North Otago Horticultural Society.

Otago Witness, Issue 1650, 7 July 1883, Page 7

North Otago Horticultural Society.

At the annual meeting of the North Otago> Horticultural Society on Wednesday evening, 27th June, after reading the report and balancesheet, the hon secretary said that, on the whole, the society was to be congratulated on having a balance of £5 19s to their credit notwithstanding bad times. He also remarked that, oui taking office, the committee, in view of the* balance then on hand, increased the priz& money offered in the schedules from £72 odd asat last year to over £100 (including cottage garden prizes), and that they were most unfortunate as to the time of holding their autumn show in last March, there being.so many other attractions at the same time — races, bazaur, and the opening of the new public hall — which reduced the receipts at the door at that show from £25 19s received last year to a sum of under £10. Notwithstanding this they had paid a sum of £68 18s for prize-money this year. The report was read by the Hon. Secretary, Mjj Michael T. Spratt, as follows :—": — " In bringiiv£ forward the annual report the committee tis^ve, the pleasure of stating that notwithstanding th&. pressure of the times the society during the ; past year has been fairly supported!. The. tp ing show was (as last year) by ths kind per-w mission ot the committee of the North Otago> Agricultural and Pastoral Association held oa the grounds of that society at the same time as their annual cattle show, namely ' oa the 2Gth and 17th November last, and waa a decided success, financially and otherwise, having been visited by nearly mQO- personsj mostly country visitors to the cattle show, besides by membra and their families. A sum of £54 13s. wast taken at the tent for- admission mone^ Although th.c show was held rather 'easier in the season, i,t was Sully equal in point of axhibits to. former spring shows — the exhibits.of pot planta being very fine indeed. Special, mention may: ' be here made of some remarkably woll grown, calceolaries sent for exhibition by aw amateur w which were the centre of attraction at this show.. The exhibits of cut flowers were aiso very creditable. The autuijan show, which was!, held afc the Volunteer Hall on the 17th and 18th March, last, was fully egv t al to any of our previous, autiimn shows. The display of pot plants andl [ Oiifc flowers both by gardeners- and amateurs "being highly creditable- to.the growers, 'althsuehi in some instances taene were very marked ooh'ciences, which we. trust will not occur again. The exhibits of fruit and vegetables were also remarkably fine, and fully equal to -any exhibited at previous shows, and were much praised' by both judges and visitors. Unfortunately, however, there were several othe*public attractions in Oamaru on the showdays, which caused a serious deficiency in, the v receipts at the door. At the commencement, of their term of office the committeo,»vvjth a>< view of encouraging cottage gardening in the district, decided on offering three rimes of" £3 3s, £2 2s, and £1 Is, respectively", for the best kept cottage gardens, and* although this, was well advertised in both papers here, anch also in the scheduler which were distributed.

they regret to have to report that their offer was but poorly responded to, only five persons having entered as competing for the prizes. The accompanying balance-sheet shows the receipts (including balance from last year) to h ave been £136 13sf „ „ and the expenditure £130 14s Id, leaving a present balance of £5 19s 6d in hand. Ihe committee beg to tender their thanks c the committee of the North Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Association for permitting the spring show to be held on their grounds ; to those ladies and gentlemen who gave special prizes for competition ; and to the public for the support given. They have also to thank Mr Oollis for his kindness in giving the use of his office in which to hold their meetings, and trust that their labours have proved satisfactory."