HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2250, 14 May 1881, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the Christchurch Horticultural Society was held in the rooms o£ the A. and P. Association last evening. Thera was a good attendance of members ; the president, Mr B. 0. J. Stevens occupying the chair. The annual report o£ the committee was as follows : In presenting the nineteenth annual report,the committee are pleased to be able to congratulate the members upon the satisfactory condition of the society’s affairs. It is with_ the deepest regret, however, that the committee have to record the loss by death during the past year of two of the society’s most valued mem hers, and staunchest supporters, viz., Messrs Andrew Duncan and John Greenaway, both of them members to whose efforts in the past much of the present success of the society ia attributable. In Mr Greenaway, moreover, the society had possessed an indefatigable secretary, and with a view to testifying to his personal worth and valued services, it was unanimously resolved, at a general meeting of members, to ■erect a memorial to him, and this has since bean satisfactorily accomplished. The spring show was aa usual, held in connection with the exhibition of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, and though fairly creditable was, owing to nn nnpropitioua season and other causes, scarcely equal to that of the preceding year Noro-o ahow has been held this year, aa owing to the lamented death of Mr Greenaway very shortly before the date fixed for the ahow it was decided not to hold it, aa a mark of respect for his memory. The autumn show w*a probably the boat which has been held by the society. Certainly the number of exhibits was larger than on any pro vious occasion, and the quality was in moat classes at least fully equal to that of previous shows. The only matter for regret was that owing to insufficiency of space many beautiful exhibits (notably Mr Gould’s stove plants) could not be Been to advantage. What has now become the annual “art union” was hold in connection with this show, over 500 prizes being distributed, and, aa evidenced by the number of tickets sold, its popularity is on the increase. The society is largely indebted to many members for very generous donations. At four of the committee meetings prizes have been offered for exhibits (auriculas, tulips, carnations, chrysanthemums. &c., &c ), which are not exhibited as the regular shows, a marked advance on last year being observable, and the continuance of the plan is confidently reonmmended. The committee are pleased to draw attention to the fact that during the past season several new exhibitors in tho amateur class have competed with very great Bncceaa ln or.ier more effectually to carry out Bulo 17, a committee has been appointed, whoso duty it is to critically examine any locally raised *ew varieties of plants, &o„ and. whore deserving, to award certificates of merit thereto ; and it is hoped that a careful and discriminate examination bo‘ore awarding tho Society a certificate wiU give to it a value which it has not hitherto possessed. _ Nino certificates have been awarded during tho past year. As will bo seen from tho statement of accounts made up to tho 30th April last, the financial position of tho society is encouraging, as, in spite of a considerable amount of extraordinary expenditure, what may bo termed tho “ reserve fund” ia slightly increased, tho present net value of the society’s assets being estimated lit .6214 18s Id. The committee is of opinion that by an energetic canvass tho number of members might bo largely increased, and would strongly recommend to the incoming committee tho necessity of taking steps to this end. The thanks of tho society are due to tho Agricultural and Pastoral Association for kindly allowing tho committee meetings to be held in their rooms, to tho gentlemen who kindly acted as judges and stewards at tho various shows, and to Messrs Alport and Garrick for their services in auditing tho treasurer’s accounts. Tho Chairman explained that tho hon. treasurer was absent through ill health. The balance-sheet presented tho following results :—Year’s receipts, £6ll 18s 7d ; expenses, £586 6i; total ussete, £255 10s 7d j liabilities, £4O 12s 6d.

Tho Chairman moved the adoption of the report and balance-sheet. Seconded by Mr Jones and carried. _ Tho election of officers for the ensuing year

was then proceeded with. Mr E. O. J. Stevens was re-elected president of the society ; vice-presidents. Professor Bickerton, Messrs Wynn Williams, Gould and Norman.

Mr H. B. Webb was nominated for vicepresident, but declined. The following were elected a committee : Messrs M. Murphy, 8. Manning, T. Turner, H. Crooks, Marsh, Nairn, Grey, H. R. Webb, Gantrip, Kerr, T. Allan and 11.I 1 . Jones. Mr Q. A. Baade was appointed hon. treasurer, Mr F. Jones hon. seo.; Messrs Alport and Oarriok were re-elected auditors. The Chairman at this stage intimated that a proposal had been given notice of to alter rule 10, defining the amateur class at horticultural exhibitions. The [effect of the resolution practically was to restore one of the old rules in its integrity. _ Mr Manning moved, accordingly—“ That the following words be added to rule 10— * Any person cultivating his own garden or employing only occasional assistance, will be considered an amateur, provided he does not grow for sale or sell products similar to those he exhibits in the amateur class.’ ”

Mr Crooks thought the effect of the resolution would prove prejudicial to the society, by preventing the continuance of support from certain old members who were not really professional gardeners, but nevertheless occasionally sold the products of their gardens. Ho moved an amendment—' 1 That the rule be so constructed as to provide for three classes in the same way as that adopted by the R-n----giora society and Sydenham.” A discussion of a conversational character ensued.

The Chairman decided that the amendment was not in form. Mr Crooks would have to move for a new rule to give effect to what ho proposed. Mr Webb proposed “That the word ‘ nonprofessional ’ be inserted in the original resolution after the word ‘any.’” The motion was carried.

The motion to amend Rule 10 os proposed by Mr Manning with the alteration indicated was then put to the meeting, and carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the hon. sec., Mr Jones, was cordially passed, to which Mr Jones responded. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the chair.