1924
1924
In early 1924 an advertisement in The New Zealand Fruitgrower and Apiarist had the apiary of Mr FC Baines, the former editor of the NZ Beekeeper journal, for sale. The advertisement indicated that Mr Baines had taken on secretarial work, preventing him from giving sufficient time to the 100 colonies of 12 frame gear. A letter from Mr Baines in the same issue informed beekeepers that he had resigned as NBA Secretary. Mr HN Goodman was appointed to replace him in the meantime, though by May it appears that Mr TS Winter (on the staff of the HPA) had been chosen as Secretary.
In March the HPA faced still further management changes with the resignation of Mr H Fraser, who was leaving for England on private business affairs. Mr J Rentoul, a director of the company, was appointed manager for the meantime.
Another company had been formed, offering to buy special and light amber grades at 1 d per pound more than the HPA was offering.
The HPA closed their beekeeping supplies department.
The Annual Conference was held in Christchurch on 5 and 6 June. The NBA was at a low ebb, and the lack of funds for magazine, executive meetings and other activities came into almost all discussion.
A primary topic was honey export control. The HPA had been the sole exporter over the previous three years. A board of three members, one each from NBA, HPA and the Government, was proposed as a ‘control’ measure to supervise exports and say in what form they should be sent to England.
Mr AR Bates was re-elected as President. Mr GK Kitchingham (Greymouth) was elected Vice President. Executive members elected were Mr J Rentoul (Auckland), Mr AH Davies (Hamilton), Mr RA Gibb (Menzies Ferry) and Mr CA Pope (Happy Valley).
The statistics indicated that there were 6,289 apiaries in New Zealand, with 89,600 hives in total.
In early December voting papers were sent out to beekeepers to decide whether the Honey Control Board would be formed. Altogether, 401 beekeepers were eligible to vote.