HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume XIV, Issue 1862, 3 April 1869, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the members of the Christchurch Horticultural Society was held last evening in the sideroom of the Town Hall. On the motion of Mr G. Gobdon, Mr Duncan was voted to the chair. The Chaibman briefly opened the business of the meeting and said -the President regretted that it was probable he would not be able to be present that evening. He then called on the Secretary to read the report, which was as follows :— Your committee have great pleasure in laying before the members of this society the seventh annual report, showing an extending influence in promoting and fostering horticultural pursuits in this province. At the two exhibitions held during the past season there was a manifest improvement in the quality of many of the productions entered for competition as compared with previous years; the second show more especially, though somewhat deficient in cut blooms, was remarkable for the general excellence of its pot plants, fruits, and vegetables. The attendance of visitors at the first exhibi- - tion was 'considerably smaller than at the corresponding show of the previous season. This fact caused your committee some anxiety as to the measure of success that was likely to attend the last exhibition, and after careful consideration they resolved to keep it open during the evening, a measure which proved, highly successful, and greatly to. the benefit of the society's funds, showing a largely increased attendance as compared with the second show of last year.. ■* Your committee also desires touring to your notice the very gratifying fact of the largely increased number of competitors at the last exhibition, being at least one-third more than on any previous occasion. Another pleasing feature of the past season has been the very liberal sums given through the society by members themselves as extra prizes ; and your committee trusts that the coming season may show a largely increased list under this head. In conclusion, your committee desires to congratulate the members on the improved position of the society since the last annual general meeting, and is of opinion that the prospects of the society were never brighter or more encouraging than at the present time. Mr Milne moved—"That the report be adopted." Mr Bbiscoe seconded the motion, which was agreed to. The Treasurer (Mr G. Gordon) then read the annual balance sheet, which set forth that the receipts, including a balanc of £31 9s 7d, were £184 6s 8d; total expenditure, £111 Is 4d; balance to the credit of the society, £73 5s 4d. An approximate statement showed the total amount of assets to be £95 lis 4d, and the total amount of liabilities to be £83 13s 6d. The Chaibman congratulated tho meeting upon the very satisfactory state of the finances of the society. On the motion of Mr Naxbn, seconded by Mr Maofablane, the Treasurer's report was adopted. | Mr Gibbs moved—" That the thanks of the I society be recorded to the President, VicePresident, and other members of the society for the very able manner in which they have discharged their onerous duties of their respective offices during the past year." Mr Maceablanb seconded the motion, which was agreed to. A similar vote of thanks was passed to the retiring committee. The Chaibman bore testimony to the able manner in which the Treasurer and Secretary had performed their duties. Mr W. Wilson was unanimously re-elected president, and Messrs J. G. Hawkes and G. Gould were unanimously re-elected vice-pre-sidents. Messrs G. Gordon and J. Greenaway were unanimously re-elected as treasurer and secretary. The following gentlemen were elected by ballot as the committee for the ensuing year, viz., Messrs Stewart, Duncan, Norman, Milne, St Quentin, Macfarlane, jun., Compton, Nairn, Spicer; Ashton, West, Abbott, McKay, Macfarlane, sen., Gibbs, Lord, Crookes, and Hennah. The meeting then proceeded to consider a letter from the Horticultural and Pastoral Society requesting the Horticultural Association to hold an exhibition on the same day and on the same ground as the Agricultural

and Pastoral Association hold their exhibition, no charge to be mad.' for the use of the ground ; but the Horticultural Society not to participate in tho gate-money, but to make their own charge for entrance to their tents. On the motion of Mr Nalbn, seconded by Mr Hislop, it was resolved that the consideration of the above letter be deferred for a month and that the Secretary be requested to call a special general meeting [for that purpose. After the transaction of some other business the meeting terminated.