HORTICULTURE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 54, Issue 91, 27 January 1934, Page 3

HORTICULTURE

INSTITUTE MEETS. MANY SUBJECTS DISCUSSED. (Per Press Association). PALMERSTON N,, January 26. The eleventh annual conference of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture was opened to-day by Mr J. G. Mackenzie, curator at Wellington. He advocated keeping steadily in view the matter of the establishment of a. national botanic garden. It would be of immense value in training of students, lie said. After criticism had been voiced by several delegates concerning the policy of holding Women’s Institute and motor-car displays at the National Flower Show, a motion was carried that the societies holding the show should confine themselves as nearly as possible to horticultural features entirely. The following officers were elected: President, Mr E. J. Nathan (Palmerston North); vice-presidents, Messrs J. Bigg (Nelson), D. Tannock (Dunedin), P. Black (Dunedin), J. G. Mackenzie (Wellington), T. D. Lennie (Christchurch), J. E. Smith (Hawke’s Bay), 11. A. Anderson (Southland); executive, Mrs Knox Gilmer (Wellington), Professor Kirk, Messrs J. A. Campbell, F. J. Shanks, T. Waugh, H. Baillic, 11. B. 1 Hammond, W. 11. B. Oliver, J. S. Pope, W. C Hyde, W. T. Goodwin, W. ,S. Mason, E. A. Green, B. C. Aston, A. D. JMc'Garoch, T. C. Brash, H. Bennett, A. Leigh Hunt, E. ( S. Nicoll, Dr. C. J. Reakes and representatives of kindred societies. Mr A. H. Shrubsliall (Christchurch) was elected an honorary Fellow of the Institute in recognition of his horticultural attainments and services to the Institute. Sir William Lawrence (president of the Royal Alpine Society, England), and Mr J. Courts (curator of the Royal Botanic Gardens,- Kew) were elected honorary overseas members. Motions Carried. It was decided to ask the Govcrnjnent to gazette tne first Wednesday m August as lNationaL Arbor Day. a motion was minuted expressing appreciation of tne Horticultural activities or Horu Biedisloe. it was decided to ask the department to set aside more money lor plant researcti, m view oil .tire fine results achieved by the Palmersto-n -North ltesearch fetation. " there anneare no control of noxious weeds in our national parks," stated Mr jjavis (New •ldymoutnj, who instanced the Waimarino Plains, where tnere were two years ago four wild yellow broom plants. This year tliese nad spread over a whole acre, and if allowed to go soon would cover the plains and menace the Native alpine plants. it was decided to support the Canterbury Roadside Beautifying Committee and the formation of similar committees. The attention of alt local bodies will be drawn to the possibilities that may be achieved in .tne direction ot' rdau beautification and planting, as was being done along the Great South Road at the entrance to Auckland.

Tne conference approved/ of the Waipoua kauri forest Doing set aside as a sanctuary for all time. The attention of tlio is to be drawn to-the urgent necessity Tor preservation of all native forests on steep, liigli country with a- view to scenery preservation, prevention of floods and sou erosion, conservation of hydro-electricity supplies and lend for birds. Another remit approved urges .the Government to provide for local bodies granting exemption of rates on hush of scenic value facing a main highway, railway, river, lake or sea shore, by deduction of the value of such bush from the value of the whole property.