WAKATIPU HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Lake Wakatip Mail, Issue 3091, 11 August 1914, Page 4

WAKATIPU HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the a novo Society was held in Mr Gavin's shop on the 3rd inst. There was a good attendance of members. Mr D. F. Sutherland occupying the chair. The secretary,'Mr W. 1). Warren, read the balance sheet, which showed a credit balance of £7 14s 4d. Memtiers suhs riptions came to £l9 ss, special subscriptions £lb 17s, and door takings £l3 2s 6d. The principal expenditure was £35 13s 6d given out mi prize money at the various shows.

The report which was read was as follows:

Gentlemen,- Your committee pleasu e in submitting its report for the year 1913-1914. During that year two show were held—the spring show on t ''i>. iMh October, 1913. and the sumni ' diow on the 17th February, PHI. Last year the Society increased i seope by iac'uding ;l section : .• poultry in th- spring show. At each of 'the shows there was a splendid display of exhibits entailing the expenditure of a large amount of time, laoour and money on the part of exhibitors. It is pleasing to state that tie' figures show a- substantial increase not only in entries but also in exhibitors at both of the Society's shows. The entries for the spring show were I2fi in ITU3 as against 115 in 1912.

and for the summer show 422 in 1914 as against 305 in 1913. Exhibitors increased from 19 to 31 (spring) and from 3ii to 51 (summer) for the respective years. The inclusion oi the poultry section in the spring show was an experiment, but it proved a most successful one and was the means of creating a much greater interest in the society's operations. The poultry section. moreover, thoroughly justified its i'lc'usion for it more than paid for it-self bv the special subscriptions to the prize lis. and by |he entry money received. The balance sheet shows a credit balance of C 7 14s 4d and when uncollected membership subscriptions and special donations aie in there will be close on £l3 to the good. This is a very satisfactory state of things when it is considered that nearly CIO more was given away in prize- money than the previous yeni;, it amounting in all to the round sum of C 35 13 (id. There was also an inc.rea.-e in the hall and judges'charges. It is satisfactory to state also that the door receipts show an increase on previous years. The feature of the summer show was the line begonias shown by Mr |) .F. Sutherland, ll is seldom that the public haw witnessed a gi eater ueai.h of bk.om of this beautiful plant. The sweet pea -lasses created much rivalry, bringing out a large i':e!d of competitors and as a re-nt there were some line blooms c\lli- i e !. Mr War;en sc u ed ti eniost points in this section of the show, and thus holds the trophy for the lirst year. Mrs Mackenzie won the prize for the best and largest collection of sweet peas. Messrs Willcox and Smart tied for the mos! points in vegetables. There was a good showing of fruit and vegetabl -s but the culinary classes were not so numerous as usual. The thanks of the society are due in tin' donors of special prizes: to the Tourist Department for again kindly allowing Messrs Willcox and Kelly to assist on show days; to the ladies who provided refreshments at the spring show; to the Queenstown Brass Band for its services, and be the collectors.

For the Committee--W. D. WAR REX, Secy

The balance sheet and report were adopted on the motion of Messrs Gavin and McNeill. It was resolved that Mr Willeox write to the Riverton Hortieultur.il Society and procure a plan or miniature sample of the trestles used by that Society.

The following office-bearers were appointed:— Patrons: Mrs Mason, I)r Stewart, Hon. W. Fraser and Mr F. Onier. President, Mr I). F. Sutherland. vice-nwsidents: Messrs Alex. P,oyne. M. ,T. Gavin, L. J. Lynch and C. E. Graham. Committee: Messrs T. J. Kellv, T. F. Malaghan. T. F. Richards. W. Willeox, A. MeSwan. A. Simson. A. Bryant, T. Moiik and Rev. W. Uphill, and Mesdames Searle, MeSwan. Gavin, Graham. Sutherland Mavue. Simson, and Misses C. Anderson, Hamilton. Warren. Geisow mid Culling. Schedule Committees: "Flow,»r. M<>ssrs I). F. Sutherland. Wm. Willeox. M. .T, Gavin. T. J. Kelly and T. F. Richards; poultry—Messrs L. J. Lyineh. C. E. Graham and T. F. Richard's. Mr W. 1). Warren was again nominated for the position of secretary, hut stated that he would be unable to attend to the duties for a further period. It was therefore resolved, on the motion of Messrs Gavin and Richards, that Mr G. B. Burns be appointed to the position at the usual remuneration. Mr Gavin was reelected treasurer and Mr A. Boyne auditor.

The following collectors- were appointed: North side of Horn ('reek. Messrs Simson and Bryant: south side of same. Messrs Sutherland and Gavin.

It wa.> resolved lo hold all the shows as usual.

It was divided to make a recommendation to the Schedule Committee to include some novice classes. It was al-o resolved, on the motion of Messrs Richards and Warren, that ;t lie a le'onnnendafion to the Schedule committee to include a guessing coni})etition in the spring show.