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

APOLOGIES: Amor Walter, Peter Radcliffe, Marie Christoffel, Pam McDowell, Wayne Newby.

NEW MEMBERS AND VISITORS: Erland Omand (Orkney Islands, Scotland).

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: Minutes of meeting held 12 March 2001 as detailed in April newsletter were confirmed.

MATTERS ARISING: Varroa Update: Surveillance was now underway within the Waimarino bubble (in the buffer zone between the infected and surveillance areas) with no varroa detected to date. However, varroa had been found in Katikati. The mite area was now expanding at a rate of 60km per year and was killing hives in approx 14 months.

Ivan Pedersen confirmed he had been invited by MAF to undertake research on alternative methods of controlling varroa but would not proceed as research funds were not provided. Ivan was willing however to allow members to read his research paper on the issue. His proposal centred on the removal of drone brood from the hives and the ability to inspect brood without removing honey supers.

Diseasathon: 100 hives on 19 sites were inspected by four teams with no AFB found. Some teams reported resentment from some beekeepers but this soon disappeared after the beekeepers learned of the team’s objectives and observed their inspection procedure. Team members reported a very beneficial and educational experience overall.

CORRESPONDENCE: Annual Disease Returns: All beekeepers should expect these in the mail within the next few days. To ensure correct processing by AgriQual it was recommended completed ADRs are photocopied by beekeepers before returning them.

Internet Service Provider: A letter from BuzzDotNet had been received offering a distinctive email address to beekeepers with $10 of the connection fee being donated to the Club. James Scott suggested members consider carefully before signing up as the company’s line capacity and support were unknown. Internet connection was also possible for members through the Club’s existing website (www.beehive.org.nz).

Inland Revenue Dept: Letter had been received from IRD advising exemption from tax provided taxable income was less than $500. (As incorporated societies are exempt from all tax, this issue did not apply to the Club).

TREASURER’S REPORT: Balances of all accounts were outlined to members. Members authorised purchase and issuance of petrol vouchers (totalling $60) to compensate Diseaseathon drivers. Reimbursement of $32 inspection fee per site will be sought from NBA. It was suggested that if this payment was obtained from the NBA, funds could be used to obtain a Global Positioning System. This would result in less wasted time searching for hives also grid references could be checked and updated where necessary thus benefitting the Apiary Register and future AFB/varroa mite checks.

GENERAL BUSINESS: NBA report: Richard Hatfield (NBA President) reported the NBA had recently successfully prosecuted a commercial beekeeper for back levies and a further eight claims were being taken to court over the next month. Undeclared hives were still a problem and several beekeepers were also now subject to legal proceedings. This rigorous debt collection policy had resulted in the NBA being now in a less precarious financial position than they were last year.

Approx 24 DECAs had been revoked for failure to comply – 20 of these were held by commercial beekeepers.

Education: The DECA exam would be able to available for club members to sit at Johnsonville on 26 May and would also be available at the Camp Rangi Field Day at Pohangina Valley in Aug.

Visitor Erland Omand (in NZ to study beekeeping at Telford) spoke briefly about beekeeping in Scotland’s Orkney Islands. The climate was generally cold and wet with clover and heather honey being the main crop. Hives were overwintered using the British standard WBC hive (i.e. double skinned) for greater insulation and weather protection.

HONEY COMPETITION: Judged by Frank Lindsay and Richard Hatfield

Meeting closed at 9.00 p.m. with the usual supper.