CHRISTCHURCH POULTRY SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2030, 26 August 1880, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH POULTRY SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the above society was hold last evening at the Shades, Hereford street, at half-past seven o’clock. There was a good attendance of members, Mr R, W. Peroday, president of the society, in the chair.

Tho hon, secretary (Mr W. T. 0. Mills) read tho annual report, which showed an increase of at least 20 per cent, in the door money at the society’s last exhibition as compared with tho previous year. In tho different poultry cla-ses increased exhibits wore made in game, Dorkings, Langshans, and Hamburghs ; also in pigeons: Barbs, Jacobins, fantails, barbs, owls, and Antwerps. , The canary classes showed an increase of thirteen exhibits. In some classes there was a falling off, but the total entries showed an increase of four over those of 1879. Tho largest fulling off was in Spanish and Cochins. Exhibits in the poultry classes were received from Dunedin, Mosgiel, Port Chalmers, and Ashburton, and they carried off a fair show of prizes. In this department the show was fully up to|tho standard of former years. The canaries showed greater excellence than in former years. As regarded importations, it was recommended that in future, if possible, the birds should bo forwarded by steamer, as the present system entails a great deal of work on the officers. The report concluded as follows :—“ The thanks of tho society are due to Mrs Findlay, a lady in England, who takes a great interest in poultry societies, and generously gave the society a pen of Houdans, which arrived here safely with the other birds ordered. Tho thanks of tho society are also duo to tho following gentlemen as donors of special prizes :—His Worship the Mayor, Messrs Q. Gould, R. W. Fereday, Edwards, Bennett and Co., J. GK Euadonklau, 8. Manning, T. Shand, Wood, Shand and Co., J. W. Morton, Toomer Bros., Coates and Co., Petersen and Co., M. MoOallum, A. Duncan, W. H. Porter, Ward and Co., B. Strange, W. Wilson, B. Allan, J. Wilkin, D. Fisher, W. GK Kemp, E. Bavenhill. O. Lszard, H. Hobday, S. Nasheloki, H. Sawtell, M. Sandstcin, P. Trent, and P. Taylor ; the Pbess Company and proprietors “ Lyttelton Times also to the following gentlemen for acting as judges: Messrs E. Bees, T. Stapleton, J. Wood, W. GK Walker, E, Harrison, E. H. Banks, and T. Batchelor. A special vote of thanks is also due to Messrs F. Smith and Co., of London, who have superintended the two shipments of poultry, and have most generously remitted all the usual charges, only charging the amount they have actually expended.” Tho hon. treasurer, Mr W. O. Hill, then read tho balance sheet and statement of assets and liabilities of the society, by which it appeared that the total receipts for tho year ended August 24th amounted to .£572 19s 3d, whilst the total expenditure was £550 11s sd, leaving a'cash balance of £22 7s 10s. Noticeable amongst tho receipts were—Door money, £35 17a 6d ; proceeds, Art Union, £92 : entry fees, £B6 13s 6d. Tho expenditure showed amounts expended in society’s prizes, £127 10s; special prizes, £25 4s; and purchase of Art Union prizes, £2l ss. The assets of the society showed a balance of £44 2a 4d over liabilities. The report and balance-sheet wore unanimously received and adopted. The next business was tho election of officers. Mosers George Gould and R. W. Foreday wore unanimously re-elected patron and president. Messrs J. R. Hill, H. Sawtell, E. Strange, and O. T. Ick (Mayor of Christchurch) were elected vice-presidents. Messrs W. O, Hill and W. O. T. Mills were unanimously reelected as honorary treasurer and honorary secretary respectively. The following twelve gentlemen were elected ao the committee : Pieters T. Stapleton, son., W. G. Walker, W, H. Porter, J. 11. Hall, J. Goodman, J. J. Parker, C. Adkin, P. Taylor, W. B. Earnshaw, C. Wragge, A. Smith, and O, Coombs. Mr J. J. Parker moved—“ That this society acknowledges the valuable services rendered to it by their officers, the honorary secretary and hon. treasurer, Messrs Mills and Hill, and vote each of them the sum of £lO 10s as on honorarium, leaving to those gentlemen the option of choosing a piece of plate of that value or the money.” He congratulated the society on its present position, which was in a very great measure due to the zeal shewn by these gentlemen.

I Mr Goodman seconded the motion, and passed a high eulogium on the gentlemen in question. ! Mr Hill disclaimed all credit, and thought the whole gum should be voted to Mr Mills, who had worked very hard for the society. Mr T. Stapleton, son., said, after the remarks that had fallen from Mr Hill, he would move as an amendment—“ That an honorarium of £ls 15s bo presented to the hon. secretary in recognition of his valuable services.’' Mr Parker concurred, and asked leave to withdraw his motion in favor of the amendment, which on being put was carried unanimously. Mr Mills returned thanks for the kind recognition of his services. He considered that the thanks of the Society were due to the late committee, to whose earnest action the success of their recent show was mainly due.

Mr E. Strange proposed a hearty vote of thanks to their honorary treasurer, saying that despite that gentleman’s modest disclaimer, ho was an excellent officer of tho society. Mr J. J. Porker seconded the motion, which was carried by acclamation. Mr Mills moved —“That in future no second prize be given in classes where there is no competition, and that when a special prize of £1 Is in money is given, tho Society’s prize bo withheld.” Mr Goodman seconded the resolution.

Considerable discussion ensued, some members contending that the effect of tho resolution, if carried, would he to shut out many good birds, besides being unfair to importers.

The motion was carried by 9 to 6. Mr Poreday suggested that, with a view to facilitate judging at future shows, a printed form of schedule (as shown by him) should bo used. This could be kept as a record of the basis on which the different decisions were arrived at. A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the proceedings.