N.Z ALPINE and ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY.

Hutt News, Volume 6, Issue 5, 5 July 1933, Page 7

N.Z ALPINE and ROCK GARDEN SOCIETY.

JThe» -annual meeting of the N.Z. Bock, Garden 'So.ciety wais held last Wednesday evening, the president, Mr Hope B. iGibbons, oocuipying the chair., The annual report and Walance sheet, was adopted, i

jMr Hope B. Gibbons was ie-elected, president and Mr T. W. Atfwood, DirdcUor. '

In accordance with the rules of Society six me'nubers of the Council retire each year and the following were re-elected:—-Mrs A. \R. Gower, Messrs G.«iP. Anderson, J. Mitchell, iWm. Smfth, B. Hutt, Mrs G. M. Hobbs and Mr 0. D'ryden were elected to fill ttarw vacancies on the Council. ■ All the vice-p'resldentls were re-elected; Mt» W. E. Robson was re-appointed audito'E

,After reviewing the annual report (wbichi is printed below), the president expressed his t'lmuks to the Director, Mr Atfcwood, for Ms untiring energy on beh'aliE of the Society. He also thanked the ladies' committee fqr their Valued a'sis'is'tance on numerous occasions, especially at garden outings, and Mrs Grower who had allow, ed meetings- to be held in her house.; Mrs iSurtfees, the assistant secretary and (the hon. auditor wero also thanked far 'their valued help. - (Alt tfhe eon«lusion of the "business members were entertained at supper. Special Events. The special events of this year have undoubtedly been the visits arranged by the Society to some of the most interesting gardens in and around Wellington. The interest in these visits has been well maintained and we are indebted to the following ladies and gentlemen for their very generous hospitality. The names are in the order of the visits paid:—Dr. and Mrs. Gieson (Belmont); Mr. and Mrs. Spooner (Lowry Bay); Mr. and Mrs. Hope Gibbons (Lyall Bay); Mr. and Mrs. B. Sutherland (Karari); Mr and Mrs. S. M. Hobbs (Lower Hutt); Mr. and Mrs. D. A. Ewen. It is hoped to continue again next summer these special visits, and we have already two invitations from members. These visits will in future be noted in the Monthly Letter, so that country members visiting the Capital City may be able to time their visit, in order to join1 us in these very enjoyable outings. As mentioned in the July Monthly Letter, the Director paid visits to Wanganui and New Plymouth, besides to many members in the Wellington and surrounding districts. It is hoped that another district will be visited this year. While the Monthly Lettei may be helpful, a personal visit should be more so- —it's just a question of funds! The Bock Garden. Early in. the year we were presented with six tons of splendid limestone by Mr. Robert Campbell, of Carterton, Mr Campbell paying- all costs delivered to Riddiford Park; this was a splendid gift and highly appreciated. A -special section was set out and built with this stone and is reserved for such as require an abundance of lime. About the same time a further large section was added to the Rock Garden and this took in the east bank of the creek for a distance' of about two chains, and used forty tons of rocks in the formation. We are indebted to the Borough Council ReI serves Committee for part cost on this addition.

Another added attraction, this year was the gift of a whole load of water lilies by Messrs Percy of Petone. This gift was made through Mr. Hutt, superintendent of parks and reserves, who kindly arranged for the careful planting of these rare plants. They were quite a sight all summer.

We are again indebted, for gifts of plants, to Messrs T. Waugb, and Son, Lower Hutt; Duncan and Davies, New Plymouth; C. F. Pilcher Lower Hutt; J. N. Anderson, Napier; Rhodes, Wanganui; Evans and Sawyer, Alpine Specialists, - Manakau; and for seeds to R, N. Wailj Wellington. - Realising the objects, for .witch the Society stands and the efforts we are making to promote the interests of this fascinating branch of horticultural work, these firms and individuals are ever ready to assist the Society in every possible way and it is with great pleasure we publicly register our hearty appreciation. Competitions. The competitions the Society arranged at the beginning of the year have not been the success we had hoped, in- the case of the children's perhaps we made the conditions a little too stiff; in any case only one competitor was prepared to enter the lists. It is proposed to reconsider the proposition, and if possible evolve something that will appeal to the competitive instincts of the children and at the same time be of some educational value."

The photographic contest for adult members fared little better, although several have intimated their intention to compete. So far only one packet of photos has reached this office. The time for closing has been extended and will be determined as soon as twelve entries are to hand. For particulars of this competition1 see the April issue of the Monthly Letter for 1932.

Plants, Seeds and Exchanges. "

The interest iaken by members in the collection of seeds and plants

for exchange and re-distribution, is well maintained. Occasional parcels reach us, however, with no identification mark, save the postmark, and while we are grateful for any seeds or plants sent in, we should like to know, in all. cases, to whom we are indebted.

Your executive again wish to place on record its appreciation of the services of the Society's Director (Mr. T. W. Attwood), in furthering the objects of the Society.

The Society wishes to place on record the success of our Vice-Presi-dent, Mr. J. G. Helyar, who was awarded the Governor-General's trophy for the garden containing the best display of New Zealand Flora as its principal feature. This is the second occasion on which this highly prized trophy has been awarded in the Hutt Valley and in both

cases to members of the Rock Garden Society.

In conclusion the Executive gratefully acknowledges the services of those ladies and gentlemen who have given so generously of their time and experience along the many avenues of the Society's activities. In this connection special reference must be made of Mr. Hutt and Mr. Edwards' at the Society's Rock Gardens, and to Mrs Gower for her generous hospitality at Council meetings; and the Director wishes to specially thank ladies and gentlemen for car services so freely placed at his disposal; and to Mr. O. Dryden for very valuable assistance in preparing the Monthly Letter for distribution.

i. • ' President. (Signed) HOPE B. GIBBONS,