The Masterton Horticultural Society.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume IX, Issue 2852, 20 March 1888, Page 2

The Masterton Horticultural Society.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir,—Your reporter at the late general meeting of tho Masterton Horticultural and Industrial Society was slightly iu error as to my remarks, I said that "at the same time that we had our actions criticised we required more outside support." I fully recognise the value of criticism and its absolute necessity for the purpose of controlling and regulating the actions of all who undertake any public duties, but criticism without support is like theory without practice, and we all know how easy it is to lay down a principle, but how very difficult it is to give effect to that principle. I agree with your remark in your issue of the 20th. insfc. that the Society has not progressed as it should, considering the period that has lapsed since its establishment, but think that you are in error in leading your readers to infer that the shows of the " good old days" were better maintained. It may be quite true that in some instances the exhibits were finer, but this is not what is required. The general excellence of the exhibits is what should be aimed at, and I think that it will be acknowledged by all, that our late show considering the weather and other circumstances was very creditable to our district, and surpassed any autumn show of the good old times. We shall never, I fear, arrive at the position which you, point out, viz: a common centre at which gardeners from Woodville &c, to Wellington may compete. The difficulty of travelling alone will prevent this,to say nothing of the expense. What we may, however, very reasonably aspire to, is to hold the premier position in the Wellington provincial district, but this we shall never do unless we are united in our action and use our best endeavors to achieve success. We have ever been noted for our energetic and pushing men, and visitoi'3 here invariably notice with pleasure the number of gardens belonging to all classes which abound in flowers and vegetables. It does, therefore,seem extraordinary that under such a state of things the number of exhibitors at our shows is so limited, If success is to be attained, our list of subscribers anil exhibitors must be largely increased, and there mustb9 more support given to the society, Several people I know say "your programme is not sufficiently attractive," Well, let them help us to make it so, and do not let them, as they have up to the present time done.viz. growl atour actions, and then abstain from attending our general meeting and making suggestions for the improvement of the programme. It is simply absurd that at the last general meeting there should have been only about fourteen persons present, including committeemen, but such is the case. While persons who So in for horticulture permit this, they have themselves and notthe Committee of the Society to blame. I can only Urge these persons to mend, their Ways and give the Society their support, When they so <Jo-rbut not until then —I shall look upon their oriticism as being genuine, and made in the interests of the Society. Before closing, I would refer to the letter of" Exhibitor," in your issue of the 17th inst. If "Exhibitor" had followed the proceedings of the old Committee, he would have seen that the letter, dealing with a complaint relative to the awarding of a prize to an exhibit after it had been disqualified, had been referred to the present Committee to dea) with. TJiis being the case,' jfc is surely improper to refer to the matter,as if it had been dealt with, and to a Committee man, as if he bad been adjudged guilty of an offence. Up to the present, no one has been proved to have done wrong, but a complain has been lodged, which shall be fully dealt with by the Committee, If the result of the investigation proves any Committee man to have acted improperly, I shall not fail to express my opinion upon his action. Until then, however, I hold ray peace. I am, etc., Wm. G. Beabd, President, M.'H. & I. Society.