HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Taranaki Daily News, 26 June 1922, Page 5

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

THE ANNUAL REPORT. The - annual report of the New Plymouth Horticultural Society to be submitted to the annual meeting, to be held in the Soldiers’ Club to-morrow night, states:— Three shows were held during the season, on December 9, February 25, and April 27 and 28. The two earlier shows both resulted in a large debit balance; the third, the chrysanthemum show, left a small surplus and was in many ways the most successful one. The society opened the year with a balance in credit of £4l 17s lid ana closes with a credit of £23 2s lid, which is due in no small measure to the generosity of certain prize-winners who did not take up their prize money. The total value of prizes distributed per medium of the society in cash and kind is £lO2 Ils. In cash and value the donations amounted to £45 6s. against £43 9s last year. The number of members’ subscriptions received was 170, as against 190 last year. The society’s trophies (which are in addition to the above-mentioned prizes) have been added to by the gift by Messrs. White’s, Ltd. of a pair of silverplated vases, suitably engraved for competition as the points prize in the decorative classes. The position of the trophies is as follows: —Mr. Weirs sweet pea trophy, held by Mr. T. H. Western, second year in succession. Mrs. Greig’s vegetable section trophy, held by Mr. Longstaff, second year in succession. jMr. and Mrs. Barthorpe s chrysanthemum bowl, held by Mr. L. J. Rea, second year in succession. White’s, Ltd. decorative section cases, held by Mrs. Wallach, first year. The committee feels that three shows fulling as they do when life is busiest, are too many, particularly in view of the rather thin support of the public in general, as seen in the entries and attendance. It is therefore recommended as a matter for consideration by the incoming committee that the schedule be revised in the direction of reducing the number of shows held and specialising on, say, roses, sweet peas and a few other items for one show and enlarging in smaller detail the present chrysanthemum show’. The children» and school classes were also woefully wanting in support. These and the home industry section it is suggested to abandon.

The society has lost by death during the year Mr. S. Percy Smith and Colonel Messenger, both lovers of horticulture and former presidents of the society; also Mr. James Burgess, an active member and indefatigable committeeman up to the time of his death.