HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 2928, 25 July 1911, Page 5

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of members of the Wakatipu Horticultural Society was held in the Mail office on Wednesday, 19th July, 1911. Present.—Mr Geo. Mackenzie, president, and Messrs T. F. Malaghan, R. P. Anderson, A. Simson, D. F. Sutherland, L. J. Lynch, W. Willcox, T. J. Kelly, and the secretaries, Messrs W. D. Warren and J. W. Fraser.

The balance sheet for the year ended 30th June, 1911, showed a credit balance of £5 9s 10s, as against .£ll 10s 4d last year. The report which was read in conjunction with the balance sheet, was, with the latter, read and adopted on tne motion of Messrs Sutherland and W illcox. Election of office-bearers.—Patrons: Wm. Fraser, Esq., M.P., Dr Stewart and Mrs Mason. President, Mr Geo. Mackenzie; Vice-piesidents: Messrs D. F. Sutherland, F. St Omer and J. W. Fraser. Messrs Fraser and Warren were re-elected secretaries and Mr A. Boyne, auditor.

Committees.—General: Messrs L. J. Lynch, T. F. Malaghan, T. F. Richards, R. P. Anderson, T. P. Monk, W. Willcox, C. D. Dagg, T. Kelly, H. Fisher, A. Boyne, A. McSwan, A. Simson, and Revs. Father O'Donnell, H. Packe, and J. D. Webst r; also Mesdames McSwan, Searle, Dagg, Sutherland, Fraser, Algie, Mayne and Misses Warren, C. Anderson, Geisow, Reid and Chapman. Schedule—Messrs Sutherland, Willcox, Fraser, Gavin and Kelly.

The secietaries were voted the usual honorarium of £4 4s on the motion of Messrs Malaghan and Willcox. It was resolved, on the motion of Messrs Sutherland and Kelly—That a Spring Show be included in the operations of the Society this year, the date to be decided by the Schedule Committee.

The following canvassers were appointed for the town:—North side of Horn Creek: Messrs A. Simson and T. F. Malaghan; south of creek: Messrs Sutherland and T. J. Kelly. Notices of motion were given that the following new rules be considered at a general meeting to be held on Thursday, August 10, 1911. By Mr J. W. Fraser— That all prize money overdue two months, and unclaimed at date of annual meeting, shall revert to the Society. By Mr A. Simson—That when occasion arises the committee shall have the right to allocate unallotted value prizes to any class in the schedule in lieu of cash.

The matter of having a refreshment stall at the Society's shows in view of making extra revenue discussed and it was decided to refer the matter to the Ladies' Committee. It was resolved that a record bo made on the minutes of the Society's sense of loss sustained by the deaths of Dr Douglas aad Mrs Monson and of its cuUiiulence with the relatives.

The following is the annual report which was presented at the meeting:—

Annual Report.

Your Committee in presenting their annual report have pleasure in reporting a fairly successful year. During the past year two shows were held—the Spring Show on the 6th of October, 1910, and the Summer Show on 16th February, 1911. The Spring Show was an innovation, and we are of opinion that it fully justified its inclusion in the Society's operations. It infnsed a good deal more interest in the Society as may be gathered from the increased membership. Anything but good weather was experienced for the Spring Show, but nevertheless, there was a most creditable display of the season's first and most fascinating blooms. The Summer Show was in some respects not quite up to the standard of previous exhibitions. The vegetable and fiuit sections were well maintained bnt there was a decided falling off in the cut flowers and pot plants sections, owing mainly to a dry season. Mr T. J. Kelly seemed the prize for most points in vegetables and Mr Geo. Mackenzie for most most points in cut flowers.

The attendance at the Spring Show »vas disappointing, but the door receipts from the Summer Show show an advance on last year's. There is still plenty of room for improvement in respect of the patronage bestowed by the public, as the Society looks to this as one of its principal sources of revenue. It is a pleasure to state that the membership has inqreased from 64 to 84—an advance of 20—which must be considered as very gratifying. Doubtless the present membership might even be further increased if members would consistently and persistently bring the benefits of the Society before their friends and acquaintances with a view to their becoming helpers, exhibitors and members.

The migrating spirit always accounts for the loss of members, but death has caused the loss of a very valuable member and patron of the Society in the person of the late Dr Douglas. The late Doctor was was the first president of the Society and from first to last took a keen interest in its welfare and contributed liberally to its funds.

From the balance sheet you will learn that the Society has hirdly held its own during the past year. The balance of £ll 10s 4d at the beginning of the year has fallen to JBS 9s lOd. This has been mainly doe to the shortage of subscriptions received foi special prizes for the Summer Show and also an item of £3 for extra rases helped to reduce the balance, but our assets have been increased by that amount. This is an expense that will not recur for same goods. Your Committee would recommend that some function apart from the shows be held during the year whereby the funds of the Society might be augumented. The thanks of the Society are again due to the Toarist Departmemt for allowing Messrs Willcox and Kelly to assist in the show arrangements at the hall. Their help is always much appreciated. The Society also expresses its special thanks to the donors of the special prizes and all who hare in any way furthered the interests of the Society.