GARDENERS MEET

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 57, Issue 4000, 31 May 1948, Page 5

GARDENERS MEET

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY NEED FOR INSTRUCTOR ELECTION OF OFFICERS The third annual meeting of the Paeroa Horticultural Society was held in the Borough Council Chambers on Monday night, May 24. The president, Mr J. L. Brown, presided over a small attendance of members. Mr H. P. Wylde, secretary, congratulated the president on his report. Mr Brown then referred to his

remarks in the report in regard to

the steady decline of entries in the cooking section of the spring and autumn shows. He suggested that

this was due, not so much to the shortage of materials such as eggs and butter, but to the shortage of time, which people entering in other sections would have to face. Mr A. Bridge moved that the cooking section be discontinued for at lea<t one year; Mr L. Havill seconded the motion. Mr Wylde said he would like to add his thanks to those of the president in his report for the work done by the

stewards in the shows. “ They do so

much work, and it is so very much appreciated that I think it could stand a little more praise,” he said.

State of Finances

The honorary treasurer, Mr L. A. Clark, then presented his annual balance sheet which showed a credit balance of £ll 6s Id, compared with £l3 Ils lOd last year. Mr Clark pointed out that there had been a lot of nonrecurring payments this year, such as the £23 10s spent on trophies, and that their position at the present was actually better than when they started. Donations received over the year amounted to £32 19s, compared with £l4 18s in 1947. Mr Wylde asked if it would be necessary to make an appeal for donations this year and Mr Clark said it was a general rule in all horticultural societies to do so. Mr L. Havill offered to assist Mr Wylde in contacting the big seed firms with regard to donations. A vote of thanks was accorded the treasurer for his

report. Mr Brown suggested that a letter Ibe sent to Mrs H. V. Peart and also Mrs D. W. Robson, both of whom had not been in good health of late, wishing them both a speedy recovery. Officers Elected The election of officers resulted: Patron, Mr Edwin Edwards; president, Mr J. L. Brown; vice-presidents, Mesdames H. V. Peart, J. Motion, M. J. Thomas, D. W. Robson, W. F. Johnstone, Messrs L. A. Clark, A. Fletcher, Hugh Morrison, D. W. Robson, W. F. Johnstone, P. O’Brien, D. Vincent; hon. treasurer, Mr J. A. Clark; hon. auditor, Mr R. S. Nicol; secretary, Mr H. P. Wylde; committee, Mesdames H. W. Fowler, H. P. Wylde, Messrs A. S. Julian, A. Bridge, R. L. Darley, A. Fletcher, R. J. W. Clark; schedule committee, the president, secretary and Messrs A. Fletcher and L. Havill.

The spring show will be held as usual on the second Monday in September, this falling on September 13 this year. The autumn show will be held on the second Monday in March.

Mrs Fowler asked if there was to be a rose display this year. Mr Wylde suggested that carnations or gladioli be displayed instead. “ I do not think lit would be wise for us to launch three shows in a year,” said Mr Brown, “ but if we could hold a display in connection with some other function in town it would help to publicise our society.” All monetary gain would go to the organisers of the function, not to the horticultural society. It was left to the committee to arrange this and to choose the flower to be displayed according to the date of the display. More Funds Needed The need for raising more funds wa s stressed by Mr Wylde and it was suggested that a trading table be held at the spring and autumn shows. It was left to the committee to deal with the matter.

Mr R. Clark expressed the opinion that some form of horticultural lectures or demonstrations should be given for the benefit of new members of the society. Members expressed their doubt as to whether enough people would attend if an instructor was procured but it was finally decided that Mr Wylde contact the instructor of agriculture in Hamilton with a view to his coming to Paeroa one Saturday or Sunday to give a demonstration of shrub and fruit tree pruning. The date of his coming will be advertised as soon as it is finalised. The meeting dosed with a vote of thanks to the council for thj use of their chambers.