CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 1953, 28 May 1880, Page 3

CHRISTCHURCH HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of the above society was held last evening, in the rooms of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, at 8 o’clock. The president of the society, Mr E. O. J. Stevens, M.H.R., occupied the chair.

The annual report of the society was read by the chairman ; In presenting the eighteenth annual report the committee are pleased to state that the society still occupies a flourishing position, which will be a source of gratification to its numerous members and well-wishers. The first exhibition of the season was he d in the Orange Hall, and was on the occasion open during the day, instead of the evening, as heretofore. As this show has been held for the purpose of encouraging the growth of auriculas primulas and other spring flowers, it was confidently hoped that a day exhibition would have shown better results than previously. In this the committee were disappointed, and it will bo for their successors to consider whether they will bo justified in again trying the experiment of holding it during the day. The regular Spring Exbibidon was ns usual held by kind permission in the grounds of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and on the occasion of their exhibition. It was a great success, both financially and as regards the quality of the articles sent for exhibition and competition It was a matter of regret to your committee that one of the most successful contributors did not enter on this occasion, otherwise the marquees would h tve beea crowded with exhibits. The intere-t taken by the general public in this exhibition has gone on steadily increa log. and it remains with the society to maintain this by sending in plants, cut flowers, fruit, and vegetables, in larger numbers and of superior merit The ro-o show was as usual held in the first week in December, in the Congregational Schoolroom, and taken as a whole was quite up to the average of previous seasons. The number of competitors goes on steadily increasing, there being several new ones who have entered the lists for the first time. The number of entries for the past season was twenty-seven mo-e than in the previous one. The large attendance of members of the society and the general public was most marked, and denoted the great interest that is being taken in the queen of flowers. A small exhibition of carnations and pmotees was held early in January, but it is a question whether the growth of these is yet sufficiently general to warrant a repetition of their exhibition. The usual autumn show was hold in the Oddfellows’ Hall, Lichfield The exhibits of pot plants, cut flowers, f-uifs, and vegetables were numerous, and in many cases showed that great care had been oestowed upon them by growers. In connection with this show was held the annual art union, which, as previously, was the means of inducing a large amount of public interest to he taken in the exhibition. On the 27th April last the chrysanthemum show was held in the Congregational schoolroom, and, as was anticipated, proved to be greatly in advance of anything previously attempted. The magnificent stand sent by Mr Forsyth, of Oatnaru, last year, was the means of stimulating our local growers to exert themselves in bringing out sup rior flowers on this occasion, and although the exhibits were far in advance of anything that had been grown here previously, they could not compare with the statd of flowers again contributed by Mr Forsyth. The committee have held fourteen meetings during the year, which have always been well attended by members. These meetings are held in the rooms of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral A asociatiou. and this report would be incomplete if the committee did not publicly tender to that association their grateful thanks for the consideration shown by them to the Horticultural Society in this as in every other matter where the society’s interests were concerned. The committee are pleased to state that the financial position of the society is stronger than during any former period of its existence. The expenditure has been larger, as the prizes offered have been of more value. The treasurer’s statement will show that the committee hands to its successors a considerable balance, and liabilities of a small amount.

The statement of receipts and expenditure was read by Mr G. A. Reade as under— Receipts, £7Ol Is Id ; expenditure, £614 13s 2d ; balance at Bank, £B6 7a lid. £162 18a 6d has been expended in prizes during the year. The art union proceeds were £55 12s, whilst the sum of £304 is deposited at interest.

On the motion of Mr G. A. Reade, seconded by Mr 8. Manning, the report and balance sheet as read were unanimously adopted. The next business was the election of officers. Mr B. 0. J. Stevens was unanimously re-elected president; Messrs G. Gould, W. Norman, Wynn Williams, and Professor Bickerton were re-elected vice-presidents; and Messrs H. Crooks, B. Jones, T. Turner, T. Allen, A. Duncan, M. Murphy, J. Guntrip, 8. Manning, 0. Marsh, H. R. Webb, J. Gray, and D. Nairn were elected the committee for the ensuing year. Messrs G. A. Reade and J. Greenaway were unanimously re-elected to the offices of treasurer and secretary, and Messrs T. B. Craig and H. E. Alport were chosen as auditors.

A long discussion took place on the wisdom of reverting to an old rule of the society, which only allowed an exhibitor to show for one prize in any particular class. The Chairman said that ten members of the society could by requisition to the committee call a general meeting, when the matter could be fully considered. Messrs D. Nairn and Sons exhibited two blooms of the Dahlia Imperialis, flowered in Canterbury for the first time, and also two branches in bloom of a now Ouphea. The meeting then adjourned.