OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIV, Issue 126, 18 November 1911, Page 6

OUR FEATHERED FRIENDS.

(By '-'Cock-o'-the-North"). The second annual conference of the New Zealand Poultry Association was held in Christohurch on Tuesday, November 7, at the Young Men's Christian Association buildings. Mr. J. Harvey, of Dunedin, was eleoted chairman pro tern. The proceedings opened with a reception to the delegates and members of the Association. Councillor Cooper (on behalf of the Mayor, who was unavoidably absent] j in welcoming the delegates to the city of Chris-tchurcli, strongly eulogised union in any industry, and expressed keen appreciation of the presence ol so many ladies. He instanced the poultry industry in America and its huge proportions as an incentive to New Zealand poultrymen to try and emulate them. He also drew attention to the possibilities of the export trade under modern conditions. Councillors Gapes and Holland also spoke much in the same strain.

Dr. Russell, vice-president of the Christchurch Poultry Club, also addressed the conference and gave a very interesting and instructive address. The chairman expressed the thanks of the conference to the various speakers. ° The secretary expressed regret that the invitation to attend had not been more generally responded to, and touched upon the various points on which it was desirable the Government should be approached.

Mr. J. Harvey was appointed president of the Association % the ensuing year. The report was then read and adopted and the balance-sheet was held over for audit.

Lady Islington was unanimously elected patroness of the Association. The ist of vice-presidents was revised and a number of names deleted, afler which the following were added to the list published last year:—Mr. J. Bravshaw, Stratford; Mr. F. E. A. Gordon; Waitara; Dr. Russell, Christehurch; Mr. G. Forbes, M.P.; Mr. .1. A. Harman, Southland; Mr. R. H. Hawke, Christchurch; Messrs Davies, Witty, Laurenson and Parata, M.P.'s; and Mr. E. O'Reilly, Dunedin. The executive committee was elected as follows:—Messrs Gordon, Rutherford, Stoetton, Hodson and Sail. Mr. J. B. Merrett, of Ohristclmrch, was unanimously re-elected secretary. In the evening the boys of the Gordon Hall Institute entertained the delegates. A paper on the raising of chicks was read by Mr. Rose, of Burnham. Mr. Rose, who looked decidedly ill, was warmly received, and his paper was freely discussed, several interesting points being discussed from both sides of the question by Messrs Harvey and Gordon. The assembled visitors then broke up into social groups, and later were served with refreshments, the evening concluding .with hearty votes to those responsible for the entertainment.

On Wednesday, November 8, Mr. Gordon gave notice of motion for Thursday to Tescind rules 3 and 4, dealing with metropolitan agents, and to substitute others releasing the Association from the need of drawing out fidelity bonds for the said agents and giving the governing body a free hand in the appointment of same.

Mr. Hawke was elected a working vice-president for the South Island.

A paper pn the export trade was read by the president, as proxy for Mr. Brit-tain-Bull, of Auckland, and evoked considerable discussion. The secretary was directed, on the, motion of Mr. Gordon, to write Mr. Brittam-Bull expressing the thanks of the Association to him for his able and interesting paper. It was resolved to approach the Government with a view to sending away a trial shipment of eggs to test the Canadian winter market. Resolved that the New Zealand Poultry Journal be the official organ of the Association.

A paper on local trade was then read by Mr. A, E, Kent, of Christclmrch. This paper was very adversely criticised by those present. Mr. Kent assumed a great deal in his paper which he was utterly unable to support when assailed. He was accorded a vote of thanks.

A very remarkable and able paper was read by Mr. J. M. Ferguson, of Wellington. This was certainly the ablest paper read at the conference, and the reader's delivery was perfect. It was keenly appreciated, but on account of time the discussion was postponed till the evening session. The delegates then visited the Utility Poultry Club's competition and the New Zealand Poultry Journal Institute. The postponed discussion on Mr. Ferguson's paper took place later. Mr. F. E. A. Gordon then gave an address on tireless brooders, which was well received and evoked keen and appreciative discussion, after which Mr. Gordon received a hearty vote of thanks. A paper on lessons from the Egg Circle movement was read by Mr. Rutherford, and, after some discussion, he was 'heartily thanked.