HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Hawera Star, Volume LI, 21 May 1932, Page 10

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

NORMANBY PREPARING FOR JUBILEE. REVIEW OF THE YEAR. (From Our Own Correspondent.) ; The annual meeting of the Nori maiiby Horticultural society was held , on Thursday evening, when there was - an attendance of about 40 members, i Owing to indisposition the president . (Mr. T. J. Allan) was unable to at- • tend, forwarded an apology and wish- ' ej the meeting all success. From a number of vice-presidents 'present at the meeting, Mr. G. Galloway was elected to the chair. PRESIDENT’S REPORT. The president’s report, tn congratulating members upon the entry into • the oOth year of the society's activities, stated that the books disclosed an excellent position, being better by £230 than just three yeans ago. He thought the society could be greatly commended for the good service it had rendered horticulture, fanning am: gardening generally, during the past 6U years. The history of the association could be reviewed with pride, from the early days when, by the offer of large prizes and valuable trophies, the production of export butter and cheese was encouraged throughout the district. In subsequent years the importation of various useful species oi plants and grains added materially to Taranaki’s local production, one of the most beneficial measures being the importation from all parts of the world in 1900 of over 100 different varieties of potatoes which, after extensive local trials, were further tested at the Government experimental farms, the most successful kinds then being made available to the growers of New Zealand. The experience and knowledge gained i of this venture lias ptoved of widespread benefit. In this, connection mention was made of the names of the late Messrs. AY. Rowe and R. S. Thompson, who were greatly responsible for the success achieved. By the encouragement of visiting nurserymen j the society had conferred a boon, not I only to south, but to all parts of! Taranaki. These gentlemen, with | many new and rare species of plant j life, had assembled at Normanby from] all parts of the North Island, there! being in the early days over 20 present at a single vshow. The jlate Mr. Thos. Lloyd, while j /secretary, encouraged these visitors I to the fullest extent, and they in their j turn expressed their appreciation of i his and the society’s services by a framed testimonial now hanging in the building. Another outcome of the society’s activities, was the formation at the 1904 show of the Horticulture Trades Association by visiting nurserymen, i and this association bias (since met \ annually in alternately the North and j South Islands, usually in the cine: j centres. It was hoped to have their ] representatives present at the coming I jubilee show. ] The past year, despite adverse eruditions, had proved one of the most if not the most successful, toe soc < Ly had ever experienced. The annua] show in March was successful in all ways, particularly so from the number and excellence of the exhibits displayed. AVith the possible exception of cut flowers every section showed ail improvement on the previous year and entries were over 1500, being within 100 of the previous record. Potatoes. field, crops and garden 'produce were of a particularly high standard, while entries in the 60 classes covering these sections averaged over seven per class. The innovation of a gladioli show proved a complete success and should assist in popularising this flower. Thanks were extended to all judges and stewards, the many donors of specials and trophies, the committees, members and the general public, who all contributed to the year’s success.

BALANCE SHEET. The balance sheet showed a profit on the main show (March) of £43 4s 9d, gladioli show a profit of £2O Os dd, and the general account a profit of £9 4s Id, making a total for the year oi £72 9s 3d. The only liability was bank overdraft of £Bl 12s 9d, this being offset by assets (which, to conform with the times, had been heavily written down), of £202, .leaving a margin of credit totalling £l2O 7s 3d. Mr. Galloway, in congratulating the members oil the position, said that it should give them great heart for the coming year, m view of the present economic conditions the results achieved were remarkable. Mr. T. Taylor supported the chairman’s remarks, an<] said that even in good times the result could be considered more than .satisfactory. OFFICERS. The following officers were elected to office for the ensuing year: Patron, Mr C. A. AVilki nson, M.P.; president, Mr T. J. Allan; vice-presidents, Messrs J. J. Patterson, J. Linn, B. C. Normanbv—-two —?? ??? ??? 33 Gibson, J. Meuli. A. C. Johnstone, J. Pill, G. Galloway. G. H. Mills. W. T. Hair, J. A. Archhold. R. J. Ballantine. C. Coxliead, G. W. G'ane, A. E. Spratt, A. Hastie, H. I. Crocker, W. j

Bennett, E. R. Marshall and T. Taylor ; executive committee, Messrs J. Howe-Giles, G. Galloway, B. C. Gibson, G. W. Gane, P. Linn, T. Pickering, T. Evans, A. E. Linn, A. E. Spratt, E. P. Grant, W. Bennett, C. Sc-heuber, W. Hayward, J. A. Archbold, E. R. Marshall, T. J. Hurley, H. Sommers, H. Smith, T. Taylor, the president and secretary; finance committee, the president, Mr G. Galloway and the secretary; entertainment committee, Messrs A. E. Linn, A. Galloway, C. Franklyn, G. Coxhead, J. 'Norfolk, junr., J. Howe-Giles, E. Linn, P. Linn, E. Gane, O. Scheulber, W. Bennett. T. Evans, T. Pickering, A. G. Smith, T. Parish, R„ Thrush and C. W. Harding; secretary and treasurer. Mr H. D. Hughes; auditor, Mr 11. J. Mason. All financial members are to form a general committee, and it was left to the ladies present to form their own committe, with power to add.

No new life members were elected. The present life members are Messrs C E. Gibson, J. Forbes, J. Best, G. Hadler, R. Dunn, F. Gillanders, D. Stewart, R. J. Linn and H. Betts, senr. SIPRING SHOW. It was decided that in addition to the autumn show in March and the gladioli show in January, to hold a spring bulb' show about September on a date to be arranged. Mr O. Good-son, of Hawera, forwarded, through the secretary, an offer of a. bulb as a prize, in each class. This offer was received with applause and appreciation is to be placed oil record. Afr El. Ri. Marshall, Mr T. Taylor, and Mr A. EL Linn also- made substantial offers towards the prize list, a vote of thanks also being recorded these gentlemen. GENERAL. A vote of thanks to all who had donated or assisted during the past year was carried with acclamation. It was decided to offe.r for lease the society’s section to the same tenant on the same terms as last year. Discussion arose as to the advisability f raising the annual subscription from 5s to 7s 6d, or alternatively Gs. It was pointed out that a member’s ticket was accompanied by a lady’s ticket, and with three separate shows covering altogether four days and four evenings it was far too cheap. The secretary, however, pointed out that in the jubilee year it would be appropriate to give theise concessions without raising the subscription, and there was no doubt the increased value of the membership would attract more new members to the society.

Thei latter view was upheld and subscriptions are to remain unchanged. The meeting closed with a vote of thanks to the Press for its support and reports during the year.