FOXTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 450, 18 February 1909, Page 3

FOXTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the above, was held in the Secretary’s office, on Tuesday night, and was well attended. Mr Bullard was voted to the chair. The annual report and balancesheet was read. The former stated that the Association came into being on September nth, 1907. The inaugural show was to have been held on the :Bth and 19th March, but, owing to the dry season, it was postponed till December 2nd and 3rd, and proved a great success from every point of view. The Association commenced with a membership of 31, and closed with a total of 68. Subcriptious totalled ,£l7 ; donations and special prizes, 9s 6d ; entrance fees, £6 8s 6d ; door takings 8s ; tea £4 7s. The entries were as follows : Pot plants, 27 ; cut blooms, 53 ; fruit, 14 ; vegetables, 40 ; dairy produce, 10 ; cookery, 46 ; decorative, 46 ; miscellaneous, 56 ; amateur photography, 16; needle and fancy work, 49; children’s pets, ix ; poultry, 30 ; eggs, 10; dogs, 20 ; collection of birds’ eggs, 11 (aggregating 7,500 eggs) ; total entries, 409. ,£lO 14s was paid away in prize money, and £"j 15s 6d (prize money) was forfeited to the Association. The report recommended that the dog and poultry sections be eliminated. Special mention was made of the excellent work accomplished by the committee, and particularly to the ladies —all worked with the utmost good feeling. The future prospects of the Association were very bright. The balance-sheet showed that the receipts from all sources totalled £62 18s and expenditure £59 12s 3d, leaving a credit to be carried forward of £$ 5 s The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The following officers were elected : Patron E. Newman, Esq., M.P.; President, Mr Alex. Speirs ; Vice-Presidents: Messrs Drs. Adams and Mandl, W. Ross, A. S. Easton, F. W. Frankland, C. E-, Jas. and John Robinson, W. E. Barber, G. H. Stiles, B. G. Gower, Cresswell, P. J. Hennessy, W. Adams, R. B, McKenzie, J. Symons, F. S. Easton, G. Coley, H. Coley,—-Lazerette, J. A. Smith, Alex. Saunders, T. Bowe, W. Carter, J. Tennant, T. Coker, G. Farmer, H. Hammond and P. Neylon ; Committee, Messrs R. Kempster, F. Woods, A. S. Walsh, H. Hussey, J. Newth, W. Bullard ; Ladies Committee, Mesdames Stewart, C. Robinson, Collins senr., O. Austin, C. Symons, T. Nye, Healey, Frankland, Jenks, Misses Neylon (2), Symons, J, Ross, M. A. Speirs, Carter and Signall, secretary and treasurer, Mr P. H. Rae-Howard (re-elected). Mr John Stevens was elected a life member.

On the motion of Messrs Speirs and Hornblow, it was decided to open an account at the bank of New Zealand, and that cheques be signed by the President and Secretary.

The outgoing officers, stewards and judges were accorded a hearty vote of thanks.

On the motion of Messrs Newth and Hussey, it was proposed that it be a recommendation to the committee to ask farmers and orchardisls to donate special prizes for collections of birds’ eggs. A discussion took place in reference to allowing exhibitors to be present in the hall while the judging was in progress, and it was decided to prohibit this in future, and also not to admit late exhibits except for exhibition purposes. Mr Alex Speirs suggested that the balance carried forward should be deposited in the Post Office as a neuclus for a building fund. The appointing of stewards was held over for the committee to deal with.

Mr F, Woods gave notice of motion to amend Rule 11 as follows: —Members be allowed two entries, free 1 non - members one shilling; for exhibition only, free. This was seconded by Mr J. Newth.

Mr Alex Speirs gave notice of motion that Rule 18 be altered to read as follows: —For adoption of any rule, alteration or rescinding of any existing rule notice must be given In writing to the secretary fourteen days prior to the calling of special meeting. Seconded by Mr Hornblow.

A vote of thanks to the chair terminated the meeting.