HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4404, 1 May 1875, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual general meeting of the Wellington Horticultural Society was held in Mr. Hunter's Koom last evening, when the following report and balance-sheet were read : "Your committee has great pleasure in reporting that the success which attended the society's transactions last season has been continued, and has increased during the season now ending. "Four shows have been held during the year. Of these, the first, or winter show, was held in the theatre, and, considering the season, proved a complete success. The remaining shows were held in the Odd Fellow's Hall, which was better adapted for the purpose. At the winter show, 117 exhibits were entered by all comers ; at the spring show, there were 122 exhibits by amateurs and 90 by gardeners ; at the summer show, 144 exhibits, by amateurs and 119 by gardeners ; and at the autumn show the amateurs made 113. entries and the gardeners 106. These figures may be taken as exhibiting the continued popularity of the society among practical horticulturists; while the amounts taken at the door at the several shows amount altogether to £94. The subscriptions of members, £122 175., and the donations for special prizes,, £49 2s. od., show the desire of the community generally to foster the operations of the society. " The total income of the society for the year is £313 125.. or nearly double what it was twoyears ago, and shows an increase of £sl 2s. Gdon that of last year. The amount received in donations for prizes nominated by the donors shows an increase of £2 18s. 6d., while the amount received in subscriptions exceeds last year's amount by £l9 25., notwithstanding last year's amount included a life membership.' "The total amount of society's awarded was £142 7s. 6d., or £34 Is. more than last year. These amounts do not include the nominated prizes. The highest aggregate made by any one exhibitor was £2O 13s. 6d., against £l4 15s. 6d. last year. In addition to the many valuable donations in money for special prizes, there were several in kind of considerable value; chief of these comes Mr. Win. Bull'b prizes of plants to the value of £2O. It must be a matter of congratulation among the members that the society should have attracted so much attention among horticulturalists at Home as to induce one of their loading men to offer such a prize as this.

" The special thanks of the society are due to Mr. Robert Burrett, -who, as last year, undertook the printing of the society's schedule free of charge, and turned it out, as all members must allow, in a most creditable manner. " During the season many new and rare plants have been exhibited for the first time in Wellington. The .competition for Mr. Bull's prize especially, attracted some very choice specimens of stove and'greenhouse plants. "Your committee cannot close this report wilhout pointing to the handsome balance the Bociety have to their credit, and offering as a suggestion that now would be the time to have a medal struck, in accordance with the recommendation of a former committee, as sufficient funds are now in hand for the purpose. "A discussion took place, at one of the society's committee'-meetings on the desirability of holding at least one al fresco show during a season, in the Botanical Gardens, but the further consideration of the matter was postponed for the new committee. " The committee having arrived at the end of their term of office, now resign. " The ' Clifton Prizes' for the highest aggregate value obtained by exhibitors of fuchsias, were awarded to Mr. H. F. Smith and Mr. Parris, but have not been paid owing to the donors having accidentally omitted to hand the amounts to the honorary treasurer." The following office-bearers were then elected for the ensuing year 1875-6:—Patrons: His Excellency the Governor and Lady Normanby,"his Honor the Superintendent. President : E. Pearce, Esq., M.H.R. Vice-Presidents : Alfred Ludlam, Esq., M.P.C., the Ven. Archdeacon Stock, M.A., A. de B. Brandon, Esq., M.H.R. Hon. Secretary and Treasurer : T. W. Kirk, Esq. Committee : Dr. Johnston, W. T. L. Travers, Rev. Mr. Paterson, Captain Johnson, Messrs. Burne, McKellar, W. Heaps, Tolhurst, Kirk, F.L.S., T. Mason, C. K. Jeffs, McCoy, McKay, "VV. Bramley, Dixon, H. H. Travers, J. Buchanan, F. Cooper, Budden, H. F. Smith, Read, and Phillips. Auditor: G. Hunter, Esq., M.H.E.