POVERTY BAY BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVIII, Issue 2759, 7 February 1910, Page 3

POVERTY BAY BEEKEEPERS’ ASSOCIATION.

DEPUTATION TO HON. JAS CAEItOr.L.

A deputation from the Poverty Bay Beekeepers’ Association waited upon the Hon. Jas. Carroll on Saturday morning, and, in the absence of His AVorshm the Mayor, was presented by Air. John Somervell.

The following petition, a copy of which has been forwarded to the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Alinister for Agriculture. was banded to the Alinister:— The undersigned representatives of the Poverty Bay Beekeepers’ Association beg to place before you a need which they deem necessary as a protection to themselves and the industry in which they are engaged. They desire to lay before you the need of a local inspector. or other officiant inspector, for tile district, on the following grounds: — Ist. That foul brood is prevalent in tile district. 2nd. That box hives are numerous—contrary to the Apiary Act — and these are a source or danger nnd a menace to the modern beekeeper. 3rd. That the industry can bo still further advanced bv having an authorised officer to assist and instruct tlioso who are engaged in beekeeping and also tlioso who intend to become beekeepers. 4. That the district is large and the beekeepers necessarily scattered, and in the past, a visiting officer lias not bad sufficient time to attend to -the needs of the beekeepers. sth. That the district contains over 2000 hives. Tile- po_ titie-ners pray that effect may be given to their needs. —AA’e have the honor to Jiii. sir. your obedient servants. President. George Stevenson : vice-presi-dent, Ezra Smith : secretary, das. B. •Adams; committee, B. L. Scott. John II Hawke, -E. Afat.thews, James Johnsto>i<\ Duncan G. Niven.

The Hon. Hr. Carroll said that ho* presumed the subject matter of what they, wished to discuss was contained in the petition, and any assistance lie con'd give thorn ho would only bo too glad to render. Ho pointed out, however, that he Lad made arrangements with the Hon. T. Mackenzie. Minister for Agriculture, to visit the district shortly. and that he would he the proper gentleman before whom to lav the matter. Mr. Mackenzie was coming to Gisborne overland from Napier via AVniroa after filling engagements in the South Island,’ and he suggested that n dr-nutation meet the Minister for Agriculture on his arrival. The oxaet'date of Mr. Mackenzie’s coming had not been fixed, but. be would telegraph to him and ascertain as speedily as possible. In the meantime, he (Mr. Carrol!) would do all in his power to see that their views and suggestions had every consideration. Mr. J. .13. Adams pointed cut that the beekeepers were seeking that protection which, under the Apiaries Act, they were justly entitled to. The Act appeared to he a dead letter, and it was a moral impossibility for one man to inspect the whole North Island. The South Island inspector bad only inspected 700 hives in twelve months, and the whole time of the North Island inspector was taken up in eradicating foul brood from the. Government apiaries. Foul brood had been introduced into this district, and there was no one apparently with power to act, although the matter had frequently been reported to the Stock Department. There were, he said, over 2000 hives in the district being worked for profit. They were making their living out of bee farmino- and they wanted that living protected. The Hon. Jas. Carroll again expressed his sympathy with the views of the deputation, and asked if what tlipv repaired was some system of local inspection or to have- the North Island cut up into districts. Mr. Smith assured the Minister that that was w'liat was required, and urged the appointment of some practical man, “To put off his coat and do the work and show the beekeepers how to do it.”

Mr. Adams- intimated that copies of the petition wetc being sent to the Hon. Capt. Tucker, M.L.C., and Mr. W. D. S. MacDonald, M.P., and, having thanked the Minister, the. deputation withdrew. In conversation with a “Times” reporter afterwards, the Minister said that lie- was sure that the Hon. T. Mackenzie would meet the matter in an enthusiastic spirit. He had already discussed the matter with several A. and P. Associations, had delivered one or two speeches himself on the subject, and was generally interesting himself in the industry.