NORTH OTAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume IV, Issue 994, 26 June 1879, Page 2

NORTH OTAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The annual meeting of the members of this Society was held at Mr. Earle's rooms last night, the president (Mr. H. Oonnell) in the chair. There were about twenty gentlemen present. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. The secretary read the annual report, as follows

In bringing forward their report the Committee have much pleasure in congratulating the Society on the success which has attended it during the past year. At the commencement of the year it was decided that money prizes should be given to exhibitors in "all classes for each exhibit mentioned in the schedule, instead of medals to those obtaining most points in each class as hitherto. This system your Committee are glad to have to report has proved satisfactory, as it brought a greater number of exhibits to the show than heretofore, and has given general satisfaction to exhibitors. A sum of 1,3.8 19s 6d was awarded for money prizes to exhibitors for the two shows. It was also decided to hold the Society's Spring Show on the same days as that of the 'Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Society's Show, and although the so doing oaused our show to be considerably earlier in the season than previqiig spring shows, it proved a success both in number of exhibits (which were more numerous than those of previous shows) and financially, a sum of L 29 2s 6d having been taken at the doors for admission\ of visitors, while the show itself was fully 1 equal to any previous spring show, the exhibits of pelargoniums, fine foliaged plants, and rosea being exceptionally fine.

The Autur, tL g] 1 . f nvWs nK ... .r riu cess, and by far the best horticultural ? uc " that has taken place' 111 Oamani for ?, years. The display of fuschias, fine f,,ih n ?\ plants, and other exhibits addin : > imii ♦ its success, while in class cut ilowers V exhibits were both numerous and hi'r.li creditable. In fruit the exhibits were wit' 1 out doubt the best over shown in o :uil ,. and it was declared by the judges to'lio'ii"' best show of fruit they had soon. Tin- sh ' C of vegetables was also very line, mvl a improvement on previous shows l>o'h number of exhibits and quality. n The accompanying statement of aeeoui iand balance-sheet prove that the Sooj!/. has been liberally supported during the year, the gross receipts from all sourcesliif eluding balance in hand at eoiiinu u,.,.,,, I of the year) being H 24 His Sd : ami tlio Vpenditure (including L 25 Ms Sd ,hi<> f n ,f" last year) being LI 19 9s 4d, thus leavinl " clear cash balance in favor of the -'ocietv L 5 7s 4d. • 01

The Committee in retiring from ollicc he to tender their thanks to the judges. nienfbers, contributors, and to the public for t],j assistance and support so liberally Vc . u them, and to express a hope that tlie'ir labors have proved satisfactory. The thanks of the Committee are also due to those gentle, men who forwarded exhibits for exhibition only, not for competition. They also h lVe to thank Mr. Earle for the use of his room in which to hold their meetings, ami in eon', elusion trust that the same libera 1 «U). may bo given to their successor as has 1n,.,, accorded to them.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted, and the election of officers then took place, with the following result President, Dr. Do Lautour ; Viee-lVesi. dent, Mr. A. Simpson ; Treasurer, J[ r Montagu ; Hon. Secretary, Mr. Npratt • Committee : Gardeners ■ —■ Messrs. p,,,/ syth, Hartley, Hey wood, and Maloiii'v Amateurs Messrs. Connoll, Lemon' Earle, Glen. '

Votes of thanks were passed to tlio outgoing officers, and a special vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Earle, for the free use of his rooms.

Mr. Kidd gave notice that he would move at next annual meeting that th e number of committeemen be increased from 12 to 18. A vote of thanks was accorded to tlit Chairman, and the meeting terminated.