MASTERTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 5, Issue 1432, 17 July 1883, Page 2

MASTERTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

\ meeting of the committee of the above was held at the Council Chambers last evening. Present-Messrs Everett (President), Parsons, Wickenden, Eastliope, Osborne, Park, Beard, Gardner, Collotte, Hooper, and Rev W. E. Paige. , ' j The minutes of. the 'previous. meeting were read and cpnfirraed. A letter was read from Mr Stuckey to the President on'the question, of a combined horticultural show Carterton on the day of the Pastol'al show.

The President stated that he had .replied to Mr.Stuckey to the effect that in r the' negative by the Masterton Society he did not think; there] chance of tho idea being carried' out, but that he would bring the matter before tho present meeting, . Mr Beard 1 expressed the opinion that there was hope still of ihe'eting.,the wishes of;;the ; Past6ral;Sriciety if-tKey would consider the matter J in''ii|l','its bearings. A combined proposed would bo greatly to the interest of horticulture, and therefore Would be carrying out' the objects of the Society. A combined show,,-would bring competition from all parts of the district and would be of great advantage tocompetitors, enabling them to obtain- fresh ideas. One argument against the proposal' liiid been that Carterton was getting tpo rauch of the show business. If such was the lie argued; that Masterton should; get the thin end of the wedge in towards her claims being acknowledged,'and lie had no doubt if Masterton would Work with the Pastoral Society the day must como when' alternate pastoral shows would ;be held, in that: towifiMp. Anothor thing urged against the proposal was the risk of carrying tho exhibits to .Carterton and ; back. He argued that this was more imaginary than real, witb the railway at hand. He pointed out that exhibits ytm taken from tho Hutt to Wellington without' damage. It was also to bo borne in mind that o combined show would command higher prizes, which would more than make up for any risk. He moved—'! That the present meeting appoint a sub-committee to attend at the Pastoral Society's next meeting to discuss the matter, with a view of holding a combined show at Carterton' on the day of the Pastoral show." ; Mr W. it Easthope seconded, pro 'forma, but could ; not support; tho motion. It seemed to him from tho vague information they .had before them that the two Horticultural Sociev ties were to bear all the expense and the Pastoral Society reap all the profit. In his opinion if the Pastoral Society wished to have a horticultural show.in connection with the pastoral event; it should offer prizes' and do the w.oi'k itself. ■ -li' Mr 0. M. Park did not thinic it within the power of a committee meeting to go outside the decision of a general meeting. He moved, as an amendment—" That as the question had boen settled by a general meeting, this committee does not consider it in its power to re-open the question," With regard to conveying exhibits to Carterton, he was convinced it would have the effect of spoiling them for at least that season. He was 'of, Easthope's opinion that the Pastoral Society should organise (v show for itselfi Another thing against the proposal was the fact that it was much too early, and no plants would be ready for it.

The President thought if Mr Beard's proposal was carried the Masterton. Society would get no support, 1 and; would collapse. He hadsold nearly'. all the subscribers' tickets) last season,, and the feeling wad so strong, against! the combined' show that he had aotually to ondorße one ticket to , the , effect that the money would 'be returned if the Masterton Society agreed ; to take part in tho one at arCtorton, : In answer to Mr Paige, tho Pi'esi-' dent stated he believed Greytown. bad made a loss last season by holding .a > show at Carterton. i-- 1

Mr Beard did not think Greytown made a lobs, and in arrangement more' in favor of the Horticultural Societies could be made this

Mr Gardner seconded' the amendment, Mr Collotte also supporting it, Mr Parsons thought the Pastoral Society should do the work itself/but I was of opinion that the date was too early for a flower show to be a success. The President pointed out' that' 1 Groytown'; had . only been able to hold one Show the year they wont to Carterton;

Mr Park said tho delegates they had formerly appointed were treated with discourtesy by Greytown. Mr Wickenden said the reason the : Greytown Society only held'one Show was beoause their ground was parched up with the , drought, and they had < nothing to show. . . ;i, , Mr Beard said delegates had been appointed by the 1 Society, and if they had no wimdw" they were ignored in the face of ;the • resolution declining; to combine. <; He ridiculed Mr Park's view that tho matter could not 1 be brought up ,again, 1 and hoped the meeting'would see'that it was to the interest of horticulture to hold the combined show. Matters 1 of !•' detail could be easily settled, and they. could feel sure their sub-coWiriitWd 1 ' would make no reckless abangemcjnt, The Rev Mr Paige fchoqglit Mr BiiSrk should alter the wording of his amendment as there was no doubt the question could be re-ripened. He, however, did not think it would be advisable to assist at the Carterton show.)/1 n'i-'pj iv^'O

Mr Easthope: The' proof that the question could be re-opened is the fact that it has been; re-opened and i pretty,'/ well discussed. Finally Mr Park, withdrew his amendment,.and Mr Beard's,resolution was put and lost,—Ayes, 3; Noes," 9.

The .Presi;dent, said another they had to consider was the necessity ' for a gardener's and amateur's, class at theii; Bhowßi 1 "He ' did not'sea''where to raise the money for an extra class, nor where they were to draw the liuo where the division was made, and thai society had a-revenue of about £250.

:>'Mr Wi M.'llastKope moved,— I '''That two classes be formed, one for amateurs and one for professional gardeners and all who employ them."' 1 Mr Collotte; One professional gardener mightbo employbd in 40 dilferont gardens., Mr Park thought it would be best to invite professional gardnorq to show for exhibition only. ■■: Mi*. Collotte supported this view. The Bev. Mr Pais;!' suggested that Mr Easthope shoiiM u!tt>r' his motion by striking out the words lt and all who employ them," Mr Easthope declined to alter his resolution.in any way. He,luld it was a simple act of justice to amateurs. The object of the society wad to .encourage the working men to . :dfnte his attention to horticulture, and to allow professionals to compete with thom and snap up all the prizes was 1 not thoi way to do it. Tho gardeners should be glad to show for exhibition only if simply to advertise their stock. They were now being paid to compete • with the very men they sold their goods to ! It. was most unfair. No a icondei' being found for the motion. : Mr W. G. Beard moved " That for the future professionals be not allowed to compete against amateurs in pot plants and cut flowers." In vegetables or fruit amateurs stood as good a chance as professionals, but the time had arrived when the classes in the two things named should be separated, It need not cause any drain npon their funds, as they were not bound to give prizes, and special prizes might be given by the public in the gardener's class, i - Mr Paige seconded the resolution. Mr Porsons was in favor of it, but Messrs AViokenden and Osborne could not see where the money was to como from. ; Mr L. J. Hooper supported Mr Beard. Mr Park moved as an amendment "That.while professionals be cordially invited to show for exhibition oidy, they be awarded no prizes for pot plants and cut flowers," Mr Beard thought it would be best to give prizes, if only of small amounts. Mr Parsons pointed out that special prizes might be given, Mr Easthope seconded the amendment, which was put and lost, the resolution being carried by ten to two CANYASSJ.NG COMMITTEE, Messrs Wickcnden and Parsons were appointed to canvass for special prizes, J'OULTItY SHOW, .The' President said at the general meeting it had been mooted to hold a poultry exhibition in connection with the show. As the Wellington Poultry Show was to be held in August, lie thought the matter might stand over till considering the programme for tho Autumn Show. The meeting then adjourned.'