HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1714, 19 May 1917, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the Foxton Horticultural and Industrial Society was held in the Town Hall supper-room on Thursday night. The president, Mr P. G. Jackson, presided over a fair attendance. Apologies for absence were received from Mrs C. H. Symons and Messrs Me .Murray and Preston. ANNUAL REPORT AND BAL-ANCE-SHEET. Tim annual report and balancesheet were read as follows: — “Your committee has again to report a most successful year. It must Ije exceedingly gratifying to all that this Society, unlike many similar societies which have succumbed to the stress of war conditions, remains in a sound financial position. Three shows were held during I tie past year: the Bulb Show (cr. balance £7 Os 2d), Spring Show (cr. balance £5 Os sd), and the Autumn Show, showing a small debit balance of Ids 7d. There lias been a falling off in the membership, (Ids year’s being 7S, as against !)(i la.-I year. 'Phis is to he accounted for In some ex 1 (Mil by a number of the members having left the district. It is to he hoped that the Society will not lose sight of the fact that, a sound membership roil is he safest ■guarantee of continued .prosperity, and to (his end will institute a vigorous camiiaign in secure new members. As an experiment this year, sixpence was charged for admission to the shows'in the afternoon, instead of one shilling. We feel sure that tilt* increased patronage by (he public has justified the continuance of the system. Another feature was the inclusion amongst the amusemenls of children's competitions. These (moved very interesting, and were no doubt largely responsible for the increased attendance of the public. We shall like to place on record our appreciation of the excellent support accorded by the public, and of the good work done by (he Secretary, the stewards and tlic Mall-hoiders, who worked exceedingly well. We wish specially to thank Mrs F. Procter, who successfully qmnaged the tea rooms, and Miss Woodroofe, whose excellent enthusiasm shown in the management of the sweets stall was responsible for the addition of £2(l to the funds —a result which probably constitutes a record. Thanks are also dm* to the local Press, which has always fully reported the proceedings of meetings, and (he results of the various shows. No meeting of your committee lapsed for waul of a quorum, although one. or two meetings were somewhat poorly attended. It is to he imped that interest will not (lag (luring the coming year. Well attended meetings are desirable so that matters may lie fully discussed and the Society's sphere of inllucncc widened, in conclusion, we should like to draw attention to the fact that at no time in the history of our country has lim maintenance c.nd extension of agriculture and horticulture been more desirable. The value of: (lie garden, even in our sandy soil, must appeal to all, and the Society in encouraging this good work' is surely more than justifying its existence,'’ The receipts and expenditure were as follows : —-Receipts. Bank balance May Ist, HJKi, £l2 (is lid; cash iu hand at same* date, £2 5s (id: members' subs., £ls ,10s; donations, £!) (is; refund prize money £2 8s; prize money unclaimed, (is (id; sale of exhibits. £2 7s Id; special prizes, fill 17s; entry fees, £22 15s; door receipts, £22 Is !bl; tea room, £7 17s (id; sweets stall, £2O 15s 2d; sheep guessing, £1 Bis; cake guessing, 17.-; total. Cllf (is sd. Expenditure.—Printing ami stationery, £25 is; insurance, 18s; prize money, £sl 7s (id; hall hire, £lO ss: labour, £2 !ls; judges' expenses, £5 ss; sundries, £4 18s; secretary's bonus, r 15s; petty cash account, £4 12s 2 Id; hank' balance May Ist, 1017, £lO 17s Id; cash in hand, £2 12s Bjd; total, £144 (is sd. Assets, £SO 5- 54d. liabilities nil.

lii speaking in (lie rcpurl mid bai-ancc-slieel, Hie Presidenl said -the membership >lolid ;il 7.5. Then 1 had been m slight t'nlliii” 1 off in lliis e<mu(‘dimi i>\vi ll <4' to removals from the district. He urged n strong membership, \\ i(hont which the Society was unable to launch out as they would like to. He urged members, to enlist others in this connection, '.fnch of (lie prize l money was devoted to children's classes, which was in the right direction, as if was a good Ihing to enlist the interest of the children in the Society. The hnaiieial position was salisfaetory, despite the unfavourable autumn season, and the absence of sheepguessing competitions. The operations of the Society received generous support from the public, and while this lasted, and with increased membership, the future prospects were bright. The report and bal-ance-sheet were adopted on the motion of Mr Henderson and Miss Spoil’s. A vote of thanks were accorded to the auditor, Mr A. J. Kellow. The Rev. Mr Harding was elected a member, and welcomed by the President. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. Mr P. G. Jackson was unanimously re-elected president amidst applause, and his work on the Society's behalf cordially eulogised. Other officers were elected as follows; Patron, A. S. Easton Esq., vice-presidents : His "Worship the Mayor (Mr John Chrystall), Dr. Maudi, Messrs B. G. Gower, H. Greig, W. E. Barber, P. Neylon, W. Ross, G. Rough, Alex. Speirs, F.,

Chas., John and Jas. Robinson, Alf. Fraser, F. Symes, W. Bock, W. Signal, C. A. C. Preston, C. H. Symons, G. H. Stiles, D. W. Matheson, Pearson, J. M. Barr, R. N. Speirs, F. S. Easton, H. Berry, Alex. Ross, A. Hawke and M. H. Walker; committee: Messrs Hornblow, Galland; W. Nye, Rev. Harding, Bullard, D. Whibley, Renton, J. Ross, K. Furrie, R. Ashmore, Mesdames Woods, Galland, Renton, Newth, Symons, MeMurray, Patterson, Misses Speirs, Signal and Woodroofe; auditor, Mr A. J, Kellow; secretary, Mr 11. C. Patterson: treasurer, Mr T, Henderson.