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HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

By referring to an advertisement ia another column of this issue readers of the Star will see that this old established society intends holding a monster bazaar on the 29th inst., the proceeds oi' which it is hoped will go"largely towards clearing the overdraft, and thus put the society o»i a firm footing. Perhaps .at this juncture it will not be out of place to make a few remarks, on the history of Taranaki's oldest Horticultural exhibition. At a meeting of the committee held last week Mr Thomas Robson, who is recognised as the? father of the society, gave some interesting particulars of the first show held nearly 30 years ago. Mr Robson said that when quite a youth, in the North of England, he had attended a horticultural gathering, and was so impressed with tlie benefits to be derived from these exhibitions that he determined that, should occasion offer. h& would endeavor to start a society. This occasion came many years after "in the little town of Normanby, and he, in conjunction with a few other settlers (amongst -vhom were Messrs W. Rowe, G. W. Epping, Jas. Livingston, and the late Messrs Jas. Morrison, W. Inness and iFnlayson) called a meeting, and the Normanby Horticultural S«=. ciety was started. Mr A. G. Brett was? the first secretary, and the initial show was advertised to take place on the 17th March, 1883. The morning of the showcame and no entries had been received. ITowever not to be daunted, the committee went to the hall and to their astonish-, ment were soon busily engaged in stageing exhibits, which the surrounding settlers were bringing jn, Avhilst the secretary at the door took the entries. The show was a pronounced success, and was the means of starting one of the. most popular gatherings in Taranald. Mr Robson added thathe had seen the birth of the society, and he trusted it would be many years before he attended its funeral. Successful shows followed, and owing mainly to entertainments given by the Black Lily Minstrels (a local troupe), the society was able to purchase the site at present occuoied by its large hall. On. deciding to build, a monster art union * was chosen as the means of raising funds, and the then secretary (Mr Thomas Lloyd) ably carried out the arrangements, and complete success would have resulted had not a prosecution followed, which greatly reduced the proceeds. However, with the help of ant overdraft at the bank, the building was erected. After a more sobdgoooflifixnk erected. After more successful exhibitions the debt was nearly cleared, and it was , found necessary to enlarge the building as the"show had increased to such an extent that room could not be found for the exhibits. Again, the society obtained help from the bank, guaranteed by three prominent members find a large addition was made to tie hall, which successive shows, although successful in the annals of the society of rlebt. * * The show of 1912 was one of the most successful in the annuals of the society and far exceeded in the number of en-' tries (over 1,500) any previous exhibiV tion, mainly owing; to the energy of the president (Mr E. J. Shrimpton) and the executive committee, who were ably assisted by the secretary, Mr R T Cowern. Determined to' make a fur- | tner effort to clear the society of debt a monster bazaar was determined on, and this function will be officially opened bythe Prime Minister on Wednesday, 29th inst., at 3.30 p.m.', when ife is ho^ed that residents of the district will, by their attendance in large numbers, show that they have aporeciatec* the efforts of the Nor^anby Horticultural Society to provide at their annual shows exhibitions of great educational value.

Permanent link to this item

https://paperspast.natlib.govt.nz/newspapers/HNS19120520.2.54.2

Bibliographic details

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 20 May 1912, Page 5

Word Count
626

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 20 May 1912, Page 5

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXXI, Issue LXII, 20 May 1912, Page 5

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