HORTICULTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 June 1921, Page 5

HORTICULTURE.

NEW PLYMOUTH SOCIETY. THE ANNUAL MEETING. . The annual meeting of the New Plymouth Horticultural Society was held last night, the president (Mr. N. K. Mac Diarmid) presiding over an attendance of about 20 members, including a number of ladies. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated: “The committee have pleasure in reporting a satisfactory year, in spite of initial difficulties. From the statement of Aicoine and expenditure, it may be seen that prizes to the amount of £63. besides numerous prizes in kind, worth at least £B, have been disbursed. Subscriptions amount to £47 10s, being 190 at 5s each. While it is gratifying to find that I the! membership has not fallen away, yet wo feel that the society should make its objective 500 members* at least. The commiitee have to acknowledge donations amounting to £35 2s Gd, as well as several articles in kind. The society is indebted to: Mrs. H. Greig for £5 5s cash trophy, which has been allotted as points prize for vegetable class in the spring show, to b.- won throe times; Mr. G. It. Weir, for silver plated rose bowl, allotted as the sweet peas points prize in spring show, to be won three times in succession or four times at intervals, and will, by the way, make this contest quite interesting; Air. and Mrs. J. G. Barihorp. fpr solid silver rose bowl. This handsome article was specially donated to stimulate interest among chrysanthemum growers, and, wo think you will ogee, was ,*ui*cessftil in its object. The chrysanthemum show waa a marked success, the quality of the blooms surpasing anything that has yet been staged in New Plymouth. The committee suggest to the incoming committee that part of this year’s surplus should be used to purchase another trophy for competitors at i)u> autumn show. As trophy competition is certainly a real means of stimulating interest in horticulture, it js suggestp.l that supporters of the soci.‘iy might be willing, to donate ’Several others, it was decided to apply for affiliation with the Royal Ilorticujturaf Society, and t’iCs has been granted, so that the privileges of this society are now open to our members.

The report was adopted. The balance-sheet, showing a credit balance of £4l 17s lid was adopted. The chairman said the society had commenced the financial year with a balance of £3Q iod, and in spite of many difficulties, had conic oui. with an increase in funds of ove. £ll. The year, on the whole, had been a most successful one. The chairman also referred to the splendid work done by mahy of the members of the committee durmg the year. He had before him a schedule of a show held in 1898, and in the list of officers he noticed a number of those who were still on the society and working assiduously on its behalf. Amongst those referred* to were Messrs. G. W. Browne, MeGahey, C. E. Bellringer, and Alias Hempton. He himself was also a member of the committee in that year. E J /ECTION OF OFFICERS. The following officers were elected.— President, Mr. Geo. Howden; vice-pre-sidents, Mrs. Dockrill, Messrs. G. W. Browne and N. K. Mac Diarmid; committee, Mesdames A. Alexander, G. H. MeUahey, R. H. Rockel, E. Ellerm, Alleman, Dr. Brewster, Misses Devenish. Stephenson-,Smith, Hempton, Messrs. Fairhall, I. Gibson, T. Dickson, J. Barthorp,,— Burgess, E. B. Kyngdon, W. Besley, F. Davis, L. B. Webster, Loftus Rea, D. D. Hutton, and Hadler; hon. auditor, Mr. H. R. Cattley. An honorarium of £lO was granted the secretary (Mr. J. W. Taunt).