Horticultural Society.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume XLVII, Issue 7905, 22 August 1905, Page 2

Horticultural Society.

Q Annual Meeting. | The annual meeting oi the Now, Plymouth Horticultural Society was held at the Town Hall on Monday evening, when there was a fairly £Ood attendance. Mr J. U. George (President) occupied the chaii. .Mr A. Hooker, tlie seerotary, returned tyiaiiks for the handsome present made him' during the yefcjr by the Society. Colonel Messenger was elected a

member of the Society. The President read the annual report, which expressed regret that the secretary had decided to resign. In the circumstanqes the SoLciety had de»med it advisable to have a paid secretary, and to combine tie offices ot secretary and i.reasurer. Of the two applications :eceiv«d, Mr Bedford had been appointed by the committee, subject to Confirmation by the annual mooting, at a, salary of £lO per year. ! The year, which opened nvith a credit balance of £5 14s Bd, closed with a deficit of £7 4s sd. This was due principally to the very inclement spring and early summer, necessitating postponement 'of the spring show, and interfering very considerably with tlhc exhibits and number of entries. The show huxl, despite ,t6es|o adverse cojoslAtiocEj been distinctly batter than many persons expected, jandl the Judges spoken highly of the exhibital, Considering the season. The departure mad* duping the past year in including sono children's classes for writing, brushwork, etc., although not taken up so heartily by the children as they •desired, elicited considerable interest, and should lift come an attractive feature at future shows. The President, in conclusion, expressed thinks to the members of the committee for their enthusiastic support, and especially to the lady members, whose attendances and la-

bours had been most exemplary. Bo predicted a successful future for the Society if every effort were ma<l« to widen its sphere of influence amU extend the membership. The Chairman, supplementing tile i«i)ort, mentioned that the committee had avoided an au,tumn show on account of the weather, but if tho present weather continued he hoped the spring show would make, up for th» loss of last year. The adaption of 'the .roport and 'bal-ance-sheet was seconded by Mr Paton, and carried unanimously. Mr Paton moved the re-election of Mr George as PreSktent. Mr A. Hooker seonded, and paid a tribute to the energy and 'enthusiasm which Mr George had put into his work asi President.

Mr Goorge allowed l himself to bo nominated Conditionally on the majority of the 'committee doing likewise.

Tho re-election ot Mr George was tarried unanimously. The appointment of Mr H. D. Bedford aa secretary n»d treasurer was j Confirmed. Mr Bedford will provide n meeting ljoom for tho Committee

The election of other office-bearers resulted :—Vice-Presidents, Mrs Dockrill, the Mayor, Messrs W. AmJjury, 11. R. Catley, Percy Smith, anW K. Dockrill : auditor, Mr W. C. Weston ; '.jommittee, Mesdames W. 11. Skinner, Whittpn, H, F. Russell, J. S. Mo Kellar, Paton. Fleetwood, Woolley, Misses Hempton, Smith, and Tester, Colonel Messenger, Messrs J. Paton, A. Hooker. G. W. Jinrone, 15. N. Okey, F. R. Pepperell, H. F. Russell, Worthington, J. Gibson, F. (loodacre, T. W. McEwan, and E. Oilmour.

Referring to the Children't clhsseß mentioned in thfc report, the Chairman asked for. an 'expression of opinion from members. Although the competitions' had not attracted a great number of entries, he: the display had beetro interesting, and that it would increase in popularity. The idea was to get t;he younx people interested in the SoCiee.v and its objects.

The inclusion of these competitions was approved.

Mv Hooker brought up tho matter of local sub-qoniiuit'tces at the various district centres to work up an interest in the show 'and to obtain new members. On the motion of Ml' (lilitiour, a

•cconiniciul'.ition to this effect was referred to 't| ie committer. Tlio names of several interested in horticulture were handed in. in ordC? that they mijjit he Communicated with.

The question of holding more than one show during the year was left to the Committee, and the meeting approved of November 23 as the date of the spring show. Dealing with the schedule, It w&9 agrettd, on tteo motion of MrlVton, to stipulate in the Cut flowers section that all exhibits must be grown by the exhibitors-. Miss BevenisK thought the item "Collection of geraniums" should be included in 'the prize list —Beferrod to tho committee. Mr Hooker proposed Mr George a« a~ life member of tho Society. At Mr George's request, the motion was withdrawn.