AKAROA HORTICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 640, 1 September 1882, Page 2

AKAROA HORTICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL ASSOCIATION.

A meeting of those interested in continuing the exhibition of this association was called lor Wednesday evening by the Hon. Sec, Mr S. Watkins. About ten persons were present, and the committee having discussed their business, the Rev. 11. Stocker was voted to the chair, and the public meeting commenced. MINUTES. The minutes of the last annual meeting; were read and confirmed. CII AIRMAN'S fcTATBMKNT. The Chairman said that before starting with any new business he should like to say a few regarding an Article in the Mail, in which it was stated that the whole of the work was done by two or three, and sngge.ting the formation of a

larger committee, so that more general interest might be felt. What he desired

to point out was that they had always had

large committees elecfed, though few indeed imd taken a really active part. In 1878 they had bad a committee of sixteen, and all the schoolmasters; in 1879—six-

teen again, in 1880 seventeen, and last j ear fifteen. The average attendance,

however, had been very low, not more

than seven, and there had been great difficulty in spite of all tho pains they had

taken, to get persona to act at all. They had tried to interest tho public, and had carefully gone through the names of committcemen, striking off thoso that never attended or showed any interest, and putting fresh names in their place. The primary object of the Association had been to promote work of different kin Is in Akaroa,and to encourage drawing, needlework of every kind, a' d. other useful and ornamental studies. He

was bound tn say that this object had

failed, for yo.-ir by year the Akaroi exhibits grow less, and list yenr, had it not been

for tho Rnlrn -on'.s By S"hool and the Christch'inli exhibits, the Inhibition would

have lieen n failure. Me did nor think

they could lr>pe to compete • with Christ-cliUP-h in these things, for in-large centres

thov Ind firiiities, an I it had there-

fore been mooted to have two classes, 1 one for the Peninsula anil the other for outside. Thi-t, however, would necessitate twice as many prizes bcinsr given, and this they could not afford. Thrir difficulties seemed to t'e irroaw-r and greater year by year. One great drawback was undoubtedly the holding of (he-Inhibition on the Uegntta day". When people wore asked to subscribe in a lump both to the Regatta and the KxhP'ition it was "a serious drawback to the collection of sufficient funds. If. again, they h Id it at any other time than December 16th, they would probably not be able to use the Schoolroom ; and again, if they held it by itself, would they attract enough people to moke it pay? They must recollect that he waa now speaking of the Industrial Exhibition alone. If there wore any Horticultural Show, the schoolrooms would not be large enough, and expense would hnve to be incurred in going elsewhere, lie knew there were some who thought that Mr Watkins and himself did all the work, and thero wa? feeling : *tbat others might help. This, however, could hardly have bee.n done, fot the woik must be accomplished by two people of taking in the exhibits, arranging them, packing them up, and sending them away. l\' there were more than two there ■ would !>o bound to lie mistakes and confusion. Besides where were the other people who could have given three days to the work as Mr Watkins had done. They had done all they could to make the Exhibition attractive. (Applause.) Till! EXHIBITION. Tho Chairman said the next business was tc decide if they wen; to have an Industrial and Horticultural Exhibition that yvar. It was unanimously agreed an Exhibition slio,uld be held. THE DATE. The Clnirman then said the next point to settle was when the Exhibition should be held. Many people appeared to think that the IGth was not a suitable day, while at the same time others were of opinion it was better to bold it on Regatta Day, to profit by the influx of visitors. A very long discission ensued, and it was eventually agieed that the Exhibition should be held on January Ist 1889. 0 1 FICERS. "The following officers were then elected : —President, Rev. Win. Aylmer; VicePresidents, His Worship the Mayor and Mr Nalder ; Committee, the Key.. 11. Stocker, and Messrs Welsh, Ganvood, Billens, Bicknell, Perm, Peidington, C. Ne\vton ; Westenra, J .cobson, Morrison, Lee Wilkins, Chappell, S. Curry, Piper, Wj.ll-.ce, E. S. Lntter, T. S. Baker, W. McKay, Col McDonald, W-. B. Tosswill, Win. Barnet, Thacker, Boleyn, Hawthorne, H. Ilaylock, Gr. McKay, Coop, and Birdling. Messrs Stocker, Welsh, Ganvood, Billens, Bicknell, Perm, Penlington, C Newton, Westenra, Jacobson, Morrison, Lee, Wilkins,. and were appointed a working committee. COMMITTEE MIiETINQ. It was agreed that ihe first meeting of the committee, for tho purpose of raising the prize schedule, should be held on Tuesday evening next at 7.30 p.m., in the- . schoolroom. The meeting then adjourned.