17 April 1986

Dear Mr Plant,

Your letter of April 4, 1986 arrived and was greatly appreciated. My wife, Pat, commented on your fine writing and I know she appreciated your remarks about Frank Gary’s attention to detail.

I expect that there will be a flurry of efforts to alter the Bantam Standard since Frank is gone. He always resisted that tendency in some who want to combine the Shape of Male and Shape of Female. I see by the latest Quarterly that the Cornish breeders are at it. Naturally I intend to write to the ABA in my effort to preserve the fashion that Frank found good. I guess I’ve become a self-appointed guardian.

I’m mindful of the troubles you have had in Australia in the absence of a national organization. My comment follows the line that Frank used when he advised  you to publish without seeking wide concurrence. Why not start an organization? In my reviews to write the history and development of the ABA, I have found that it sterns from a group of 14 who first tried to stay within the parent  APA but later found no satisfaction and went separately. I would doubt that anyone would object to your using the constitution and by-laws altered to fit your land. Frank always told me that the important elements were to recognize the rights of the members to comment and act, the need for the Board of Directors to conduct business openly (his numbered proposals) and to pay attention to the making known the winners at the shows, particularly the big ones. Sure there were other things. But the effect is obvious in the ABA Quarterly  in the From the mailbag  column and in Fred Jeffrey’s starred tins and master breeders listing. Frank might have said "Do it, forthwith!"

I got a letter a couple of weeks ago, I’ll not say from whom, but he related how he had attempted to find a detail in the APA Standard which took him ten minutes: his check against the ABA Standard took him thirty seconds to locate. Frank loved his system and believed it only common sense for everyone else to do so.

Have fun down under and enjoy the winter approaching. I’m looking forward to the sun and summer!

Sincerely,