HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 236, 12 March 1875, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual dinner of the Cbristchurch Horticultural Society was held on Thursday at the Clarendon Hotel, when there was a large attendance of members. The chair was occupied by Mr W. Wilson, the vice chairs being filled by Messrs W. Montgomery and B. C. J. Stevens, The dinner was very well served, and reflected credit upon the purveyor, Mr J. Wagner. The tables were nicely decorated with several epergnes of choice flowers. After ample justice had been done to Mr Wagner's providing, the chairman gave the usual loyal toasts, which were drank with enthusiasm. An apology was received from his Honor the Superintendent, explaining that his absence was caused by his being present at the unveiling of the picture of P.P.C. S. Abrahams, and enclosing a cheque for £5 5s for special prizes. In proposing the health of his Excellency the Marquis of Normandy, the president said that he believed that his Excellency would soon visit Canterbury, and he felt assured that he would receive a hearty welcome when he did come amongst them. Mr E. C. J. Stevens proposed the "General Assembly, coupled with the name of Mr W. Montgomery," in doing so he alluded to the great and increasing influence of that body on the prosperity and development of the colony. The undertaking of public works and immigration by the Colonial Government had made it inevitable that the greatest importance to the public welfare must attach to the action and deliberations of the General Assembly, and this would be more and more so as the colony advanced, To horticulturists the adoption in the last session of a measure for the conservation and creation of state forests might have a special interest, however uncertain its success might be. [Hear, hear.] Mr W. Montgomery responded to the toast. The President next proposed—' His Honor the Superiutendent and the Executive Council," coupled with the name of Mr Montgomery. Mr Montgomery responded. Mr E. C. J. Stevens proposed " His Worship the Mayor and the City Council," spaaking in eulogistic terms of his Worship the Mayor,

I His Worship the Mayor responded to the toast, and explained that he could not earlier attend, owing to having been present at the unveiling of the picture of P. P. C. S Abrahams. He could assure them that the position of Mayor at the present time was not a bed of roses, as hardly had he got into harness before he was called upon to encounter the difficulty of the cabmen. The late Kesident Magistrate (the Hon C. C. Bowen) had said that after the decision in his Court, and having to work under the Act, the members of the City Couucil need be astute lawyers to construe the Act under which they had to work. In fact, he might say that it was very difficult to work under the present Act, and he trusted that Mr Montgomery and the other members of the House of Representatives would help in getting a new Act, or, at any rate, the present one amended. They were as a Council called upon to do a preat deal of work with a very little mouey, therefore he asked them to think of this when criticising their conduct. [Hear, hear.] Mr Montgomery rose to propose the next toast, that of the " Christchurch Horticultural Society," coupled with the name of its president, Mr Wm. Wilson. It was not necessary for him to say how much horticulture should be fostered in addressing those present, but he might say that it would be better if there was only one society instead of two. [Hear,hear.] Hethoughtthiswasonlya lover's quarrel, and that it would soon blow over, and the society as one would soon grow and be supported by the citizens of Christchurch. He trusted, whether there was one society or two societies, that horticulture would be supported, as it tended to refine and make gentler those amongst whom it wns flourishing. He gave them " The Horticultural Society," and he felt sure that with the energy of the president the society would prosper. He would couple with the toast the name of Mr William Wilson. [Cheers.] The President rose to respond, and said he felt very great pleasure in replying to the toast so warmly responded to by the members present. He might say that at their first exhibition on the 13th November they had a fine show of plants, and took £76 for admission money only. This had given them money to conduct their shows on a principle of greater liberality. They had afterwards held a rose show, at which there was a large attendance of the population of the province—shewing the great interest which was felt in the show. They had afterwards held their autumnal show which had been a great a great success, both in the matter of attendance and plants, thus shewing that the rivalry existing did not affect the parent society, but on the contrary it seemed to him that emulation made the societies both better. He hoped to see during the visit of the Governor a show of chrysanthemums and grapes grown out-door, which would give impetus to out-door grape growing He might say that if this show was got up he would himself give a prize of £5 for the best grapes grown, and if he himself took the prize he would feel it his duty to hand it over to the society or to the second best exhibitor. [Hear, hear.] The other toasts given were " The VicePresidents," coupled with the names of Mr B. C. J. Stevens and Mr W. Montgomery, who responded ; " The Donors of extra prizes," responded to by Mr Montgomery ; " The Treasurer. Mr G. Gordon," "The Secretary," "The Successful Exhibitors," "The Committee of Management," and " The Ladies." During the evening the following extra prizes were handed to the various winners:— Mr Allen's prize for strawberries, Mr Sisson; Sir C. Wilson's prize for coniferous plants, Mr A. Duncan ; silver medal given by Mr Sandstein for six new or rare plants, natives of New Zealand or Chatham Islands, Mr W. J. Smith; Mr Veitch's prize for two new or rare plants, Mr A. Davidson, Mr A. Duncan second prize; Mr Davidson first prize collection of six stove or greenhouse plants; Mr Leigh's prize for eighteen varieties of roses, Ist, Mr Jackman, 2nd, Mr Crooks; Mr Greenaway's prize of six roses for exhibitors who have never taken a prize, Mrs Campbell; Mr Gould's prize for roses in open class, Mr Greenaway; amateur prize for thirty roses, Mr H. Crooks; Mr Wilson's prize collection of apples won by Mr Stanley; 2nd do, Mr Sisson; Mr Wilson's prize for collection of pears, Mr D Robertson. Hand bouquets, boys and girls under 15, Master J. Craw; Master Nairn, 2ud; Miss Merson, 3rd. Highest number of points made by amateurs during the season, Ist prize won by Mr H. Crooks, 92 points ; 2nd do by Mr W. J. Smith, 67 points.