PRESENT: Frank Lindsay (Pres.), Mary Ann Lindsay (Treasurer), John Burnet (Secretary) and 32 members and visitors as listed in the attendance book.

APOLOGIES: Derek Chapman, John Robson, Marie & Chris Christoffel, Laurie Williams, Jeff Pollard.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Minutes of meeting held 13 November as detailed in Dec newsletter were confirmed.

MATTERS ARISING: Varroa Update: It was confirmed that Inspectors or Authorised Persons could only inspect hives under the Biosecurity Act using original warrants issued by AgriQuality – photocopies were not legally acceptable. No new pesticides had been registered under the Animal Remedies Act – Thymol and Formic acid were still under investigation

Diseasathon: James Scott & Frank Lindsay circulated photographs taken of neglected and infected AFB hives discovered during the recent Diseaseathon. Frank advised that AgriQuality had ordered the destruction of the diseased hives and another Diseaseathon would be held next March/April.

TREASURER’S REPORT: Balances of all accounts were outlined to members and Mary Ann’s Christmas supper expenses ($17.65) and anticipated annual Church hall hire for 2001 ($297) were ratified by members (Ken Breden/Amor Walter).

CORRESPONDENCE: The Club had received an invitation to participate in the Upper Hutt Summer Carnival on Sat 24 Feb. at Trentham Memorial Park. Frank & Mary Ann had previously operated a stand at the Carnival but would welcome support and assistance from other members. An invitation had also been received to participate in an event to be held at Golder’s Cottage, Upper Hutt during Labour weekend 2001.

GENERAL BUSINESS: Obituary: Mary Ann Lindsay reported that Laurie Dennis had died the previous week and the Club had sent a sympathy card to his wife and family. Laurie had been a member of the Club for many years and a secretary in the mid 1980’s. He had given up beekeeping and resigned from the Club in 1997 when he moved into an inner city apartment.

Seasonal Management: The honey flow had recently started in the Wellington area with Kamahi, Manuka and Pohutukawa now flowering. Use of smoke was now unnecessary (unless in a thunderstorm or after 4.30pm when bees had stopped flying).

Field Day: A District field day was being planned for the weekend 26-28 Aug at Camp Rangi in the Pohangina Valley, near Palmerston North. This was to be a live-in weekend camp aimed at both new and experienced beekeepers and had been very popular when previously held in 1998.

NBA Issues: Richard Hatfield (NBA Pres.) reported NBA were going to take a stronger line on various compliance issues in particular display of apiary numbers, provision of grid references, use of moveable frames. Currently civil action was underway against two beekeepers with significant unpaid NBA levies and an enforcement agency was also investigating other PMS non-compliance cases.

An audit of beekeepers’ Annual Disease Returns had recently been undertaken and beekeepers were requested to advise the NBA Secretary of any incorrect correspondence received concerning the completion of these returns.

A new levy system was being proposed which would require all beekeepers to pay an apiary registration fee. Currently all industry costs were being met by commercial beekeepers only.

Members Queries:

Queenless Hives: Choices available? Unite with a strong hive or provide colony with a frame of larvae. One method suggested of quickly uniting a hive is to tip all bees out on the ground a few metres away from the hive i.e. significantly disturb the colony and the differing pheromones..

Swarms: 15 reported in Whitemans Valley over the past fortnight. Swarms are now being reported in the Porirua Basin. Artificial pheromone strips were now commercially available which will hold swarms. A frame of brood will also prevent a swarm absconding.

Nuisance Bees: These can often be "tamed" by hanging a permanent wave cloth near the hive. One member reported considerable recent success with this procedure.

Meeting closed at 9.30 p.m. with customary Christmas supper including Mary Ann’s punch.

John Burnet