HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLII, Issue 2138, 10 June 1920, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING.

The annual meeting of members of The Fbxton Horticultural Society was held last night. There was a fair attendance of members, and in the absence of the President (Mr W. E. Barber) through illness, the Mayor (Mr J. Chrystall) was voted to the chair.

The annual report, as follows, was read and adopted: ■

“In presenting the annual report and balance-sheet your committee desires to congratulate you on the sound financial position, which discloses a credit balance of £lO 6s Did, and no outstanding liabilities. When this satisfactory state of affairs is compared Avith other Soei-. eties it is cause for commendation, and reflects great credit upon the enthusiasm of members, and particularly upon our painstaking secretary, whose interest in the avclfarc of the Society has never lagged, and who has boon the “live wire” of the organisation. The Spring and Summer Slioavs compared favourably Avith slioavs of previous years. The schedules have been verv carefully scrutinised by your Committee, and those sections which have found few entries have been deleted. The schedules as a whole are very comprehensive, and should attract a greater number of exhibitors. There are a number ot growers in the borough avliu lor some reason or another do not exhibit. The Committee is of opinion (hat two or three visitors.should be appointed to call on these and induce them to assist the Society in (Ids connection. The entries of school Avork is very satisfactory, Tmd this class should‘be encouraged, as avc look to the younger genera lion lo continue the good work ot the Society, The Committee recommends that steps ho taken to increase the membership to at. least 100, and that the Borough Council be approached for an annual grant •in aid of the funds. The Committee Avish to coiiA'ey their thanks to those who donated prizes, to the judges and sleAvards, and others who have in any Avay assisted the Society during the year. The Committee desire to recommend that Mr 1. Henderson he made a life member of the Society as a small token ol his splendid services rendered since Hie Society was formed.” , The statement'of receipts and expenditure disclosed - that the vear started with a credit balance of £22 5s (id, and Ibo receipts were as follows Entry fees £2l 8s !)d, door takings £l(s i)s (id, members’ subscriptions £.15 15s Od, special prizes £l2 11s (id, tea room £9 3s (id; sweets stall £0 2s 10d, donations £4 14s (id, prizes refunded £1 18s*'0(1, and sale of exhibits £1 4s (id, making a total of £lll 13s 7d. 1 The expenditure totalled £95 (is l()d, lea'Ving a credit balance at the end of the year of £l6 Os 9d. The chief items of expenditure were, prize money £-12 14s Id, secretary’s bo--nus £ls, hall hire £ll 5s Od, printing and stationery £lO 2s Od, and judges’ expenses £4 Kis Od.

The statement of assets and liabilities showed that the Society’s assets totalled £(ls 12s Ski, and there were no liabilities.

The election of officers resulted as follows'; —Patron, Mr A. S. Easton; president, Mr W. Kenton; viee-pre-sidents, Messrs Dr. Mandl, B. G. Grower, IV. Ross, A. Speirs, 1. Robinson, C. E. Robinson, d. W. Robinson, J. H. Robinson, W. Bock, M. Signal, C. 11. Symons, M. 11. Malkin, d. Ciirystall, 11. Berry, A. Hawke, L. J.- Furrie, W. E. Barber and H. C. Patterson; commiltce, Messrs J. K. Hornblow, J. Galland, J, McCull, \V. E. Bullard, M. E. Perreau, John Ross, E. J. Murphy, \\ . Nyo, A. S. Walsh, Rev. A. Harding, Mesdames Renton-, Galland, Symons, McMurray, Patterson,' Blanchette, Procter, and Misses Speirs, Signal, and A. Neylon;. auditor, Mr P. D. Whibley; treasurer, Mr T. Henderson.

Mr IT. C. Patterson tendered his resignation as secretary. Tie said that he had occupied the position for 10. years, and he regretted very much having to relinquish the position, as lie enjoyed the work, and was keenly interested in the welfare of the Society. While, he had occupied the position he had always received the greatest courtesy and assistance from the Committee and members, which he very much appreciated. He was retiring solely because he required a rest, and he would be pleased to give his successor any assistance inTiis power. The Chairman said that the whole of the members, regretted very much that Mr Patterson was resigning. He had always carried out his duties in a’most efficient manner, and had the welfare of the Society at heart. He moved that the hearty appreciation of the Society of Mr Patterson’s services as secretary be recorded on the minutes, and that he be elected a life member of. the Societv.'

In seconding the motion, Mr Galland referred to the courtesy and attention always extended by .Mr Patterson to members and exhibitors. Mr Patterson had the welfare of the Society at heart. The speaker said he was exceedingly sorry that Mr Patterson was retiring from the position of secretary, but there was no doubt he had earned a rest.

The motion was carried by acclamation.

Mr Patterson thanked members for the. kind remarks made. He said that had it not been for the assistance with the work he had received from Mrs Patterson lie would have been compelled to resign long ago. The Chairman said the Society appreciated the services Mrs Patterson had rendered. . ' The question of tlic appointment

of a secretary was loft to the Committee. - ,

It. Avas decided to .write to Mr A. J. KelioAv, Avho had acted as the’ Society’s auditor for some years, expressing the Society’s appreciation of his services. - In accordance with the recommendation of the Committee, Mr T. Henderson was unanimously elected a life member in recognition of the valuable services he had rendered to the Societyi Mr Hornblow brought up the question .of obtaining badges for presentation to life members. He said that Jayo of the Society’s life members had been presejted' with small tokens, and he moved that it he a recommendation to the Committee to take this question into consideration. The motion Avas carried. The Chairman said that at the last two or three shows the attendance of the public had not been as large as it should be. A Society of this kind Avas a great asset to any town, and should receive the whole-hearted support of citizens. An effort should be made to get citizens generally to take a keener interest in the affairs of the Society. Mr Galland moved that the membership fee he 2s (id.annually, Avith family tickets at ss, but on this being put to the meeting it Avas lost. It was decided that all enries by members of the Society above ten be accepted at half fees.

The question of steps lo he taken to increase the membership avus discussed at some length. Several members guaranteed to enrol extra members, and no doubt others avIII take this scheme up enthusiastically, Avhich should result, in a greatly increased membership.