CHRISTCHURCH POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

Globe, Volume XXI, Issue 1712, 15 August 1879, Page 4

CHRISTCHURCH POULTRY ASSOCIATION.

The annual meeting of tho Christchuroh Poultry, Pigeon, and Canary Society was held on Wednesday at 8 p.m., at the Shades, Mr W. G-. Walker in the chuir. The minutes of the previous annual meetingwere read and confirmed. The secretary read the following report, which was reoeived and adopted : In presenting the twelfth annual report, the committee have again to congratulate _ the society on an increase of entries, and considering the great commercial depression, the amount of support given to tho show by the general public is satisfactory. The numher of entries this year was 497, against 491 last year, and it must be borno in mind that this year the committee decided to do away with the classes " not for competition " in poultry and pigeons, and these last year numbered some twenty entries. The whole of the exhibits in poultry were of good quality, and some new classes were exhibited, notably a pair of white crested black Polish, by Mr Nancarrow, and two Andalusian hens, by Mr E. Strange. The Polish were recently imported under the auspices of the society.

Tho pigeons were, as usual, a great attraction to tho younger portion of the community, and showed an increase of entries, but in many of classes there was a great want of competition. Ihe canaries wero, on the whole, an improvement on last year, some very good birds being exhibited, showing that recent importations have improved the strains already here.

Immediately after the show last year it was necessary that the society should have some place to store the pens and other property, and after careful consideration it was determined to erect a shed. - Mr E. Strange kindly gave the society permission to do so on his premises, North town belt, for three years, at a peppercorn rent, and to provide the money. Mr _G. Gould, with hia usual liberality, lent the society JBSO for one year at the current rate of interest. This amount the committee are anxious to repay as soon as possible, and it will bo a subject for the incoming committee to consider. In accordance with a resolution passed by a general meeting of members, it was decided to offer facilities to members wishing to _ import birds, and in response to the advertisement eight members sent orders for birds, amounting to near .£IOO. The execution of tho order was entrusted to Mr Ludlow, of Birmingham, and, on the whole, he has given satisfaction. It is hardly possible to speak positively on the matter, as the birds had a very long (140 days) and boisterous passage, considering which they landed in first-class order, and the thanks of the society are due to Captain Bowie and his officers for the care that was taken of them, as out of the shipment (forty-two) thirty-five were landed. The committee have had several inquiries as to the likelihood of another importation, but have left the matter for their successors. The thanks of the society are due to G. Gould, Esq., for hia kindness in advancing money to build the shed, an! to Mr T. Stapleton also for advancing the money to remit to England for the birds to be sent out, also to the various gentlemen who gave special prizes, the judges, and to Mr J. .Hooper for receiving entries. W. G. Waleeb, Chairman. The statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ending August 13th showed the receipts to amount to £702 3s Id, exclusive of a balance from last year of £B3 16s lOd, and the expenditure for the same period £684 4s 4d, leaving a balance of £l7 18s 8d xDjwad, . 4Piit* ; itWS*lnent of ascertained assets and litbifitie* showed the formor to amount to — Balance in hand as per statement, £l7 18s 8d; nnpaipi ''&t< account of shipment per Bed Gauntlet, £8 13a 8d; special prizes unpaid, £23 2s-j total, £49 14s 4d. Liabilities, £4B Is sd; balance. £1 12s lid; total, £49 14* 44. It'was'moved by J. J. Parker, seconded by Mr Nancarrow, and carried, " That the statement of accounts as read and recommended by the committeebe adopted." It was moved by Mr Hill, nd seconded by Mr Parker, and carried opinion of the committee, a special vote of thanks is duo to Captain Bowie and the officers of the Bed Gauntlet, for the attention paid by them to the poultry and pigeons imported from England for members of the society." The election of office bearers was next proceeded with, and resulted as follows: Patron, Mr George Gould ; president, Mr B. W. Fereday 5 vice-presidents, his Worship the Mayor of Christchurch, and Messrs J. B. Hill, H. Sawtell, and A. Saunders ; treasurer, W. 0. Hill; secretary, W. T. O. Mills; managing committee, Messrs W. G. Walker, T. Stapleton, Beese, J. J. Parker, Nancarrow, Atkin, Earnshaw, Porter, O. Ooombes, P. Taylor, Strange, and Beade.

Totes of thanks being passed to the hon. secretary, Mr W. 0. Hill, the hon. treasurer, Mr W. T. O. Mills, and the outgoing committee, the meeting adjourned.