FOXTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Manawatu Herald, Volume L, Issue 3982, 10 August 1929, Page 2

FOXTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Foxton Horticultural Society was held in Ross’s Rooms last evening presided over by the President (Mr. D. Christie). Also present were Messrs W. S'. Heyes, T. Hughes, N. Cresswell, S. H. Poole, E. J. Murphy, R. Holrnblow, AY. H. Walton, Edmondson, and Jas. Ross, Mesdames Moore, F. Procter, and D. R. Ogilvy, and Misses B. Gower and Hughes. Apologies for absence were received from Mesdames S. Easton, Newton, Woods, Murphy, Misses Speirs, and ,J. Ross. MOTIONS OF SYMPATHY.

Prior to commencing the business of tli© nveetng, the /President referred to the passing of the late Mr. W!m. Ross, whom, he said, had been a keen supporter of the Society and lover of flowers. In losing him the Society lost a. great supporter. The town as a whole could ill afford to lose such a citizen. The late Mr. Ross had been one of the most humane employers of labour in the town. A motion of. sympathy with the relatives was carried in silence. ANNUAL REPORT. The secretary submitted the following report: — “In presenting the 24th annual report of the Society for the period ending April 30th, 1929, it cannot be said that the year just ending is, altogether, a satisfactory one. “Both the iSpring and Summer shows were bright and successful, well staged and the blooms arid exhibits of exceptional merit. “New features at the Spring show were the restoration of the children’s -cooking section and a new class “a children’s elecution cry competition,” which, however, proved somewhat disappointing in result, probably because the conditions were not understood.

‘/The 'Summer show also had an old section again on the schedule, “cottage gardens.” There were eleven entries, the judging being very carefully done by Mr. Evans, of Manakau. Also three new sections were introduced, “needlewoiiltf,” “amateur photography,” and “Plunket lunch.” The former attracted a considerable number of entries and proved a very successful feature, but the photographic section was disappointing. The Plunket lunch had seven entries and proved successful. The schools of the district were invited to make an exhibition of school work at this show and the District High School made a very fine display of work done by the various classes—from the infants to 'the secondary department. We most sincerely congratulate Mr. Mason, headmaster, and his staff on the exhibition, which proved of great interest, as well as being instructive to the public. The property of the 'Society was added to by the purchase of vases for the decorative section, so that each exhibitor will have the same glass vases for decorative purposes. The cost amounted to £3 IS/-.

A special general meeting of the Society was held on October 15th, 1928, when it was decided to alter vour committee’s recommendation re date of Summer show from November Bth to November 22nd. “Your committee met on five occasions when the attendance was 15, 14, 13, 16, and 11, Which shows .that a fairly Ikeen interest had been taken in their duties. “The thanks of 'the Society are due to the men’s committee in getting 'the hall ready on the evening prior to the show; to Mesdames F. Procter and N. 'Cjresswell for providing refreshments; to those who acted as stewards so efficiently as to enable each show to be run with that smoothness which is necessary' to success. To the judges for their very careful judging which gave every satisfaction to the exhibitors, especially to Mrs. Clark (Levin), and Messrs Shaffer, Evans ai d Whitehead, who cither gave their sendees entirely free or took only hare travelling expenses. “The balance-sheet is the unsatisfactory part of our report and we would call your attention to that motion unanimously passed at the last annual meeting, concerning the finance, and ask how mianv members carried out this, their unanimous resolution. “The entries for each show indicate an increase tin |most sections, while the dooir takings -were several pounds in advance. The decrease in in'eome being in membership subs, and donations, also in sub-

sidiary helps such as cake stalls, etc. The membership land donations ought to be about double what they are, and if such was the ease would mean that there was an increasing instead of a decreasing predit balance. These two sources of income could be considerably increased either by each member taking their share of interest in the welfare of the Society or that a working finance committee be appointed to make a thorough canwass of those interested in the objects of the Society. “Mg' trust that the coming year will see ani increased interest in the

wofrk of the Society, not only by the committee, but by every member and exhibitor.” THE BALANCE-SHEET. The balance-sheet showed receipts for the year as follows: — Cash in hand at the 30th April, 1928, £G 16/11; donations, £22 8/-; entry fees (both shows), £l7 6/6; door takings (both shows), £l9 7/9; sales and prizes donated, £1 17/9; subs., £8 12/6; petty cash refunded, £1 8/1; debit balance at the bank, £4 4/2, a total of £B2 1/8. Expenditure was as follows: — Judges’ expenses, £7 14/-; prize money (both shows) , £4O 9/9; rent, £4 5/6; printing and advertising, £l2. 10/10; sundries, £5 13/6; vases, £3 18/6; bank charges, 10/-; refreshments, £1 8/11; cash in hand, £5 10/8. The assets were as follows: — Tables, £4O; vases and tribes, £23 18/-; cash in hand, £5 10/8. Liabilities were as follows: Debit at bank, £4 4/2; irent, £3 10/-; excess of assets over liabilities, £Ol 14/6. The audited balance-sheet for 1928 was also submitted. The secretary referred at some length to the report and balancesheet and considered the continual altering of show dates was doing the Society no good, and was causing a good deal of dissatisfaction among the local public. If a date was fixed, he said, it should he adhered to. The change in dates also made it difficult to obtain the services of judges. Mr. Nicholas urged members to take a better and more earnest interest in the Society and to endeavour to raise it from its present position. The President also referred to the unsatisfactory position of the Society and compared the present balance-sheet with those of past years. There was a big falling off in membership disclosed while the absence of stalls and tea rooms at recent shows and deletion of advertising from schedules had had a decided effect on the finances. After discussion the report and balance-sheet were adopted. NEW MEMBERS. The following new members were elected: — Mesdannes R. 0. Horriblow, W. S. Heyes. Messrs H. E. Garbett, S. Gray and W. >S. Heyes. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers was then proceeded with: — Mr. Jas. Ross proposed Mr. W. •S. Heyes as president. Mr. D. Christie, who has held the position for the last four years, refused to accept nomination and Mr. Heyes was unanimously elected to the position. Other officelvs were elected as follows:—•

Patron: Mr. Francis Robinson; vice-presidents: Messrs J. Lin'klater, M.P., Dr. Wjyl'lie, B. G. Gower, A. , Spell's, F. C. and J. Robinson, C. 11. 'Symons, M. H. Walker, J. K. Horn'blow, J. Oirvstall, F. A. Mason, M. E. Perreau, W. E. Barber, Rev. W. H. Nicholas, iC. M. Hewett, D. Christie, D. R. Ogilvy; committee : Messrs W. Nve, John Ross, W. E. Bullalrd, I. Corn, S. H. Poole, Jas. Ross, Rev. W. H. Walton, R. Horn'blow, Edmondson, T. Hughes, N- iCresswell, Mesdames Murphy, P. Easton, F. 'Procter, Heasman, Baker, Ogilvy, 'S. Easton, R. O. Hornblow, Moore, C. Edwards, Misses Spcilrs, J. Ross, B. Gower and Hughes; secretary: Mi'. E. J. Murphy; treasurer: Mr. D. Christie; auditoir: Mr. D. R. Ogilvy. DATE OF SHOW. The date of the spring show was fixed for September 12th, a day after iSandon and a day before Wanganui. The schedule which was revised by the 'Committee after the last Spring Show, was adopted with one oil’ two alterations. On the suggestion of Miss Gower, it was decided that the committee revise the schedule at the conclusion of each show. JUDGES.

The following judges were appointed : Cut flowers: Mr. Shailer, (Palmerston North); decorative: Mrs. Shadier; cookery: Mr. A. E. Whitehead; elocutionary: Mrs. Gregory (Palmerston North); vegetable and fruit: Mr.''Shadier. The judge for the bulbs section was held over in the. meantime. SCHEDULES IN BOOK FORM. Mr. Christie brought up the question of printing schedules in book form to cover both shows. If this method was adopted, lie said, more advertising would he forthcoming and the schedule would be a paying proposition.

Mr. Mulrphy did not think there would now be su|ffi|eient time to go into the question this year. Mr. Christie: We could adopt last year’s summer schedule. The committee could take the matter up immediately.

Miss Gower said it 'would be awkward to decide on the date of the summieir show so far in advance.

Mi's. Moore said years ago the Society had printed its schedule in book! form, but She did not think it would be advisable to do so again. If the schedule was to cover both shows, double the quantity would be required gs people would be sure

to misplace them afteg the spring show and require another copy for the summer exhibition. It was decided that the committee discuss the matter further and if considered advisable the suggestion be adopted fori next year. DONATIONS. Donations were made by the following:— Mrs. Moore 7/6, C. M. Ross Co. 10/6, Mr. E. J. Murphy 5/-, Rev. W. 11. Walton ,10/6, Mr. Jas. Ross 5/-, Mr. Christie 10/6, Mrs. T. Hughes 5/-, Miss Gowotr 10/6, Mrs. F. Procter 10/-. Airs. D. R. Ogilvy donated 10/6 for a new section for pupils of the Foxton District High School for darning, patching and buttonholing, and Mrs. W. H. Walton 5/- for a similar section for the girls of standards 5 and 6 of the primary department, conditions to be drawn up by Mlrs. Ogilvy. Miss Hughes’ donation is to be lor a trophy for the champion trumpet in the show and Mrs. Procter's contribution for the best bulb other than trumpet. Airs. F. Woods has promised a donation of £1 for the summer show for the best cottage garden section. GENERAL. It was decided to amend the scale of prizes making the first prize in the ease of one enf/ry only 6d [instead of 1/-. It was decided to forward the auditor a letter of appreciation of bis services. Votes of thanks were also aecorded the past President and Secretary for their services. It was decided to hold a committee meeting in Ross’s rooms at '7.30 o’clock next Tuesday evening.