AUCKLAND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 154, 29 June 1907, Page 7

AUCKLAND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

CONTINUED PROSPERITY.

The tenth annual meeting of the Auckland Horticultural Society was presided over last evening by Mr. WinHandley, members being present in considerable numbers. In the annual report it was stated that although on other occasions the financial year had ended with credit bal..ances of £i! 0 and upwards, as against an overdraft on this occasion of £8 19/, 'it could be confidently affirmed that the society had never at any period during the ten years of its existence shown i snch prosperity as at the present time. The year" 1906 ended with an overdraft of £12 6/7. mostly inherited from the ' transactions of the previous year. Notwjthstanding a slight increase in prize : jnoney and an expenditure of over £40 t for plant, the debit of the society had "this year been reduced by £3 7/7. The first show of the season was held on - August 31, and September 1; and the exhibition of narcissi and other bulbous plants was by far the finest yet seen in Auckland. The attendances were evidence of the general admiration it aroused. In regard to the question of prize money, the committee had decided ____mly in accordance with the wish of the chief exhibitors —to award medals and trophies only. These would not be scheduled in every class, but with a few important exceptions, would be awarded at the discretion of the judges. The summer show, held on November 23 and 24, also proved a most gratifying success, being one of the best displays .of jecent years. Sweet peas and carna- - tiorts —hardly in evidence the preceding year, provided, some of the most splen_d~ exhibits of the show. There was _so a distinct advance in the children's show, both in numbers # and quality. The lieavy expenditure for tents and lightning) necessitated by lack of space in the Choral Hall, made it improbable that this show would pay until the much-to-be-desired town hall was erected. By careful management, however, the loss iad been reduced from about £w in 1905 to less than £10 in 19U6. The year's expenditure amounted to £292 14/6. The chrysanthemum show of 1907, from a horticultural standpoint, was not .equal to those of recent years. This ■was to he accounted for by the peculiarly unfavourable season. Dahlias, however, -were of a high standard of excel- ■ lence. The committee's thanks were due to the Ladies' Committee the labours of whose members had largely contributed to the success of the shows, : =-xlso to the judges and donors of special prizes. Honorary fellowships, with •ifnfl privileges, were conferred on Mrs. E 'J.j Harvey and Mr. William Goldie, for valuable services rendered. Life membarship was conferred on Mr. W. SatehelL The Report and balance-sheet were adopted, afteT which the election of cffi.cer—took places with the following result : — Patron: His Excellency Lord Plunket; vice-natron Mr. H. Brett; - president the Mayor (Mr. A. M. Myers) ; vice-presidents, Sir John Logan Campbell, the Hon. E. llitehelson, the Hon. George Fowlds, and Mr. D. L. Murdoch; hon. treasurer. Mr. J. S. Jacka; hon. auditor Mr. E. S. Medley F.N.Z.A.A.: hon. solicitor, Mr. F. H. .Williamson; hon.\ auctioneer, Mr. T. Jackson ; ""committee, Messrs. Handley (chairman). F. H. Brown, ■ / H. Hutchinson. E. J. Harvey. G. Hunt, W. Satchell, H. W. Taylor, W. Nelson, 'and A. E. Grindrod.