IN FAVOUR

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 67, Issue 236, 18 July 1947, Page 4

IN FAVOUR

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY FOR ASHBURTON INITIAL PLANS MADE LAST EVENING There was a unanimous feeling in favour of the formation of a horticultural society in Ashburton at a meeting of some 10 enthusiasts in the Borough Council Chambers last evening. The meeting, which was convened by the Advance Ashburton Association, subsequently appointed Messrs W. K. Waters and V. G. Bowman a-: chairman and secretary respectively pro tern of a small committee con sisting of all those present. Before arriving at a decision as to whether affiliation should be sought with the Christchurch Society or Ashburton should form a separate society of its own, it was decided to ascertain from Christchurch the conditions under which affiliation could be obtained. Thursday, July 31, was the date set down for an inaugural meeting to which are to be invited representatives of a host of town and countryorganisations. It was suggested that members of the Christchurch Society should be asked to address this meeting on the advantages to be obtained from such a society. The meeting was called by the Advance Ashburton Association and the president, Mr M. J. Burgess, was to have taken the chair, but was unfortunately indisposed, explained Mr Waters, a trustee of the association, who presided.

Advance Ashburton Association

The membership of the association was very small at the present time, he said, because it went into recess during the war and now only the trustees were left. “The association is still;hoping to be able to do something very tangible, as far as the town is concerned, in the near future,” he continued. Before it went into recess it had plans in sight for the benefit of the town, including the formation of a garden club or horticultural society. When the association functioned years ago it conducted a garden competition showing it was interested in something that would beautify the town. “Gardening is one of the finest hobbies an individual can avail him- or herself of,” commented Mr Waters. “The time is now considered opportune for steps to be taken to bring into being a horticultural society.” To Help, Not to Interfere There were, in Ashburton, organised bodies like St. Stephen’s Church, the Ashburton East and Borough Schools that ' ran flower shows, said Mr Waters. “We do not intend that this •society should interfere with these shows but that it should help these units.” The main objective of these shows was the amount of money that could be made, he further pointed out. “All of these bodies would be pleased if the society would relieve them of the responsibility of running the actual shows, while they could still run side issues for making money.” There were in the town, anything up to 100 persons, he expected, who were members of the Christchurch Horticultural Society and availed themselves of its benefits. “It is just a question of how you feel as to whether we branch out and form a society on our own, or become a sub-branch of Christchurch Horticultural Society,” said Mr Waters. The Christchurch subscription was 10s, for which a member had the privileges of the society plus a maga zine.

In reply to a question by Mr R. Inch as to what was the object of the society, Mr Waters said it was primarily for the advancement and education of the individual in the cultivation of fruit, flowers and vegetables. The holding of shows also came into its sphere. Many Enthusiasts in Ashburton The numbers present were not an indication of the numbers interested, pointed out Mr Waters, who explained that other engagements prevented the attendance of some interested persons. “There are any amount of enthusiasts who would be just as keen as could be if anything is done,’ lie said.

“Wouldn’t you get more interest if you formed a Compoet Club?” asked Mr E. C. Warr. Mr Waters said that he believed such a club could be contained in the framework of a horticultural society. Various sub-committees could be set up once the society was active. Lectures that he had heard at' meetings of the Christchurch Society had been well worth going to hear, was the opinion of Mr G. Scales, who considered that to hear directly from experts was much superior to reading. Though hie particular interest ivas in gladioli lie would not like to see a society formed for any particular flower, but something in a much bigger way, continued the chairman, who recalled that there had once been a horticultural society in Ashburton, long since gone out of existence. A unanimous decision was then reached in favour of a society for Ashburton. The question of affiliation with Christchurch raised some comment. “We should carry on on our own,” said Mr W. Hawthorne. . “We have good men in Ashburton.” “There ought to be enough people in Ashburton to run a society on our own,” remarked Mr Inch. “It would be a good idea to find out from Christchurch fii’st just how we stand,” thought Mr V. Bowman.

Information from Christchurch It was then decided, on ihe motion of Mr Inch, that Christchurch be asked under what conditions affiliation could be obtained. “I am in favour of Ashburton standing on its own feet, but I think there is no harm in finding out,” said Mr Inch. On the motion of Mr Warr seconded by Mr J. Hitchins, it was decided “that, we form ourselves into a email committee pro-tern,” Mr Waters being appointed chairman and Mr Bowman secretary. The inaugural meeting was fixed for Thursday, July 31, the chairman ap-

pealing to those present to each approach as many other people as possible in order to secure a good meeting. Mr Warr suggested that some Christchurch members should attend the meeting to explain the advantages to be derived from such a society. It was decided to invite representatives of organisations in town and country to attend the next meeting. Organisations mentioned' included the Borough, Ashburton East, Allenton and Tinwald Schools. St. Stephen’s Church, Women’s Institutes and Women’s Division of Federated Farmers and the A, and P. Association.