GERALDINE FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 1536, 24 July 1886, Page 2

GERALDINE FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annua) general meeting of the members and well wishers of this Society was held in the library at the Mechanics’ Institute on Wednesday evening. Mr J. Cunningham, Preiident of the Society, occupied the chair, and there were present—Messrs J. W, Pye, J. Pro, R. S. Cook, Moffat, J. Ramble, W. Johns, 0. Waller, J. 8. Waite, A. Spence, W. Fly, G. 0, Patrick, —Leary, and several othen. The Chairman read the advertisement calling the meeting. MINUTES. The minotes of the last annual and last regular meeting were read and confirmed. president's ripobx. The President’s report was then read, Jl It congratulated the membera on the • success of tht show held on the 3lst of January last. The increasing popularity of the show was evinced by lha fact that in 1885 the number of exhibits was 16), while this year they bad risen to 266. The increase in the amount of funds received from members had enabled the Society to distribute a proportionately larger amount of prize money. The balance brought forward last year amounted to £7 7a } this year it had slightly increased, and amonnted to £lO 12s Id, to which must bo added the mm of £8 outstanding subscriptions. Shortly after the show this yaar the Secretary, Mr E. Hardcastle, resigned, ming tp hU removal to Cbtyitphurgb,

Bit services were of such value to tbe tbs Society that the Committee granted him* bonus of £2 2* in adiition to the salary of £4 4s. It is interesting to notice tbe increased liberality on the part of special prize givers, and a beany Yoke of thanks is due to them, as also to Ihejudges—Messrs Moffat, Harney, and . Smith—-who attended tbe show, free of cost to tbs Society ; also to Mr Dunlop for » cup rained at £2 2e. Tbe statistics of entries were also placed upon the table for inspection, BALANCE SHEET, Tbs balance-sheet as read showed the receipts for tbe year to have been £SB 5a 9d, and the expenditure £46 is Bd, letying a credit balance of £l2 4s Id. The report and balance-sheet were, Upon tbe motion of Mr Cook, seconded by Mr J, W. Pye, adopted as read. ELECTION OP OFFICERS. The election of officers was then proceeded with, snd resulted as follow* - President, ’>u J. Cunningham; VicePresident, Air J. Pye; Treasurer, Mr J, W. Pye ; Secretary, Mr A. Fisher ; Gommitte*, Messrs Chapman, Leary, Coombs, A. Spence, J. Ramble, and G. H. Patrick ; Auditor, Mr J. S. Waite. CONGRATULATORY. This was about all the busiaess of tb* meeting,.and those present were invited te make any suggestions they thought might be of benefit to the Society. Mr Moffatt, an experienced gardener, Stated that be bad bad a good deal to do- with Societies of this description, both at Home snd in tbe colony, and he . must say that tbe Geraldine show had exceeded bis expectations for a country ' place. It bad been a credit both to tbe -.people of Geraldine and to the Committee of Management. Tbe schedule bad been got up in an exemplary manner, -and reflected the greatest dfedit on tbe framer, who bad evidently taken the utmost pains with it. Tbe only fault be bad to find with tbe rules was that they were not specific enough *B to what constituted a gardener snd • what an amateur. This was a question which often cropped up, and bad done ■o in Christchurch only last week. He would only be too happy to do whatever lay in bis power towards farthering the interests of the society. He liked to see such societies encouraged, both among amateurs and professional ftrdaien. DONATION. Mr Moffatt gave a very practical . proof of bia interest, by promising a special prize of 10s 6d for the best twelve distinct varieties of rose*. The offer was accepted with thanks. Tbe Chairman then declared tbe general meeting closed. COMMITTEE MEETING. A meeting of tha newly-ehcted officers and committee was held immediately afterwards. It was decided to instruct the Secretary to get 100 circulars printed for distribution. Ihe Secretary’s salary was fixed at £5 6s, without a bonus. It was also decided that the Committee meet again on the first Wednesday in September at the Secretary’s office. The meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair.