HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Auckland Star, Volume XLIII, Issue 142, 14 June 1912, Page 6

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

THE AJOniaX HESTXNG.

WIPING OFF A DEFICIT,

The fifteenth annual meeting of the Auckland Horticultural Society wsia held last night at the office of Mr." W. W. Bruce, Swanson-street. There was an attendance of between 20 and 30. Mr. Wm. Hundley presided.

The annual report and balance-sheet stated that while enthusiasm had neveT been greater than at the present day it must be admitted that the finances cf the society had never been at a lower ebb. The explanation was twofold. In the first place, until the completion of the Town Hall there was no building in Auckland suitably situated for the holding of successful flower shows. In the second, for five consecutive shows, beginning with the Sweet Pea Show of 1911., rain fell, and destroyed all hopes of a good attendance of the public. The committee, being faced with a deficit of £150. without reserve funds on which to draw to meet such an emergency, had no immediate alternative but to give their own personal jruarantees for the amount to the National Bank, and by this means discharge all claims. The spring show, was held in the Choral HalL The weather, unfortunately, was wet and squally, and the attendance poor. An attempt to retrieve the position by continuing the exhibition for a further day did little more than pay the extra expense this incurred, and considerable loss resulted on the show. The rose show was held on the 9th and 10th November. Thei-e -were eigns of a revived interest in the flower among am'atenrs, some of the smaller classes being heavily entered for, but the chief professional growers, whose plants were necessarily more exposed than was the case in small sheltered gardens, suffered severely from the unfavourable weather, and were unable to set up exhibits. The weather during the time the show was open was bleak, with occasional showers and the attendance only fair. The Sweet Pea Show, Children's Show and Carnival, which wa-3 held in the Metropolitan Grounds and Choral Hall on December 1 and 2, eclipsed in magnitude any show previously held by the society, and, considering the nature of the weather which prevailed for six weeks before the show, the quality of exhibits was astonishingly good. The loss on this show, despite £30 prizemoney donated by the winners, amounted to £ioO, and explained the unsatisfactory nature of the balance-sheet. The revival of-interest in the chrysanthemum, which was noticeable at the show of lfili, showed a still further advance in 1912, nearly every class drawing several competitors, while the premier class of 24" was represented by four entries. The weather continued untntemrptedly fine, and the good attendance of the puh,]jc on the three days the show -tras open resulted in receipts exceeding the experditare. ■ Two other incidents of 0b.3 year which should not be allowed to pasra unrecorded were the visits paid by invitation to Mr. Henry Brett's garden at Takapuna, and to Messrs. A. Yates and Co.'s seed farm at Buekland- Both excursions were attended by fine weather, and enjoyable outings were spent by those members who availed themselves of the privilege. With regard to the shows to beheld in 1912-13, the committee had drawn up schedules and fixed dates for the whole, of the season's exhibition. They recommended this precedent to their successors in office. It is proposed, therefore, to bold three shows, the first on the sth, 6th and 7th in the Concert HaJl; the second on the 6th and 7th December, and the last on April ISfch and 19th, both iv the large hall. The schedules for these shows are now in the printer's hand;. Important alterations and additions had been made to the by-laws. The society year suffered severe loss in the death of Mr. James Kirker, whose pla-ae as an exhibitor and a member would be difficult to fill; and also in the death o£ Mr. "VV. Gulliver, who, in addition to being an enthusiastic horticulturist, was for some time a valued member of committee. The thanks of the society were due to the Ladies' Committee for their unljiring work in connection with the shows', to the judges and stewards, more especially Messrs- Anderson and W. Goldie, who judged the children's gardens, and to the donors of special prizes, ■whose names appear in the schedule.

The balance-sheet snowed a total expenditure of £089 /S. The plant was valued at £150, -vriile there wa.s an overdraft of £149 /9j leaving a balance ot 19/3.

The report ajid balance-sheet were ■adopted vrith the slight amendment that if practicable the second show of the year be held a week earlier, namely, on November 29th and 30th instead of December 6th and 7 th,

An important resolution was moved by Mr. H. T. Goldie with the object of providing for a tenure of three years instead of one year (as at present) for the cammHtee, a limited number to retire prior to each annual election. The mover said that the old committee had made itself liable for as overdraft of £150. ■The best men to nurse that liability were those who bad incurred it. He thought, therefore, that after this year the committee should be given a longer term of office. Mr. Hay seconded the whale Mr. Bennett and the chairman supported it. On being put to the meeting there was a unanimous vote in favour.

$Vays and means for improving the financial position of the society were discussed, and those present agreed to participate in a campaign for new members. Prospects fog: the future were spoken of as bright.

The election of officers resulted as follows: Patron, his Excellency the Governor; vice-patron, Mr. H. 'Brett; president, Mr, C. J. Parr; vice-presidents, Sir John Logan Campbell, Hon. E. Mitchelson, Professor A. J?. W. Thomas, the Hon. A. M. Myers, M.P.; hon. treasurer, Mr. H. T. Goldie; hon. auditor, Mr. X S: .Medley, F.P.A., ■X.Z.; hon. solicitor, Mr. F. H. Williamson; hon. auctioneer, Mr. E. A. Perkins. Messrs. Wm. Handley, J. G. ©odds, D. Hay, T. E. Pearson, W. H. Bice, C. W. Adams, F. H. Brown, tU Ken, F. 'Bennett, G. F. Day, R. 5. Paterson, J. Eock, iS. Wiltshire, C. Eetter, 'I. S. Jadca. Handley was elected chairman of the committee.