FOXTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLV, Issue 2595, 19 June 1923, Page 3

FOXTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of members of the above was held in the Plunket room last night. The Rev. W. Walton (president) occupied the chair and there were present: Mesdames McMurray, Pearson, Procter, Misses J. Ross, Speirs, Messrs Rev. F. McDonald, Christie, Chrystall, Hornblow, Scollay, and Nye. A number of apologies for absence were received.

The annual report was read and adopted as follows.— “Your executive has pleasure in presenting the eighteenth annual report and balance-sheet, for the period ending May 31st, 1923. The year just ended may be described as a quite satisfactory one for the Soliety. Both the Spring and Summer Shows were bright and attractive and fairly well attended by the public but it is to be regretted that, owing to the absence of a few who were formerly large exhibitors —notably Mrs A. S. Easton and Mrs Galland —the number of entries was not as great as in former years. In spite of this, however, and certain extraordinary expenses in regard to trophies and timber, the shows just paid their way financially. Your committee would draw attention to the necessity of making full provision (a) for the increasing of entries in various classes, such as SAveet pea section, which should be a very large class, (b) for keeping the cottage garden section as a special feature of the Summer Show, (e) for a developing and rearranging of all the children’s sections. We wish to point out, in connection Avith the Summer Show especially, the absence of competitions and side-attractions for the public. With respect to this feature, the incoming committee will deal with certain recommendations of the o'd committee. The balancesheet shows that the year started with a credit of £2l and ended Avith a credit of £4 2/3. Disregarding the payments to Messrs Halliday and Frankland, which amounted to .Cl 7 15/-. the present, low credit is explained chiefly by the following items which did not occur the previous year: Citizens’ trophy £3; in connection Avith Sweet Pea trophy £1 4/-, fresli supply of timber £2 8/-, and a drop in competition receipts from .£6 20 0 in 1921, to £2 (i/fi in 1922, total £lO 8/4. Fiftyfour subscriptions were received, and eight donations, Avhieh compares favourably with the previous year, but avo avouH stress the importance of endeavouring to increase these receipts, as it is. of course, on public subscriptions that the Society mainly depends for its welfare. In conclusion, Ave hope that the coming year will see added interest taken in local horticultural and society’s aims, and that the entries will increase and a successful financial year ensue.”

The state of the finances disclosed a credit of £4 0/4.

A letter Avas received from Mr Patterson resigning his position as treasurer, owing to his early departure from-' Foxton. —The resignation was received with regret and appreciative reference was made to Mr Patterson’s past, services to the Society and it was decided to extend the Society’s best wishes to Mr Patterson for his future.

The following officers were elected:—Parton: A. S. Easton Esq., President: ReA'. W. H. Walton (reelected); Vice-presidents: Mr J. Linklater, M.P., Hon. Ed. NeAvman, Messrs the Mayor (Mr John Chrystall), B. G. Gower,'W. Ross, A. Speirs, (A, Ohas. and John Robinson J. K. Hornblow, W. Signal, C. H. Symons, M. H. Walker, and V. J. Delany; secretary (appointment left in the hands of the President and Miss J. Ross); treasurer: Mr D. Christie; committee: Messrs W. Nye, Scollay, D. Christie, S. H. Poole, C. H. Symons, Rev. F. McDonald, Jno. Ross, W. T. Jewell, Dr Rowley, A. N. Smith, Mesdames: McMurray, Pearson, Procter, Banks, A. N. Smith, Heaseman, Wyliie, Moore, Misses Speirs and J. Ross; auditor: Mr Ogilvie. It Avas decided to limit the spring and summer shoAVs to one day each. The date of the spring show Avas fixed for Friday, September 7tb, and the summer show, Friday, November 23rd.

The following recommendations were submitted by thes üb-eommit-tee and passed on to the committee for adoption. — “That a sub-committee for entertainment be appointed. That the Stewards be requested to be present at their rspecive sections at the dose of each show. That a third cottage garden, open class, with trophy, be instituted. That an aggregate entry prize be offered, also an aggregate points prize. Tlhat a new section “Decorative, Children's Class, 15 to 18 years” be instituted. Amendments to schedule (summer show) : Cut Blooms: “Poppies, three varieties”; Campanula, three spikes”; “Calceolaria, three spikes”; Roses: class for three full-blown roses; dairy produce‘.'butter (home) fancy.” In connection with an open class for cottage gardens, Mr Clirystall promised a donation of one guinea. It was pointed out that the open class would enable those who had previously, won prizes to enter and thus stimulate continued interest in this section. A supply of coleus plants are to be supplied to children at fid each and these are to be cared for and exhibited in competition for which Society prizes will be awarded. The sale and distribution of plants were left in the hands of Mrs McMurray and the president. It was decided to send a letter of

thanks and appreciation to the late secretary, Mr H. Fraukland, Avhose Avork and enthusiasm on behalf of the Society was referred to by the president. It was decided that the committee meet on July 12th to arrange schedule, etc. The usual \-otes of thanks concluded the meeting.