HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1833, 30 May 1918, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the above society was held last night. The Mayor (Mr J. Chrystall) presided, and there was a fair attendance of members present. The annual report was read as follows: — “Your Committee have pleasure in submitting the annual report and balance-sheet for the year ending April 30th, 1918, We are pleased to state that the financial position of the Society continues healthy. The balance-sheet discloses a credit of £22 16s 4d. This may be considered extremely satisfactory in view of the general unrest and many calls, both financial and personal, which have been made upon members and exhibitors. It also goes to prove that the Society was justified in continuing its operations during the present trying times through which we are passing. Our exhibitions stimulate and encourage the growth and cultivation of farm and garden produce, home industries and art, and create a love for the beautiful in our home environment. They stand for efficiency and economy, and are of educational value by the interchange of ideas. As a public asset the Society’s operations are decidedly essential. The membership of the Society now stands at 83. The Committee’s objective is one hundred, and the Committee urges the members to assist in reaching and maintaining this level. The entries for the Bulb Show were 340, as against 390 for 1916; Spring Show 971, as against 813 for 1915; Autumn Show 195, as against 311 for 1917. The Billing off in the Autumn Show was due in part to the unsatisfactory weather conditions. Your Committee recommends the serious consideration of the advisability or otherwise of its abandonment. Thanks are due to donors of trophies and prizes, and to the judges and stewards for the faithful discharge of their duties. Special thanks arc due to the indefatigable secretary for the interest and enthusiasm he displays in the Society’s welfare. Owing to the removal from the district of our late president, Mr P. G. Jackson, the Society has lost one of its keenest members, whose place will be hard to fill. His enthusiasm was an inspiration to all, and we suggest that a minute appreciative of his services be engrossed on the records.” The following is an abstract of the balance-sheet: —

The receipts for the year, including the amount brought forward, £23 8s Bd, totalled £137 10s sd, and were made up as follows; Subscriptions £l(i 17s (id, donations and prizes refunded £lO, special prizes £l4 10s (id, entry fees £29 Is Od, door takings £l7 Os (id, tea rooms £8 Os sd, sweets stall £lO 18s lOd, and guessing competitions £1 Os Od. The expenditure amounted to £ll4 14 Id, as follows: Prize mono}' £4B 7s 7d, printing and stationery £24 7s Od, secretary £ls, hall hire £lO 5s Od, petty cash £4 10s 2d, sundries £3 13s 7d, judges’ expenses £3 12s Od, labour £3 10s 9d, and insurance ISs, leaving a credit balance of £22 10s 4d. The statement of assets and liabilities shows a balance of assets over liabilities of £SO 17. s Id. In moving the adoption of the report and balance-sheet, the Mayor congratulated the Society upon its present financial position. In common with other institutions, the Society had suffered during the present trying times through which we were passing. The Society was a valuable asset to Foxton, and its operations were entitled to the generous support of the public. The report and balance-sheet were adopted.

The election of officers was then proceeded with. Mr A. S. Easton was unanimously re-elected Patron. Mr Hornblow proposed Mr W. E. Barber as president. In doing so he said the position was the highest the Society could confer on any of its members. They had been fortunate in the past in possessing enthusiastic men for the position. He referred onlogisticaliy to Messrs A. Speirs, IL Witch'oll, G. 11, Styles, and the late president, Mr P. G. Jackson, in this connection. He said Mr Barber had been a valued member of the Society since its inception, and he felt sure he would do honour to the position. The Mayor, in seconding the proposal, referred to Mr Barber’s connection with public bodies. He was a very busy man, but that was the class of man the Society required at its head. Mr Fume also endorsed these remarks. The proposal was carried unanimously and with applause. Mr Barber, in acknowledging the honour conferred upon him by the Society, said he would rather some one else had been elected. He would, however, do his best in the interests of the Society during his terra of office. Other officers were elected as follows; —Vice-presidents, the Mayor and Messrs Dr. Mandl, B. G. Gower, P. Neylon, W. Ross, Geo. Rough, A. Speirs, F., Chas., James and John Robinson, F. Symes, W. Bock, W. Signal, C. H. Symons, G. H. Styles, D. W. Matheson, M. H. Walker, H. Berry, A. Hawke, and L. H. Furrie; Committee, Messrs Rev. A. Harding, Hornblow, Galland, Bullard, Renton, John Ross, R. Ashmore, W. Nye, K. Kennedy,' A. S. Walsh, Mesdames Renton, Galland, Symons, Me Murray, Patterson, Newth, Misses Speirs, Signal, Woodroofe, M. Pearson. Secretary, Mr Patterson (re-elected); treasurer, Mr T. Henderson (reelected) ; auditor, Mr A. J. Kellow (re-elected). Messrs H. Witchell and P. G. Jackson (past presidents)' were elected life members of the Society. It was decided to recommend to

the Committee that the number of exhibits in several of the classes bo reduced.

It was unanimously rsoived to strike out the Autumn Show, and that in future,' only two shows be held, viz., Spring and Summer.

A donation of two guineas was voted to the Borough Band in recognition of their services. The usual votes of thanks terminated the meeting.