HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 15 May 1928, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING AT ELTHAM. The annual meeting of the Eltham Horticultural Society was held last evening. There was a fair attendance of members, the retiring president (Mr. R. Lewis) being in the chair. ANNUAL REPORT. In presenting a brief report of the society’s activities, the president said there were matters for congratulation and consideration. The spring show' proved an undoubted success in point of number and quality of blooms exhibited. Personally, he considered it one of the best in the history of the society, and those well qualified to judge were of the opinion that it ranked u'itli the best in the Dominion. The summer show was somewhat disappointing, especially in the number of entries received, some of the best sections of other years being sparsely filled, w-hich might he aecountedi for by the unfavourable weather experienced, in addition to the unfortuna.te loss of a number of large local exhibitors. Ow'ing to diverse circumstances, the autumn show was abandoned. Matters of careful consideration were the framing of schedules, the number of shows to be held, and their consequent bearing, from a financial point of view', upon the society’s funds; also the possibility of creating more enthusiasm and increasing the attendances of the public. The society w T as indebted to' those officials and helpers who had given ungrudging service to make the society what it was —a distinct asset to the. town. The speaker washed to record his appreciation of the hearty cooperation of members during his term of office. THE FINANCIAL POSITION. The balance-sheet disclosed a credit cash balance of £4 10s. Commencing the past year with a credit of £5 Is 3d, the society’s operations showed a small loss, receipts amounting to £ll6 7s, against an expenditure of £ll6 18s 3d. On the spring and summer shows’ account receipts w'ere: Entrance fees £29 7s 6d and door takings £27 3d; schedule advertisements realised £23 12s 6d, and the sum of £32 15s was received in members’ subscriptions. The principal items of expenditure were printing and advertising £37 Is. prizes £39 7s, Town Hall rent £9 Is Gd, judges’ expenses £5 Os 6d, and secretary's honorarium £ls. ELECTION OF OFFICERS. The election of officers for the ensuing year resulted: President, Mr A. H. Best; vice-presidents, Miss A. Quin, Messrs. R. Lewis and F. R. Peppered; secretary, Rev. W. W. Avery; executive committee, Miss Quin, Messrs. A. Ciirystal, R. H. Cover, C. Needham, R. Lewis; general committee, Messrs. M. McGarry, T. C. Stunners, C. Needham, 11. H. Cover, J. F. Melirtens, K. Tarrant, H. C. Belcher, T. Fountaine, I. J. Bridger, C. C. Willis, T. E. Thompson, A. Chrystal, C. E. Rowe, Mesdames J. W. Stubbs., Doyle, C. N. Taplin, M. McGarry, D. Syme, Ricketts, Misses Craig and A. . Wilson. The Rev. W. W. Avery considered it unwise to continue the chiysantliemum show in view' of the small number of local exhibitors and the almost certain financial loss. This opinion was shared by Messrs. Lewis and F. R. Peppered, though the' latter considered the matter should be thoroughly threshed out by the incoming committee, to whom it was finally decided to refer the' question. Mr. Lewis agreed that had the third show !>een held the loss on the year’s working would most probably have been greater than wa.s actually the case.

It. was decided to hold the next spring show on, September 19 and refer determination of the date for the summer show to the executive. On. the motion of Mr. Peppered it was decided to take the necessary steps to affiliate with the Royal Horticultural Society, England.