THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 13908, 6 December 1910, Page 8

THE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

tO Tl!_ EDITOB OT "THE PBESS."

€nr,—ln reading you account of the Christchurch Horticultural Society's mcctihg in to-day's issue, I was rather surprised at the statements made by «ie chairman, Mr Ragg. The leading _tf»teurs and the principal amateur prize-takers of last year were never consulted in the matter. Tlie present show, which is to be held on Tuesday nest, is being organised by the amateurs of Christchurch (the backbone of the Christchurch Horticultural Society). Their idea in thus holding a show is actuated by a pure desire to foster the love of the "Queen_of flowers" in our city, and not as Mr Ragg suggests, by any feeling of bitterness or ill-feeling towards the society. —yours ,etc, CAROLINE TESTOUT. December 3rd.

TO THE KUITOR OF "THE PRESS.'

Sir, —Reading an account in your paper this morning of the committee meeting of thc Horticultural Society, I cannot fail to pass a few remarks about same. The amateurs of Christchurch have been practically the backbone of tho Society, and when the committee decides not to hold a show as promised, tho amateurs aro justified in holding one of their own. A rose exhibitor protects his bloom for show purposes, whether it is rain or sunshine, and he should. I think, have a chance to show, after all his trouble. Apparently very few amateur rose-growers were nst.ed for their opinion, for they are giving the new ombyro Society every help possible. The remark of one member, vide "Press," December 3rd, is, perhaps, worth noting—"Treat it with contempt." That: is what, thoy have done in the past, and now the amateurs are taking it in their own hands, and 1 wish them every success, and will give them all support possible.—Yours, etc., AMATEUR. Deoember 3rd. TO THE KPITOH OP "IIIE PHBSS." Sir, —As an old horticulturist of nearly 25 years standing, the remarks that are published this morning as having been made by Mr A. R. Ragg, president of the Christchurch United Horticultural Society, appear ridiculous and absurd. We read in a paragraph under tho Garden Notes, that rose and swuet Pea shows aro hold everywhere, with marked success: how then is it that we cannot make one a success, when we have a much larger area to draw from ? The answer is not far to Beek —want of enthusiasm; and this, to my mind, is brought about by the way that matters are carried out by the officers appointed to perform the duties to which they havo been elected.

Tho gentlemen appointed to preside over the destiny of the Society have ' not the business acumen that is needed ■ to carry on a society that has to husband its financed. Many years ago the society was in funds to the extent of several hundred pounds, which was subsequently spent, and of recent years, at the timo of our last Intercolonial Ex- , bibition, had again accumulated something over one hundred pounds. One of our ablest and mo6t enthusiastic

members then on tho committee did all -, in his power to induce his colleagues to place a portion of this sum on fixed de-

posit, which could not be denied was a very wise proposition, but, no, this snm was left at credit of the general fund, and is now nearly defunct through mismanagement. Now, with such bungling can it "be wondered that members are halfhearted towards a society that does not deserve support. There are many more subjects on which I could touch, but the above will show that the few who have handed themselves together for tne jpurpose of holding a show are not entirely to blame.—-Yours, etc., APRONATUS PONICUS.

December 3rd