HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Opotiki News, Volume II, Issue 234, 15 September 1939, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING / ~ ,p; >y/:, j" _ •< VuCCESSFUL . YJSAII 1 ; The annual meeting of the Opotiki and District Horticultural Society was belt] in the Parish Hall cm 'l uesclay night, the president, Mr. J, J). Clark, presiding over a fair attendance. All-. Clark said that the society could look balk with satisfaction and pleasure on the year which had passed. He considered the society had done a. hit of good' work and there was an improvement in general. There had been some suggestion that the society’s shows interfered with other shows hut lie did! not think this wa« so in any way. It was the duty of the society to help other shows in every way possible. The. question of professional growers bad cropped up during the year. It would be a. very difficult' tiling to define a profosisonal grower, as this would include' those who sold sixpence-worth of produce from their gardens. The question of carrying- cm during the war had also been brought forward, but lie considered the society should carry on as long as possible. Mr. Clark concluded his remarks by stating that that the society had, a cash balance of over £». ’The secretary (Mr. 41. Disk) presented bis annual report and the balancesheet and report were' presented by the treasurer (Mr. 84. Keen). Election of Officers The following officers were elected for the ensuing year:— . * Patrons, .Messrs. N\ Potts and T. G. Johnson. President, Mr. J. I). Claik (re-elec't-ocl). Vice-presidents Messrs G. \V. Reid and F. 11. Roe. Secretary, Mr. (i. Disk (re-elected). Treasurer, Mr. S. I . Keen (re-elect-ed). • Committee. .Messrs. Woodside, I). McMillan, Mrs. Quirk. -Mrs. Stuart and officers. Auditor, Mr. J. A. T. Henry. It was decided to thank Mr. Henry for iii.s valuable service's.

The animal subscription was fixed at 2/li.

Trophies.—Mr. Inskip offered 1 to present a trophy for the next, quarterly show. Wallace Nurseries also, offered prizes for the February and next Spring shows, the prizes to be given annually. Special prizes •were also offered by the Sunny,side Bulk Farm. Prizes were also offered for members semiring most- new mom her.sr” The various offers were joceived with thanks.

Exhibit .Containers.—On the motion of ."Mrs. Beattie if was decided that all exhibits at the monthly shows be in standard vases for decorative purposes: specimens to be in clear glass containers to suit- flowers. It was decided to thank the various judges who liadl given their services during the year. Cup.—The .Do Luxe Nurseries offered a cup for the. champion spike of gladioli at the November show. Airs. Ale Gregor secured first- place for the best decorative exhibit for the night, the entry being a beautiful vase of stock. The most outstanding exhibit was a. beautiful specimen of camellia, grown by Mrs. Baird. A wonderful display id numerous varieties of daffodils grown, by Air. Dauby of Thames- was shown by Airs. \V. T. Barrett. Secretary’s Report The secretary, Air. G. Lisle, reported as follows: During the past year, a seiies of display and lecture evenings has been held monthly and proved most successful in every way. The interest ci the members has been maintained throughout the whole period ami competition among the various classes has been most keen. Points were allotted to the mem hers for tlmir exhibits at these monthly displays and there was always a wonderlul art.-iv of flowers and vegetable's -shown. 'I lie members are to he congratulated on the eui-ient manner they have gimvn the plants to attain t;he high quality of blooms produced. The winner of the highest points ter the year was Airs. .Beattie, who secured 02 points; Airs. Aloftrogohtainod 01. while Airs. Baird and Air. Air. A 1 eAti I lan each secured off points for third place. Our congratulations are extended to them on their fine cffo'its. During the course of the year it was decided! to hold a, flower shew every quarter and this venture hy the members- of the society has resulted in each show being ri“ wonderful success, both linnn'eially and by the large number of exhibits displayed. It is hoped that the year just entered

will bring the society even greater success than the previous year and that tile members will all pull together ancl so help the Horticultural Society to he an asset to the town and district, as well as giving joy and pleasure to members in growing both flowers ami vegetables for friendly competition. Treasurer’s Report In presenting Iris report, the treasurer, Mr. Keen, dealt fully with various items in the balance 'sheet. The ■ society finished the season with £•."> 12s 2yl cash in hand. Liabilities were shown as nil, assets totalling £8 7s 7d. Membership.—The niembei ship register shows 77 persons joined tin* society during the first year o,f operations. Two persons left the district during., the year, leaving a membership of 75at the close of the season. Points Prizes for the feui quarterly shows ‘ for which the treasurer took, charge resulted:—l). McMillan Ho. Mi's. . Baird 108, Mrs. Jieattie 106. Mrs. MKOregor 77, Mrs. Quirk 157. Mrs.. Parkinson 60. Most points gained in each individual show: Nov. .1).. McMillan 22. l'’eh_ Mrs. Beattie 85. May, D. McMillan do, Aug. Mrs. Baird 37. Most Ist. prize tickets won during: year: Mrs .Baird 23. !).' McMillan 22. Mrs. Beattie 21. It is interesting to note only 12 members competed in all four'” shows, while an. additional six members com- • poted in three shows. seven members, in two shows, and 16 in only one show, makjng a total of 41 out of the 77 members. This "meant' 36 members did not exhibit at all. ' Several persons' gained points at the various shows, wiles were not members, and- probably olid not realise that they had to he members before they could exhibit. On the check up, these points were struck out and were not counted. Kintries.—Following are numbers o ! entries al-tlie various shows: Feb. 247, May 215). Aug. 163 771 for the year. At the shows of which records have beenH<‘if?ft| oil it was found that the fees entries had not been paid, this rFpnp,;.' sen ting £T/0/f>. Members ise this was not, only a loss toi eicty but was most unfair trt , ?t.bn.s ! e‘% members who did pay and was ter that deserved the members. . .