HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Evening Star, Issue 14965, 27 August 1912, Page 7

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Tile following is the 21st annual report of the Dunedin Horticultural Society:

Owing to the exceptional climatic conditions, the affaire of the society have during the past year been earned on with difficulty as far as the shows were concerned. The Summer Show, after postponement, was abandoned, but ;is a compensation 3. very successful show \vu3 held in the end of January. The Autumn Show, after postponement, was. abandoned altogether. Your committee would like members and exhibitois to know that interference with the schedule has taken place only under most undue circumstances, and only after the fullest consideration, involving extra meetings. Further, before coming to a decision the committee have, as far as possible, consulted likely exhibitors. Of course, instances of disappointment with the abandonment will occur, and it is with very much regret that the committee suspend a show, and only when any attempt at exhibition would seem to be hopeless. 'Hie financial position of the society is sound, and has been strengthened so much during the year that any development of the work of the society may bo undertaken with confidence. A sign of vitality in such organisations is the broadening of the scoi>e of operations. The financial position of the society might easily be better, for many members have not paid up their subscriptions. The amount received for members' tickets is £SO less than that of last year. The attendance at shows lias been very sjood, as may be judged from the fact that, despite the loss of leeeipts from, one show, the money received for admissions is only £2 less than that received during the previous year. Thero is not much to be .said about the quality of exhibits, as voiics and sweet peas at their best were practically ruled out by weather conditions; but excellent sweet peas were shown in. the January show, and the chrysanthemum, was as good as ever, reflecting great credit on the growers bringing them to such perfection in such a. bad season. As an advance in the number of trophies for competition was made during tho year, two cups being added (one from Skene and Fleming and one from Robt. Sydenham, Ltd., Birmingham), it was hoped that additional interest would be aroused in the sections they were attached to —vegetables and sweet peas; but here again the weather ruled otherwise. It is to be hoped tliat a cup for roses may be added this year. Mr Neil Hordon, of Sawyers Bay, is. the holder of the Sydenham" daffodil cup for this year. Although keen disappointment may have been felt by some through the inability of the committee to meet their engagements in tho matter of ehows, it is expected that credit will be given to the committee for good intentions and earnest endeavor.