HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 22367, 17 June 1936, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

YEAR'S ACTIVITIES REVIEWED SPLENDID SUCCESS OF SHOWS High praise of the qualitative excellence of tho shows staged by the Dunedin Horticultural Society was voiced by several speakers at the fifty-fifth annual meeting last night, when a successful year’s activity was reviewed; The president (Mr H. S. Hungerford) presided over a large attendance. ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report stated that it was very pleasing to note another year of steady progress in the life of the society. its membership was strong, and the finances were in quite a satisfactory, state. Although the society had lost a few members by death, a number of new ones had joined, membership now standing at approximately COO. In this connection the society could not but refer to the deaths of Messrs Malcolm Scott and E. O. Reilly and Miss Reid. Four shows were held during the year, and on the whole the standard of excellence at these exhibitions was well -maintained. Although by no means a financial success, the spring show, held in conjunction with the National Daffodil Society of New Zealand, was instrumental in bringing honour to Otago growers. Mr H. T. Treyena, in winning the British Raisers’ Gold Cup, secured not only for himself but for Otago the greatest honour in the daffodil world. A new departure was made in the holding of the summer show. The decision to take advantage of the generosity of the executive body of St. Paul’s Cathedral in lending the society the school room free of charge was brought about by the fact that the heavy loss on the spring show could not be repeated in tne summer show. The function was successful; but, of course, the door receipts were practically nil. /The autumn show, although bringing forward probably one of'the finest vegetable sections the society had staged, for many years, was rather weak in other classes. The winter show, although lacking in quantity, staged excellent quality throughout, the exhibition single 'chrysanthemums taking pride of place, while the Peter Dick Cup for the open Japanese championship was won for tho first time, Mr J. Hollows being the successful competitor. At this show the Bledisloo Cup class provided new_ interest. Speaking generally, adverse" •weather conditions round about the show dates throughout the year were largely responsible for the comparatively* poor attendances, and in many cases small entries. It was only by concerted action and tho adoption of a progressive policy that the society could hope to maintain usefulness in the horticultural world. Conditions were ever changing, and the society must adopt a policy in keeping with the times. The society owed a debt of gratitude to the corporation and members of the staff of the Botanic Gardens, the Press, Begg’s Orchestra, Mr J. Atkinson (for 1-is excellent services as vase steward), the judges who had so ungrudgingly assisted trim time to time, the donors of trophies and special prizes, and all those who have in any way assisted in making'the past year’s work a’success. OnJhe motion of tho Chairman, the report’and balance sheet 1 were adoptedMr E. A. Hamel commented on the strong numerical position of • the socity, the membership comparing more than favourably with other similar bodies. The speaker remarked that the spring show this year had been a remarkable one, not from the financial aspect, but from the viewpoint of floral quality. “ There are more roses brought into Otago and sold than any other flower,” said Mr Hamel. He thought the society should make a special effort to place the summer show on a plane worthy of the flower represented at this exhibition. The other seasonal displays had been eminently successful, though the peculiarity of the weather had

resulted in a paucity of entries compared with other years. Mr James Nelson maintained that to compensate for the small attendances at the shows the society should strive to increase its membership. The society could only be kept healthy through a strong membership. He had noticed that there was a distinct improvement in the vegetable exhibits, which were excellently staged and well grown, comparing easily with the displays elsewhere in the Dominion. He congratulated the committee for its earnest endeavours to' keep horticultural interest at a high pitch, and the president and the secretary (Mr Charles Rhodes) for their splendid work. He congratulated the society on the excellence of its schedule, which was up to date in every respect. The treasurer (Mr P. 0. Vallange) presented the balance sheet, which showed a credit balance of £229 3s 2d. OFFICE-BEARERS. The election of office-bearers resulted : —President, Mr H. S. Hungerford; hon. treasurer, Mr P, O, Vallange ; hon. auditor, Mr A. Watson; vice-presidents—Messrs Henry Eennett, A. G, Rigby, H. T. Trevena, and J. Nelson; committee—Messrs E. E. F. Young, E. A. Hamel, C. B. Hall, J. SM'Cartney, G. Attwood, W. D. Hanlin, C. de Berry, W. Thom, J. Hollows, J, T. Gray, J. B. Downes, T. H. M‘Kenzie, M. Thomson, J. E. Ryan. S. MacPherson, K. O. Ramsay, A. M‘Donald, Mesdames M'Cartney, Kirk, Gcodycr, and Rigby, and Misses Mabel Duncan and A. Cable.