CHRISTCHURCH POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume II, Issue 117, 15 October 1874, Page 2

CHRISTCHURCH POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of this association was held last evening at Warner’s Hotel. There was a large attendance of members, and Mr Macquarie occupied the chair. Mr W. G. Walker (h jn. sec.) read the following report:—

“ At this seventh annual general meeting of the Christchurch Poultry Association, the managing committee have to submit to members the following report and financial statement: —

“Your committee have to report that the seventh annual exhibition was held in the new Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield street, on Friday and Saturday, the 21st and 22nd August last, but regret to state that although the weather, with the exception of the Saturday night, was very favorable on the whole, the public did not attend in such numbers as was anticipated, and the receipts at the doors showed a marked falling off from those of last year, when the exhibition washeld at the Music Hall, which is a more central place for holding such an exhibition.

“ This was not in any way the fault of the committee, as they did all that lay in their power to bring the matter prominently before the public by advertisement and other ways.

“Through the exertions of thehon secretary, nearly the whole of the special prizes, consisting of plate, &c., were shown in the hall, and proved a source of great attraction. “ The committee wish to congratulate the Association on the very great success of the show ; in point of numbers the entries exceeded those of last year by forty-two, and the exhibits on the whole were excellent, more particularly the chicken class in dark brahmas, and single hens in both light and dark brahmas.

“The judges expressed their regret that they were not empowered by the prize list to award more than one prize in the dark brahma chicken class, and highly commended nearly the whole of the exhibits. “ In the game classes the black-reds shown were a fair lot, but the committee desire to point out the very great necessity of new blood being introduced in all the game classes.

“ Duckwings were represented by a very ordinary lot of single cocks ; this is much to be regretted, as it is within the knowledge of the committee that there are good duckwings in the Province if their owners would only take the trouble to show them. Brown reds, which at former shows were always a strong class, were only represented by a very ordinary pen of birds and a single cock. The class for game chickens, which was a new item in this year’s show, brought out five entries (all black reds), but none of them hold out hopes of any great improvement to be looked for at next year’s exhibition. “ Mr Saunder’s special prizes for white Dorkings, brought a large number of entries of good quality, but the committee regret still to see a great falling off in colored Dorkings, which years ago, held a prominent position in our exhibition, and now were reduced to only five entries. “ In the classes for Spanish, silver Polish, La Fleche, Creve Coeur, silver pencilled Hamburghs, and Malays, there were no entries.

“ Cochins, although small in number of entries, were of a very fair description ; the same remarks will apply to the golden pencilled and golden-spangled Hamburghs. “ In the silver-spangled Hamburghs, the whole of the exhibits were disqualified for having red ears, instead of white as required by the standard of excellence. This is the result of constant in-breeding, and the only remedy is the introduction of new blood, which the committee would strongly recommend to the fanciers who breed this description of fowl.

“ The committee were glad to see the Houdans so well represented, as this fowl, although not very taking to the eye so far as plumage goes, is one that is well worthy the attention of farmers and people who rear poultry for the market, the fowls being of a very hardy constitution, laying well, coming early for the market, and when killed being capital for the table.

In bantams the only entries were blackred and duckwing game, and none of the exhibits were of a superior character. “ It is much to be regretted that no entries were made either of turkey or geese, seeing that so large a number are required for the market, and that exhibitions go a great way towards the improvement of domestic poultry. “ Aylesbury ducks were well represented in quality by two pens shown by Mr J. Gould. In Rouen ducks there were a large number of entries, but although the whole of them were of a fair average weight, yet none of them really came up to the standard of excellence.

“ In pigeons, with the exception of five pens entered by Mr Harper, of Dunedin, and which were fairly successful as prizetakers, and one other exception, the whole of the exhibitors were the same as at last year’s show, and the quality, shown was about equal. It is a matter upon which the committee desire to express their surprise that more fanciers are not to be met with, and thej hope that next year the number of exhibits will not only be larger and of a better quality, but will represent a greater number of fanciers.

“ There was an excellent show of canaries, &c, which was held in a room apart from the other exhibits, the principal exhibitor being Mr T. Stapleton, who was, as usual, well to the fore in carrying off prizes. In addition to the ordinary prizes, he secured the Association’s prize of £5 offered for imported birds with six entries in the Norwich and lizard classes.

“ No portion of the £2O offered as special prizes for imported poultry was claimed. “ Taking into consideration the remarks of the judges in the Brahma classes, ycur committee are of opinion that it would be well for the incoming committee to offer three prizes instead of one for chickens, and also to consider the advisability of awarding only one prize unless there are more than three entries in any one class.

“ The amounts received for sales of poultry, &c, was about the same as last year, and, as a proof that fancy poultry breeding pays when carried out in a proper spirit, the committee would point out that one pen of daik Brahmas under ten months’ old, sold for £l2, and other birds were sold at high prices. “ From the statement of accounts annexed, your committee think that the association has reason to be satisfied with its financial position, having in hand,despite the decreased receipts at the doors, and the very large increase of prize money awarded, a cash credit balance of £37 18s ; of course this position has been brought about by means of the art union, and the practice of the strictest economy by the committee.

“ The committee are of opinion that more Systematic canvas should be made for special prizes, as success in this matter would naturally affect the financial position of the association.

“ The committee would also recommend to their successors the necessity of procuring a number of cages of an uniform pattern for the exhibition of canaries at the next show, “ The thanks of the association are due to the following gentlemen, who liberally gave special prizes—viz, Mr G. Gould, Mr Wynn Williams, Mr J. W. Oram, Mr J. Bay lee, Mr W, F. Warner, Mr John Hill, Mr E. Strange, Mr A. Saunders, Mr W. Schmidt, Mr Morton, Mr McCallum, Mr Proctor, Mr Sandstein, Mr Urquhart, Messrs Nashelski and Co, Messrs Peterson and Go, to Mr Aikman for storing the pens free of charge, to Mr H. E. Alport for auditing the hon treasurer’s accounts, and to Messrs Wood Brothers for receiving entries for the late exhibition.

Mr G. A. Reade moved the adoption of the report as read. Mr T. Stapleton seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr G. A, Reade, hon treasurer, read the financial statement, from which it appeared that there was a balance in hand of £37 10s.

Mr Joseoh Gould moved the adoption of the treasurer’s statement.

Mr E. Rees seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Glassford proposed—“ That the thanks e£ this meeting be given to the donors of private prizes.” Mr Reade seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Todd moved—“ That it be a recommendation to the in-coming committee to adopt Wright’s standard of excellence in place of Tegetmier’s for judging fowls at future exhibitions of the society.” Mr Rees seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr James suggested that it would be as well if the association got the standard of excellence of Mr Wright printed, so as breeders might know what to breed to. Mr Walker said that at his suggestion the chairman of the Public Library had included Wright’s work, so that any one interested could go and obtain a look at it free of cost, Mr Reade could not see the utility of printing the books as suggested. They had done so in respect to the last standard, and they had lost some £l4. Mr James thought that the committee would be able to issue a small pamphlet containing the information. After some further discussion of a desultory nature, Mr Glassford moved, “ That the question of printing the standard of excellence be left for the decision of the incoming committee.”

Mr Leversedge seconded the motion, which was carried.

The meeting then proceeded to elect the officers for the ensuing year, when the following gentlemen were elected;—Patron, his Honor the Superintendent; president, Mr George Gould ; vice-prtsidt nts : Messrs T. H Potts, A. Saunders, H. Sawtell, and J. R. Hill (re-elected) ; secretary, Mr Geo. W. Walker (re-elected); treasurer, Mr G. A. Reade(re elected ) The meeting had got thus far when itwas dis covered that none of those present were members, as the subscriptions expired on the 30th September. ; After some discussion, Mr Beade moved that rule ll.be amended as follows :—“ That the annual subscription to the Association be due and payable on the Ist November.

Mr Rees seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The following gentlemen were then nominated as committeemen, viz :—Messrs Macquarie, Staple*on, Rees, Thos.Williams, Glassford, James, Porter. Todd, J. Gould, W. Calvert, Nash, Wilkin, Peppered, J. Wood, senr, Thos. Waters, Strange, Olephane. E. H. Banks.

On the ballot the following twelve gentlemen were elected, viz:—Messrs Stapleton, Todd, Glassford, Rees, Williams, Gould, Macquarie, Banks, Wilkin, Strange, Jones, and Porter.

Mr Stapleton suggested that the Association should endeavor to obtain the co operation of some of the ladies of Christchurch as lady patronesses. He thought that they should make application to some of the ladies to endeavor to obtain their patronage. He would move—“ That Lady Wilson, Mrs Rolleston, and Mrs George Gould be requested to act as lady patronesses of the association, and that rule No 13 of the association be alteied so as to allow of this being done.” Mr Rees seconded the motion, which was agreed to. Mr Strange suggested that the secretary of the association should be instructed to write to Melbourne to ascertain whether it was possible to obtain the services ot a judge to come down and judge their birds. Unless this was done, he felt sure that the association would dwindle away to nothing. The secretary stated that the Dunedin society had spoken of the exchange of judges between the Dunedin and Christchurch associations.

Mr Reade pointed out that it would cost an exorbitant sum of money to bring a judge over from Melbourne.

Several members spoke as to the advisability of having judges outside the society, and ultimately, Mr Strange proposed “That the secretary be instructed to obtain information as to getting a judge from Melbourne or the other provinces.” The motion was agreed to. Mr James moved “That the name of Mr R. W. Fereday be added to the list of vicepresidents.” Mr Rees seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously. Mr Clephane moved “ That the thanks of the society be given to the retiring officers and committee for their services.”

The motion was agreed to, A vote of thanks to the chairman having been carried, the meeting adjourned.