18 May 1981

Dear Mr Plant,

It has been some time since we have exchanged correspondence. I have had a number of problems this year that have not permitted me to complete action on the Australian Australorp Bantam. Lynn Brenneman has passed away and noon has been appointed as his replacement. In addition I have been in a bind in having illustrations completed for the Fifth Edition of the Standard for the twelve additional breeds to be included. These twelve breeds had to be approved by the Board of Directors before they could be included in the Fifth Edition which was accomplished at the Columbus, Ohio, annual meeting. Mr. Jeffrey informs me that this edition will be off-the-press in about a month’s time and I will see that you are furnished with a copy of It.

The Australian Game, the Australian Pit Game, and the Pekin could not be acted upon at the Columbus meeting because the descriptions had not been exposed either in our Quarterly or our Yearbook in time for action to be taken.

I am anxiously awaiting the illustrations of the Pekin Bantam which I believe you informed me would be done by your son. I would appreciate receiving three photographic copies of this illustration by the 1st of September. Do you think that you could meet that time? The drawing should be an ideal Male facing the ideal Female in any color you may choose that is described in the material previously sent you.

In a little over a year, Mrs Gary has been in the hospital four times and about three weeks ago, two days after a cataract operation which was quite successful, she suffered a heart attack. Three days later she suffered a mild stroke. She returned home Saturday and is improving slowly.

I hope that everything is well with you, your wife and your son. I do miss writing and hearing from you and look forward to your next letter.

I appreciate the detail you furnished regarding the Australian judging systems which will be useful in the future. As in Australia, we Americans while still being individualists are prone to organize greatly.

Sincerely,