NORTH OTAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Oamaru Mail, Volume XXXIX, Issue 10765, 13 May 1911, Page 4

NORTH OTAGO HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

The following report will bo submitted to Monday evening's meeting:—-, "Your' Committee have the gratification of reporting that the year has been the most successful yet recorded in the history of the Society'. " "The total membership has been'3lß, being sin increase, of 51 on the number fpr the preceding year, when a record membership was recorded. This evidence of the extension of the popularity of the Society is most encouraging, and furnishes complete justification of the policy adopted by a previous Committee in enlarging the privileges of meinIwrs by adding a Spring Show to the programme without increasing the cost of membership. "Another gratifying thing has been the advent or many new exhibitors, demonstrating the growth of interest in horticulture. The three shows, too, furnished evidence of this in the quantity and quality of the exhibits, which entitle the. Society's shows to rank with the best to be seen in the Dominion. All tlie valuable trophies now regularly offered for competition were eagerly competed for. The rose bowl was again won in Mr .Tames M'Larcn, who is now credited with three wins. Mrs W. Milne secured the sweet pea bowl for the third time. The competition for the cottage garden ciip was keen, and the t.rophv was secured for the first time bv Mrs E. Abbey Jones. The Oainarn Mail challenge trophy was, in an exceedingly close competition, won for the fourth time by Mr James Mitchell. An addition was made to the list of trophies by the presentation by Mr W. Strachan of a silver ciin for competition amongst -the public schools ■with exhibits from their school gardens. Unfortunately the season was an exceedingly unfavorable, one, and the contest was not so comprehensive as it would otherwise have been ; but two very excellent exhibits were made, the Piiketiri School being awarded the honor of first holding the trophy "For the incoming season your Committer bave the pleasure of reporting that Mr St. John Bnckley has donated a very -valuable cup for competition in outdoor uxowti ' cut blooms. The pre--cise "conditions have yet to be determined, but your Committee have full assurance that the donor's generosity will still further stimulate interest in horticulture, and add attractiveness to the Society's exhibitions. "During" the year your Committee f initiated a movement for a regular conference between' the kindred societies of Canterbury and Otago, with a view' to avoiding a clashing 6f dates of shows", the syst'ematising of methods of exhibiting and judging, and generally promoting : the welfare of horticulture. A preliminary meeting was held in-Oa-inarn, and : was attended by, delegates from the societies of Timara, and Wainuile and Oaniaro;' while sympathetic communications were received' from otbt-r cenlies. The project was warmly siippiiited. and, subject to tho' several societies acquiescing in the ■'scheme','''it was decided to hold a further meeting at Wai mate in June to establish'the Conference on a permanent basis; Your Committee commend the proposal to the Society for cordial acceptance, 'in the confident belief that it will'be productive of great: mutual benefit.- ' ' "The combined : growth of the : Society's exhibitions has made it clear that some'provision must be iriade for economising space arid .the better' display of exhibits,' while assuring to patrons full accommodation. With a'view to providing funds to carry ollt'reforms in those directions, your Committee "arranged an entertainment,, with satisfactory results, and they commend' the ir-ntter to' their successors for early consideration and action.

"The balance-sheet to be presented by the lion, treasurer shows that the finances of tl>e Society are in a healthy condition. The. receipts/ totalled £209 0s f 6d. "including £79 10s from m'entbers' subscriptions. £3B vdonated as special prizes, and £ll. Is 9d net' proceeds; of the entertainment. The/expenditure amounted to £175 7s lOd, the chief item being prizes £B4. while £7 8s 8d was expended on additional plant. "The balance remaining at credit.is £33 2s 83'. "Your-Committee again place'on Tec/>rd the valuable aid' giveii' by the Ladies' .Committee,, to ■ 'whose : enthusiasm, ene-rigy, arid zearhas''b'een 1\- due the. success of the Society's qpera~ tfbn.<,.'"""' " '".X"' " "''~'J r ' .'.". ""' "

' "Your Committee desire/to 1 make public" acknowledgment of the ; material aid giveiv'by .the drinors : of ;speciat prizes. To these, and to th'e Garrison' Band; the "Press, and all who hiive accorded help dered. -Y" ° - . "In conclusion vou'r Committee conthe best thanks of the Society are tengratulate members upon the success that has been attained, and upon'the prospect of continued advance and prosperity."