HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLI, Issue 1981, 24 May 1919, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

TENTH ANNUAL MEETING. • The tenth annual meeting of the Foxton Horticultural Society «jvas held in the Town Hall supper-room last night. Mr W. E. Barber, president, occupied the chair, and there was a moderate attendance of members. Prior to the annual meeting there was a meeting of committee, when several routine matters were dealt with.

The President apologised for the non-attendance of a number of members. lf

The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. The annual report was read as follows: —

“In presenting the annual report and balance-sheet for the year just ended, your Committee desire to congratulate you upon the sound financial position of the Society disclosed. The year commenced with a. credit balance of £22 16s 4d, and closed with a credit of £22 5s bid, with no outstanding liabilities. Tour Committee regrets that owing to the prevailing epidemic, and for other reasons, it was deemed advisable to abandon the summer show. The spring show, despite an unfavourable season and the unsettled condition of things generally, was a success, and attracted many outside as well as local exhibits, thus proving that the Society is looked upon as a permanent arid popular institution. The Tuimlicr of Committee meetings held during the year were four, all of which were fairly welt attended. The membership of the Society totalled 68, representing 3!) gentlemen and 29 ladies. Your Committee would urge upbu members the necessity of keeping the membership roll as high as possible, as so much depends upon a strong membership, ’flic more members the greater the interest. Oar objective is to reach the one hundred mark. Members arc respectfully asked to assist in Ibis connect ion. Your Committee again desires to place on record the faithful service rendered by the secretary, also to the treasurer (Air T. Henderson), auditor (Mr A. J. Kellow), judges and stewards, and last, but not least, to all donors of cash prizes and trophies. Now that things arc settling down to normal, we hope d-hirf-llU;' future 'of the' HocC-fy" will rise to even greater value as an educational asset to (he town and district than it has yet reached.”

In moving the adoption of the report, the President regretted tlie circumstances which had interfered with the Society’s progress during (he past year. He hoped that now thing’s were getting back to normal that the old-time enthusiasm would be infused into the Society’s affairs. The report was adopted.

The* balance-sheet disclosed that (ho amount in hand at ttie beginning of the year was £22 IGs -Id. The receipts totalled £SO !)s (I'd, made up of: members’ subscriptions £l3 7s (id, special prizes £7 Is Cd, entrance fees £7 2s 3d, sweets stall £8 -Is 3d, door receipts £5 12s ()d, tea-room £3 7s Od, donations and prizes refunded £5 14s Gd. The expenditure .totalled £SO liJs l()d, leaving a credit balance of £22 5s Gd. The main items of expenditure were: prize money £ls 7s (id, printing and stationery £l3 l()s Od, Secretary’s bonus £7 10s Od, hall hire £4 5s Od, sundries £5 9s Sd. The statement of assets and liabilities showed assets amounting to £57 15,s Od, and no liabilities.

The President, in moving (he adoption of the balance-sheet, called attention to the falling-oil’ in membership, and hoped this would be remedied this year.

The Mayor congratulated the Society upon the excellent linancial position disclosed.

After several members had spoken in a similar strain, the balancesheet was adopted. The election of officers avus as follows; —Patron, Mr A. S. Easton (re-elected); President, Mr W. E. Barber (re-elected); Vice-presi-dents, Messrs Dr. Mamll, B, G. Gower, P. Neylon, W. Ross, G. Rough, A. Speirs, E., C., .John and Jas. Robinson, E. Symes, IV. Bock, W. Signal, C. 11. Symons. G. IT. Stiles, M. H, Walker, j. Chrystall, H. Berry, A. Hawke, L. J. Fume; Committee, Messrs HornfdoAv, •J. Galland, IV. E. Bullard, IV. Kenton, .John Ross, R. Ashmore, IV. Aye, A. S. Walsh, Rev. A. Harding, E. J. Murphy, Mesdaines Renton, GalJand, Newth, Symons, Me Murray, Patterson, Misses Speirs, Signal, Woodroofo and Neylon; auditor, Mr A. J. Kclloav (re-elected); secretary, Mr H. C. Patterson (re-el-ected) ; treasurer, Mr Thos. Henderson (re-elected): Mr D. Whihley was unanimously elected a life member.

The date of (he Spring Slioav was left to the Committee. The advisability of holding an Autumn Show was left to the discretion of the Committee. I

The Mayor .suggested that steps should he taken to increase the membership, and it was decided to bring this subject up for discussion at next committee meeting. Votes of thanks were accorded to Miss Pearson and Mr Kennedy, ex-members of (he Committee, who have left the district. Votes of thanks to the President and Secretary concluded the meeting.