CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 252, 2 April 1875, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of the members of the Uhristchurch Horticultural Society was held last evening at the Clarendon Hotel. In the absence of the president, Mr W. Wilson, Mr E. C. J. Stevens, vice-president, was voted to the chair. The secretary, Mr W. H. Newman, read the report of the committee:— "In bringing up this, the thirteenth annual report, your committee are glad to be able to lay before its memben a favorable account of the society's doings during the past year ; the more so when it considers the extra exertion that has been necessary in order to maintain the reputation of the society at its exhibitions owing to the withdrawal of support from several who have usually given great assistance by their numerous productions, both for competition and exhibition. In the interests of horticulture your committee trust that the season just closed will prove quite an exception in this respect, and that not only may we look with confidence for a return of the usual competitive element, which is the life of our exhibitions, but also that the largely increased and more settled character of the community may lead to a great increase of members, and also to an addition to the list of competitors at our shows. The treasurer's statement, your committee believes, shows a balance on the right side, and altogether a better financial position than the society has enjoyed for some time past. This arises not so much from the largely augmented income, as from the smaller amount of indebtedness, chiefly brought about by the carrying out of the resolution of the last annual meeting, to hold but two general exhibitions instead of three as formerly. While your committee recommends an adherence to this course in the future, it is at the same time of opinion that the interests of horticulture would be furthered by offering a few prizes at two or three of our monthly meetings through the season, for plants, &c, which cannot be produced—or only in bad condition—at our usual shows. " The first exhibition was held as usual in connection with that of the Agricultural and Pastoral Associations, and proved a great success. It was also the most advantageous to the society's finances ever held at this season; and your committee strongly recommend to the early attention of the incoming committee the necessity of making this show as attractive to the public as possible by providing a larger place in which to hold the show, and by inducing exhibitors to bring forward at this show the greatest variety of plants and other productions of which the province is capable. Your committee considers that the drawing up the schedule for this show at a much earlier date than usual, would materially conduce to this object by giving competitors a longer time to prepare their productionei

" The rose show was held, by the kindness of the president, W. Wilson, Esq, in his buildings, and for position and general suitableness, was all that could be desired: and your committee wish to record the obligation the society is under to the president, not only for the free use of his rooms, but for the material assistance he afforded in other ways to m ike the show a success This show, through the previously unfavourable weather for roses, wps not equal to that of last year; but when it is considered that the show is almost exclusively dependent on one kind of flower for its display, this exhibition may be considered highly creditable. It is also gratifying to record that fresh competitors are coming forward, and that the cultivation of the rose has been largely extended since the establishment of this show, and in none of the society's efforts is there more interest taken than in this. '• The last show of the season was held in the Oddfellows' Hall, and was altogether very creditable, though some classes lacked the spirited competition so necessary to good exhibitions. The quality of the exhibits generally was very fine, and in some departments the productions staged may be said to be the finest ever seen at any of the society's exhibitions. The attendance also, though not great, was quite up to the average at this season. "In conclusion your committee desire to remember the large amount of assistance the society has received from those friends who have given such goodly sums under the head of extra prizes, and trust that the superior quality of exhibits generally brought forward to compete for these prizes will not only eusure the continuance of such material support, but may be sufficient to call forth even greater liberality in the same direction. " John Greenaway, " Henry Crooks, "Members of the Sub-Committee." On the motion of Mr Stewart, seconded by Mr Leigh, the report was received and adopted. The hon treasurer, Mr Gordon, stated the balance from last year was £B7 Is; donations for special prizes, £29 18s; receipts at shows, £BS lis 6d; rose show. £l3 9s 3d; other receipts, £67 Os 9d; total receipts, £283 Os 6d. Expenditure, £lB9 18s 2d; balance in hand, £93 2s 4d; total, £283 Os 6d. The balance sheet of assets and liabilities showed the assets to be £ll2 2s 4d; liabilities, £B3 9s 6d; balance in hand, £2B 12s lOd; total, £ll2 2s 4d. The treasurer's statement, as audited by Mr Duncan, was approved. The meeting then proceeded to elect officers for the ensuing year, when the following were chosen :—President, Mr W. Wilson ; vice-presidents, Messrs Gould, Montgomery, Stevens, Webb, Lysaght. and Sir Cracroft Wilson ; honorary treasurer, Mr G. Gordon ; secretary, Mr W. H. Newman; auditors, Messrs Duncan and Gilmour; committee, Messrs Napier, J. Allen, W. T. Mitchell, Greenaway, Chudley, Crooks, Low, T. Allen, B. Strange, J. Leigh, D. Craw, and Kennington. A vote of thanks to the chairman terminated the proceedings.