HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Evening Star, Issue 22688, 30 June 1937, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

•—■— A YEAR OF PROGRESS REPORT TO ANNUAL MEETING Another milestone has been passed in tho life of the society, and although naturally the disastrous seasons of tho past year have been reflected in decreased attendances at the shows, with a consequent drop in monetary takings, on the whole the society has cause for gratification in that its membership is strong, the enthusiasm groat, and the finances in a satisfactory state. This statement, contained in the annual report, expressed the satisfaction over a year of strenuous activity on the part of members of the Dunedin Horticultural Society, who held their annual meeting last night. Mr H. S. Huugerford presided over an attendance of about 30. The report referred to the fact that only three shows were held during the year, the committee having been reluctantly compelled to cancel the rose show on account of tho unseasonable weather, which was reflected in the inability on the part of. the exhibitors to stage blooms of the desired standard. • Everything being taken into consideration, the quality of tho blooms displayed at the three shows was surprisingly high, and displayed in a marked degree the horticultural ability of those responsible for their staging. It was worthy of note that tho exhibits in the narcissi section were of an exceptionally high standard, while Mr Gray’s seedlings were a revelation. Tho autumn show brought forward some very fine exhibits'of gladioli, especially those staged by Messrs S. D. and A. Macdonald. One particularly noteworthy stand put up by tliese exhibitors was nominated for the Jubilee Medal. That was a medal awarded by the Royal Horticultural Society to commemorate the jubilee of the late King George V., and was to be awarded to the most meritorious’ exhibit staged at the 1937 shows. The winter show, although the weather was again reflected in entries, was made outstanding by the wonderful display of chrysanthemums entered by Mr H. S. Huugerford. This exhibit was an object lesson of what can be done with skill combined with perseverance, even under unfavourable conditions. It was unanimously agreed to nominate this exhibit for the jubilee medal, it taking pride of place over that of Messrs S. D. and A. Macdonald of the previous autumn show. At tho three shows held through the year the exhibits of vegetables were of a very high erder. Tho society would remind all that it was only by concerted action and tho adoption of a progressive policy that it could hope to maintain its usefulness in the horticultural world. Condi-

tions were ever changing, and it must adopt a policy in keeping with the times. The resignation was reported of Mr Charles Rhodes from the position of secretary of the society. The society owed a particular debt of gratitude to tho Press, to the judges who had so ungrudgingly assisted it from time to time, to the donors of trophies and special prizes, to the competitors, especially those from afar who had staged such splendid exhibits under adverse conditions, to the Early Settlers’ Association for the very generous manner in which it had helped in connection with the alterations to the hiring of the hall, and to all those who had in any way assisted in making the past year a success and thus helped the society to be a useful asset in tho horticultural world. Moving the adoption of tho report and balance sheet, the Chairman said that tho society had ended the year in a slightly less favourable financial condition than that of a year ago. The season had, however, been a particularly unfavourable and_ difficult one, and, talcing everything into consideration, the year’s working must be considered very satisfactory. The report and balance sheet were adopted without discussion. OFFICE-BEARERS. Office-bearers were elected as follow :—Patron, His Excellency the Governor-General; president, Mr H. S. Hungerford; vice-presidents Messrs E. A. Hamel, G. Attwood, J. M'Cartney, J. Black, and M. Thomson; executive—Messrs A. G. Rigby, C. do Berry, E. E. F. Young, W. Hanliu, A. Macdonald, C. B. Hall. K. O. Ramsay, S. D. MacPherson, J. Gray, J. Milburn, B. Sherrill, W. Thom, J. Nelson, J. Masson, H. T. Trevcna. J. E. Ryan, W. Strachau, and J. B. Downes; Women’s Committee—Mesdames Rigby, M'Cartncy, W. Thomson, Young, Misses A. Cable and M. Duncan; hon. treasurer, Mr P. O. Wallace; bon. auditor, Mr J. Pickard; secretary, Mr C. E. Tyrrell. CUPS PRESENTED. The following trophies won during tho year were presented:—The New Zealand Institute of Horticulture Cup (for gladioli), to Messrs S. D. and A. Macdonald; Vallance Cup (single •chrysanthemum, amateur championship), to S. I. Webb; MTndoe Oup (chrysanthemum display), to H. S. Hungerford; H. S. Hungerford Cup (open chrysanthemum championship), to E.‘A. Hamel; Alec Stewart Cup (for decorative work), to Mrs M'Cartney; Alec Stewart Chrysanthemum Cup, to E. A. Hamel; H. S. Adams Cup (for six varieties of chrysanthemums), to T. E. Segar.