HORTICULTURAL MATTERS.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 8 June 1910, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL MATTERS.

L ICY IX SGCI MTV'S ANNUAL .M JCIOTIXG. .Mr James Prouse presided Jit the animal meeting of tiie Levin Horticultural Society, there being an exceptionally good attendance of members tor so wet a night as last night, was. I'ihe secretary's report was as follows: — ".Mr J'le.siilent, Ladies and Gentlemen.— In presenting to you this, '.lie seventh animal report of the Levin Horticultural, Produce and luu'ustria-l Society, it gives mo great pleasure to In; able to state, that r, .;t with sta ndi nig the fact that in >onii; res-poets the two .shows held during the year were for various uncontrollable .reasons, hardly up, to the standard set by those held in tlui preceding year, the oomniititoe consider the condition of the Society generally is sound and healthy, and the prospects for its future o<f a most encouraging character. "Lost year, for the first time in its history, the Society was honoured with tilii' distinguished presence of vice-Royalty, Her Excellency Lady Plnnkr't graciously attending for the purpose of opening the spring show. 'Hie floral display at this .show was s>oine>whait marred, owing to the very limited entry of sweet pens, owing 'to the unfavourable season. Sweet peas usually forming a.n outstanding feature of the spring show. "The autumn show was opened bv IWr_ F. M. R. Fisher, M.P. Tho f I'll it exhibits at past autumn shows of the Societv have won renown, not, only for the Society, but for the district, lmt the entries received 1 at the 1:1 st show were, owing to the unpropitious season, numerically very weak. On the other hand the exhibition of vegetables was excellent. Oiiie of the hest on record. "Splendid displays were made at both shows by the Roys' Training Farm, that at the autumn show calling for special mention. Major nod the hnys worked hard to make this exhibit worthy of the Fi'irm, and. judging by the favournhlft comments made hy visito>'<? their efforts were . not misplaced. These remarks apply equally to the

magnificent exhibition made by the Experimental Farm authorities, under the direction of Mr Drysdalo and his assistant, Mr W. 11. Taylor. Undoubtedly these exhibitions are an .attraction of our shows, and the promoters deserve the best Hihanks' of the Society. "Tine special thank's of the Society are also due to Mr T. A. B. Hudson for the free use of his store, and the Y.M.C.A. for the free use of their rooms, in which to stage exhibits, and also to the Press f>r its very favourable anil helpful reports, ami to all donors of special prices. A. FKY. Secr.T.iry. ' The.'treasurer, Mr GohKe.ntb, sid - mit te:l a report on tho finances, which showed the society to l:o in a healthy financial posiLiic Do tails of this report were printed in The Chronicle of last Mow] iv we.k Beth reports were adopted w:vh--0111, discussion. Subsequently the presidenr e>: tended his congratulations to Messrs I'ry and Goldsmith. T!ie ,'oceiv. lis said owed a great deal to tl'.fse gentlemen,: the present position of the society was in very large .iier--up l dr.-> their f:iith InJ serve os. \ 1:'. T.i 11 moved bv ?»i; II \wl , to the effect that 110 fi.iest prize be awarded nt the societv'.s snow- i rlecs two 01' tries are rec v i *ed mi iln "lass .atK l no se-otid • 1 li.vt t'liee eitiies nro in—evoc-d ,«r , .p discussion. Some speakers reunited to the motion's pronosal to fr >ke awav from the judges the iinw"r tliev now had to award a first nrize, in cases of exceptional merit, "■hen olv one entry wis received. To this it was answered that the + rouble was lb* 1 ! some judges set ''-'i low a standard in such cases, 'lieiio-li "liters were strict. On a division being taken the motion was 'n i, t bv about two to one. THE PH ESTDEXT'S ADDRESS. Tll the course ol a brief address, the president /Mr James Prouse) recalled how he had spoken, at the last autumn, show, of the need for a new public hall in Levin. He spoke, to last night's meeting of the. desirableness of finding out what tho Government's intentions were in regard to obtaining a drill hall in Levin, so that, whenever the time was rips for action the society could put fonvard its scheme for joint contributions to the cost of erecting such -a hall. He had sugges.!ed before that penhaps the Levin" local ■lutlifw i'ties would join with the Government in meeting the cost of such a scheme. What Ivo wished to sav chiefly was that the .society 'i!'fluid go into the, subject without delay, and agree definitely 1111011 some schenne, so that it could be put forward in detail as soon, as the proper time for doing so ca.ine along. Tn concluding his remarks, Mr Prouse proposed, that Mr Heading be elected president of the Levin Horticultural Society. Mr Heading, however, declined nomination, and propnsed'that Mr Pro'iise he reelected. This was agreed to amidst applause. Mr W. H. Field, M.P., was reelected patron, there being 110 other nominnt ion. Vice-presidents were elected as follows:—Mcsdameis W. M. Clark, J. Ivibliell, H. I!. Gardener nod H. Prou.se: Messrs AY. J. Heading. Bvron Brown, Jii-o. Johnson and Major Burlinsoii. A large coniuiittee was .set U]> to undertake the various duties in "on,ne"l ion with sliow arrangements, "to. 'Ihe list is as follows:- Alesda lues H. J fines. 11. Lodge, P. \Y. Gidd.smitb. {'. C. Xation, S. P:ir-->'iis. A. Fry, Guv Marrintf. T. Brown, J. Prouse and G. P. Broun; Mi-whs S:'dcob.\ E. Prouse. AT. Pronve and 0. Johii"on : Messrs F. 0. Smith, P. L. A 1 cus, Al. FcseTla, \Y. TT. Taylor. 11. Blackburn, E. E. Smith, E. S. La waster, G. P. Brown. D. Laing. H. Prouse, TT. Lodge and E. Derrick. Tho junior members are M is.ses D. Goldsmith, F. Gardener, and Masters IT. Headin"-. A. Prouse and L. Prouse. The ontlyiit«>' district representatives are as follow Otaki. Messrs T . Pen 11. Cocki'i'll. L. Kilmiiisl er "nd S. G''lds,init li : Alanalc.au, AlesC. Xees. Moßain and H. BevMi : Oban. Mrs James McT/mivov. AU'.'-.srs L. A reus, J . Davies and Henderson • Paraparaumu. Airs C. Whiting: Shannon. Airs G. X. St»lilieuc'Dii. ATe.i-«v S "\V. V. Gnr.iiiinc. J. Yowloll end E. -T. Juddj ixcouila'oa. Afr« Jehu Davies and ~r Doughiu Gardner. The se"re<'>ry /Air A. Frv) and five + ren'iii'er /Mr P. AY. Goldsmith) n-.M'o miain'niouslv r( ,. (1 |,„.4, |J( ] Tb.. nn'Vto- s (Messrs W. S. Pa.vk ••"d T. G. A T inrerM nlso were iv'dected iiniMi.i.mnuslv.