston/seconded Richard Hatfield).

Invitation received from Upper Hutt City Council to participate in their Science Fair 20-22 July. Volunteers from members sought to staff the club stand as the Lindsays (who normally attend these functions) would be attending the NBA AGM on at the same time. More details would be available at next months meeting.

GENERAL BUSINESS :

Issues discussed -

Honey harvesting underway with good crops reported by most members despite a very unsettled and uneven summer (167kg from two hives in suburban Tawa, 1100kg from 26 hives in Whitemans Valley).

Frank Lindsay reported his bees in Paekakariki had recently shown a marked preference for cabbage trees and fennel over neighbouring pohutukawa.

Ivan Pederson advised he had apparently been randomly selected to provide a sample of bees for AFB testing by AgriQual. Procedure was discussed and explained to members who had not previously been aware of this requirement under the AFB Management Strategy.

A recent email exchange was discussed concerning the taste of honey made from ragwort and ivy.

Appreciation was shown by members to Max Aston (new joint Club Librarian) for his self constructed mobile library (Wellington City Library should take note !)

Keith Huntingdon advised he required a new home for his bees preferably near Petone. Vicki Alexander offered Keith use of a site in the Hutt Valley.

President presented Doug Purdie with a certificate to acknowledge his 20 years of contribution to the club. Doug was retiring and emigrating to Queensland and mentioned he wasn’t sure about taking up beekeeping there.

Video - Importance of queen substance was shown to members (continuation of video shown at Dec meeting).

Meeting closed at 9.15 pm with usual supper.

John Burnet