1911
Early in 1911 came the first systematic effort to export surplus honey, made by the Taranaki, Canterbury and Waikato Beekeepers’ Associations. One of the immediate effects was an increase in the local price.
October, 2014
1910
In 1909-1910 Canterbury had a record season with average return being nearly 200 pounds per hive. Much was sold at 3d per pound and lower.
1909
Mr Isaac Hopkins left the Department of Agriculture in June 1909, but was asked to stay on to continue to do his work.
1908
Mr WB Bray was appointed to the position of inspector under the Act for the whole of the South Island in January 1908. There is a widely-told story with the industry that he was issued with a bicycle and a rail pass to carry out his travels. A contemporary photo makes it more likely it […]
1907
While there were few fully commercial apiarists in New Zealand, one unnamed beekeeper did produce a crop of 32 tons in 1907, according to Mr R Gibb when opening the 1930 NBA Conference. Mr I Hopkins persuaded the Minister to introduce a new Apiaries Act in 1907 to replace the 1906 Act which had been […]
1906
The first honey house at the Ruakura Farm of Instruction was built in 1906 at a cost of £45. Miss Lena Livesay, assistant to Mr I Hopkins, commenced duties as manageress of the Ruakura apiary in January. Mr Seddon decided to foster small holdings production in 1906 with the passing of the first Apiaries Act. […]
1905
In June, Mr Isaac Hopkins, recently appointed apiarist to the Department of Agriculture, established an apiary at the Ruakura Farm of Instruction, near Hamilton. Though there had been some hives there in 1904 and in 1905 in both instances they had been destroyed by foulbrood.
The early years…
In 1877 Mr Isaac Hopkins of Auckland promoted the use of the Langstroth frame hive. In 1880 the first Italian bees were imported. In one or more of those early shipments American foulbrood was introduced. In 1881 Mr TG Brickell, Senior, and uncle of Mr AB Callick who in 1930 was manager of Alliance Bee […]