N.Z. ALPINE AND ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY.

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 3, 12 June 1930, Page 9

N.Z. ALPINE AND ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY.

FIRST ANNUAL MEETING

The -following report was presented at. the annual general meeting of "the.-N.Z. Alpiiie-and Rock Garden Society held last evening:

Towards the end of 1928 the Nelson N.Z- Society, owing to the indisposition of the promoter, Mr! A. Wilkinson, ceased to exist as an active body, and rather than allow interest in'that Branch of Horticulture to wane, the people of the Hiitt Valley and "Wellington got together and decided to form a New Zealand Society with headquarters at Lower Hutt.

Tho Society was fortunate in securing the'services of Mr. T. W. Attwoocl, F.R.H.S., N.D.H., as Director, and set out with high hopes. As might be expected the young Society has had its ''teething troubles 7' and some disappointments, but we feel that the foundation of a successful Society has been laid.

I .Membership. -^-lt may be taken for granted that the strength and influence of the Society will be proportional to the membership. Up to now we have fallen behind anticipations ill regard to this, and .although, there has been a steady growth, at the end of the year (31st March) we had but 102 financial members. The small response is hard to account for, but there is no doubt much could be done by inaugurating a more intensive publicity eamDaipn. It should be remembered that it is a New Zealand Society and members would greatly assist if they would bring the aims of. rthe Society before friends in all parts of the country.

Finance. —The financial resources of your Council are practically limited to members' subscriptions received during the year, so that you will readily understand that we have had to move with great caution.

Hutt Borough Council. —The Lower Hutt Borough Council has handed over to the Society a portion of Riddiford Park comprising about two acres for the developmcent of Rock Gardening; the Council has also given us substantial assistance in providing rock, soil, and labour, without which assistance the greater part of the work done would have been quite impossible. We have also to thank the Council for use of the Council Chamber for meetings.

The Bock Garden. —lt is intended eventually to use the whole of the area allotted for the development of a Rock, Alpine and Bog r Garden, to be known as the National Rock Garden of New Zealand. Already by careful planning, a considerable portion of what was waste and very unsightly land has been transformed into the makings of a beautiful Rock Garden. Further extensions will be made as opportunity and finance permit. A pond for the cultivation of water plants has been formed, and we propose to complete this work in the near future.

Groups.— To subdivide work among members and to give them. definite interests in the Society, five groups have been formed and leaders appointed to • organise efforts among thoie members who live in the Hutt-Wellington district. It is hoped that memrbers in otljer districts will gather together for mutual benefit and for the benefit of the Society. Our Group System of Working Operations. (1) Layout and maintenance of . Society's Rockeries. .(2) Plant Collection Group. Our collectors are among the .best Botanists in the. Dominion led by Mr. Lawton, Mr. Hui'sthouse. and Mi*. W. H. Wilson. Suitable natives are secured correctly named, and . properly cared for, advice - given as to the native require- j ments of each variety. Without this useful information many of our more rare specii riiens would probably be lost. (3)* Distribution,, r Convenor Mr. I „ Wm. Smith. .. Although we were only in our first year we were able tp make a distribution of seeds and plants among members. That this was possible is mainly due to the generosity of members and friends who supplied both , seeds and plants; When the model Gaisden in- Riddif or d Park gets thoroughly established, we hope to be able to supply both natives and exotics from there. We trust that the assistance of members and friends in this connection will remain a feature of the Society. (4) Nomenclature. _ ' | The correct naming of plants

is an essential feature of our work and many erstwhile unknown varieties have been identified by Mr- 8.. N. Wall or some other member of the Group. (5) Propaganda. Messrs Seddon and Helyar, by j Press notices and other means are keeping the activities of the Society before the public, while furthering local interest by meetings and outings. International. —The Society has | been registered as an incorporated Society and has affiliated with the Royal Horticultural Society. Negotiations have been entered into with other countries with a view to the exchange of plants and seeds, and exchanges have been made with British Coluinba, Portland Oregon U.S.A., South Africa, Australia and Tasmania.

Social. —Whilst the Society's main object may be said to be the fostering of the cultivation and the study of Alpine plaiits, the social side has not been neglected. In the Spring of last year,, you were invited to take part in what was »termed an "Arbor Day" in Riddif ord Park. At this function all interested persons were invited to bring specimens and to plant them in the Rockeries. In this way many new specimens were added to the collection and members came into contact with one another and wer,e able to discuss the many phases of plant life. Afternoon Tea was served in a marquee in the garden and a very pleasant afternoon was spent. It is hoped to make Arbor Day an annual fixture.

On iEaster Saturday a party of about 60 members and friends were the guests of Mr. Erie Riddiford at Orongorongo. This excursion proved to be an'unbounded success and it is hoped that many more similar outings will be arranged to various places of interest to. collectors of native flora. The best thanks of +he Society are extended to Mr. Riddiford for his hospitality.

We regard these expeditions among the happiest and most, useful functions of the Society, enabling members' to study tne natural habitat of plants and the conditions under which they will thrive. The social aspect is also important as it brings members together with common interests. It is hoped that this activity will develop, not only in the Wellington district, but wherever a handful of members can assemble for similar purposes.

Assistance.—lt has been the policy of your Council to welcome enquiries from. members and others regarding matters pertaining to rock gardens. Advice and assistance has been given from time to time to those about to plan and construct rock gardens. Your Director, Mr. Attwood, has on numerous occasions visited members for the purpose of giving instruction in the formation of rockeries. This is only one of the many services the Society is able and anxious to render to its members, and all that is asked in return is a small annual subscription and an effort on the part of each, to assist the Society in its great work, by encouraging others to become members. •

Conclusion.— We have made a start, small though it may be. From communications of appreciation and goodwill which we have received we are encouraged to believe that there is a big field, and a great need, for a Society with aims and objects such as we have adopted as our own, and that the; Society will go forward winning new, whilst holding old members, and that the portion of Riddif ord Park entrusted to the Society will be the pride of the Hutt Valley and of the whole of New Zealand.