1930
The 1929/30 honey season was the worst for 15 years, probably only one third of the previous season’s record crop. There were, at the time, 88,716 bee colonies.
The 1930 Annual Conference was held at the Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s Hall in Auckland from 15 to 17 July. The Conference was presided over by the President Mr R Gibb assisted by Secretary Mr A Ecroyd.
During Conference, scenic flights by aeroplane over Auckland and the harbour were arranged and a number of the beekeeper visitors to Auckland went up.
Mr R Gibb (Menzies Ferry) was re-elected as President, and Mr PA Hillary (Tuakau) as Vice President. Executive was Mr JN Schmidt (Turua), Mr AH Davies (Hamilton), Mr E Woods (Rangiora) and Mr W Watson (Geraldine).
Conference discussion centred on the questions related to local market. Viewpoints on the actually handling of honey differed (should individual brands be allowed, or should there be a central depot?) but the majority of opinion seemed to be that some form of controls were required to maintain the price and reputation of honey.
With two record crops in 1927/28 and 1928/29 and a world depression, the HPA had a difficult year. The low export (about 50 tons) for 1930 was anticipated to allow the next season’s honey to go forward to a practically bare market. C and E Morton had taken over as agents for the HPA from Mills and Co. following a trip to England by Mr J Rentoul, Chairman of the Honey Export Control Board.
The Weed Process machinery for the manufacture of foundation was installed by Mr A Ecroyd at his foundation making factory in Christchurch.