HRTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume IX, Issue 1296, 15 May 1878, Page 3

HRTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of this society took place last evening at Radcliffe’s Hotel. Prior to the general meeting a committee meeting was held, Mr F. Jones in the chair.

The report of the committee for the year and the treasurer’s accounts were x’ead by the secretary and adopted. The annual general meetingwas then held, Mr E. C. J. Stevens (the president) in the chair. The secretary, Mr J. Greenaway, then read the sixteenth annual report of the society, as follows; —

In presenting the sixteenth annual report, yonr committee do so with very great pleasure, for at the close of no year since the society's formation, could its operations throughout be reviewed so favorably as at the present one. The first exhibition of the season was hold, as usual, in connection with the annual gathering of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association on the 9th November, and proved a great success. The fruit and vegetable departments, owing to the lateness of the season, were rather poorly filled, hut any deficiency in these was amply compensated by the very fine display of pot plants, many of which ware staged in competition for the extra prizes given by members. The attendance was also very gratifying to yonr committee, being the largest the society has had at any exhibition it has held. The gate takings amounted to £B3 4s Gd, which added to the great increase in members this season, many of whom also attended the show, would give the total number of visitors as not less than 2000. The rose show was held in fhe Congregational schoolroom on November 28th, no other suitable place being available on that date. The roses generally, owing to the unfavourable weather, were not. up to the excellence of some previous vears, though many fine stands were staged. In addition to the roses, &c., brought for competition, there were several fine collections of plants for exhibition only, contributed by several members of the society. These with the roses made one of the prettiest displays the society has had at this season, and one which seemed to he thoronghly appreciated by the public, who patronised the show to a much larger extent than at any previous rose show. The takings at the door, including tickets sold expressly for this show, amounted to £l7 4s. The autumn show was held in the Oddfellows’ Hall on Tuesday, March sth. lu connection with this show a new feature was introduced in the shape of an art union, with the hope that the public interest in the society might be stimulated, and that the society’s finance might also be improved. Both objects were realised to a satisfactory extent, a large (fathering being secured and the society’s funds being materially augmented. Before leaving this portion of the report, yonr committee desire to express its indebtedness to all those friends of the society who contributed so liberally all that was necessary in the way of prizes for the art union, and to whom the success of the undertaking is mainly due; and your committee beg to suggest, that should an art union be contemplated in the future, the advisableness of extending the show over two days, as it is impossible to conduct the distribution and other matters connected therewith satisfactorily in one. The show itself was a fine one. The only weak point was the pot plants, which were not quite up to what are usually brought forward at this season. The cut liowers and fruit made an excellent display, and were quite up to the average. The vegetable departments were well filled, and seldom, if ever, has such a tine collection been brought together at the autnmn show. Your committee have reason to congratulate the society on the great improvement that has taken place this year in its financial position. As will be seen from the treasurer's statement, the income of the society has been sufficient to pay all prize moneys and other demands in full, and to carry forward a considerable balance. The increase from subscribers alone has been more than doubled. The best thanks of the society are due to those members who so liberally place 1 at the disposal of the committee the extra prizes. The great improvement in the shows being largely due to the competition brought out for these. Your committee cannot close this report without satisfaction at the result of the year generally, and their confidence that an active and careful management will ensure for the society a most prosperous future. H. C. J. Stevens, President.

The treasurer’s statement of accounts was read, and it showed that the receipts had been £378 3s Id, which included a balance from last year. The expend.ture for same period, including disbursements on account of preceding year, amounted to £268 16s 3d, leaving a balance to credit of £lO9 6s lOd. The statement of assets and liabilities showed the former to be £ll9 6s lOd, and the latter £34 16s 6d, leaving a balance to be carried forward on the asset and liabilities account of £B4 7s 4d. The report and statement o? accounts, which latter was signed by the auditors, were adopted. Mr Eeade, the hon. treasurer, read a comparative statement showing that in subscriptions, private prizes, and door money the society had doubled the results of last year. The meeting then proceeded to consider the alteration of the rule referring to the election of vice-presidents. Mr P. Jones moved—“ That the word ‘ four ’ be omitted from before the words ‘ vice presidents ’ in Rule 1.” Some discussion ensued, and ultimately Mr Jones’ motion win seconded by Mr Roade. Mr Collins moved as an amendment—“ That the word ‘ two ’ be inserted in lieu of the word 4 four.’ ”

Mr Guntrip seconded the amendment. Some further discussion ensued, and ultimately both resolution and amendment were withdrawn. The election of officers was then proceeded with, when the following gentlemen were elected as office-bearers of the society for the ensuing rear President, Mr E, C. J. Stevens (reel cted); vice-presidents, Messrs Wynu Williams, G. Gould, W. Norman, and Professor Bickerton; committee, Messrs Duncan, F. Jones, Guntrip, T. Turner, D. .Nairn, C. River, D: Craw, S. Manning, J. Alien, R. W. Fereday, Harvey, and Gimblctt; treasurer, Mr G. A. Reads (re-elected); secretary, Mr J. Greenaway (re elected); auditors, Messrs J. A. Bird and H. E. Alport. Mr Duncan moved a cordial vote of thanks to the secretary and treasurer for the verv zealous manner in which they had discharged their duties —a zeal to which the success of last year was mainly due. Mr Jones seconded the motion with great pleasure, speaking in the liigtse t terms of the way in which bota officers had discharged their duties.

The motion was carried unanimously, as was also a vote of thanks to the auditors for last year—Messrs Bird and A. Duncan. Mr Jones moved a very hearty vote of thanks to the president. Mr E. G. J. Stevens, who had been the life and soul of the society, au l who had taken a df ep and absorbing interest in it. Mr Guntrip seconded the motion, which was carried unanimously.

The Prjsi'ii nt responded, congratulating the society upon the large amount of success which had attended its operations during the pas ' Tfcs nuking iten winded,