HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22295, 22 June 1934, Page 16

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY

ANNUAL MEETING ' The annual meeting of the Dunedin Horticultural Society was held last, night, the president (Mr J. Nelson) being in the chair. The chairman said it was very pleasing to see such a large attendance. Many year s had passed since such a large number of members had attended an. annual meeting. It was also pleasing to aee many ladies present. ANNUAL REPORT. The report stated that the past year had been one of marked progress. The membership had increased by over 250, and now stood at 592. The financial position was sound; new property had been purchased and the old had been written down to the lowest level. A number of new exhibitors had joined the ranks. During the past year four shows,were held, and although weather conditions were anything but favourable, the exhibits, as a whole, were well up to the average, and some noteworthy stands were set up. Competition, especially in the amateur classes, was sometimes very keen, and occasionally the judges had considerable difficulty in allocating the awards. As in the past the spring show wa ß outstanding- for the number of entries aud the keenness of the competition. The display of narcissi, primroses, and.' tnlips was most noteworthy, and these, with the other exhibits, provided a sight to delight the eye. In the opinion of. the judge (the Rev. W. N. Avery) the locally raised narcissi seedlings compared very favourably with any other he had seen in New Zealand. The collection of narcissi from the garden of Sir J. Heaton Rhodes was one of the features of the show. ' The summer show Wag quite successful, and some beautiful blooms of roses were staged. In pansies and violas the competition was very keen, and the variety and quality of many of the blooms were quite outstanding. The . autumn show was a very successful one and the display of gladioli, dahlias, and sweet peas was well up to standard. The winter show was a pleasing surprise to all. In the different shows the standard of excellence in the vegetable competitions had been well maintained. Decorative and floral work was, ae usual, a special feature of the shows. The artistic displays staged in this class we're much admired by all, and those responsible for them should receive every encouragement. The Gardening Club, which was affiliated to the society, had a very successful year, and by means of lectures and. out-door demonstrations, the ; interest of its members had been well maintained. Moving the adoption of the report and balance sheet, the chairman said that when the committee started the year the society was not in such a good financial position as it should have been, and the committee was determined that the position should be improved. The course adopted meant: radical changes. It was the determination of' the committee to increase the membership. The prize fund had been augmented through the receipt of,many prizes and donations, and the work undertaken had resulted in a successful year. It was hoped that the new committee would take a lead from the example set by the old committee. If members would only put their shoulders to the wheel, they could improve on the work already done. The committee had only touched on the fringe as regards membership. If as a society they could make the people realise the beauty of the Dunedin gardens, he was convinced they would secure additional members and receive more support from the public. It was hoped that the balance sheet would show a substantial increase nextyear, and. that the new committee would make just as good progress as the out-going committee. The society's work had attracted interesting exhibits from outside Dunedin. This was indeed satisfactory,. in view of the national. show, which was to be held under the' society direction next January. Exhibitors from all over New Zealand would be competing, and it hoped that Dunedin exhibitors would make a display worthy of the city. The society would certainly do its share in.that, direction. •■'■-' :..'';•.,-'•■ ■•-:,:■■

The motion was seconded by Mr E. A. Patterson, and the report and balance sheet were then adopted. The treasurer, in presenting the balance sheet, stated that there was a credit balance of £6 5s lid. VHe said it was the best balance submitted for many years.

Mr G. A. Skene paid a tribute to the work carried out by the'president, the secretary, the committee, and the ladies during the-year. ■ Mr E. A. Hamel, who said he wqs the oldest member present, claimed that the society was the,most progressive and ; the most financial body of 1; its Ikihd in New .' .' , ALEXANDER STEWART CUP. The Alexander Stewart Perpetual, Challenge Cup for the best.single chrysanthemum seedling raised by the exhibitor and exhibited at the society's Winter Show was presented to the winner for 1934 (Mr J.' Black) by the. chairman. In stating that this was the first occasion on which the trophy had been presented on behalf of the Certifying Committee, the chajrman congratulated .-Mr Black on his success. He a' total of 6.525 points with a "Winifred ■" bloom. The other awards made, in the competition were:—Messrs H. T. Trevena, 6.39 points with a "Fireside" bloom, 5.57 points.^with a "Golden Sunset" bloom, 5;4 points with a "Jersey Cream " bloom, 4.14 points with a "Rose Marie" bloom, 3.6 points with a "Picador" bloom; W. Strachan, 3.75 points with a red single bloom; and Messrs Perrolt and Marshall, 2.812 points. '■ : 'V NATIONAL SHOW. Mr H. Bennett, president of the New Zealand ; Horticultural Trades'- Association, in ', referring to the national show to be held in Dunedin next January, said a.strong committee was now working on behalf of the show. The Southland people were very enthusiastic, and intended to make an attractive display. He had met with a splendid response from people in North Otago, and South Canterbury, Canterbury, Taranaki, and Auckland residents would be among the exhibitors. OFFICE-BEARERS. The following office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year:—Patron, Lord Bledisloe) president, Mr J. Nelson; vicepresidents—Messrs G. A. Skene, H. Bennett, J. Black, H. S. Hungerford, and J. B. Downes; treasurer, Mr P. 0. Vallange; auditor, Mr W. G. Pickard; committee—Messrs G. Attwood, A. de Berry, J. T. Gray, E. A. Hamel, J. Mahouey, J. S. M'Cartney, T. Johnston, E Page, E. A. Patterson, A. G. Rigby, M. Scott, W. Thorn, H. T. Trevena, M. Thomson, J. H. Vichers. J. Fleming, W. Hanlin, and the Rev. W. N. Avery; Ladies' Committee—Mesdames A. G. Rigby, W. Jones, J. S. M'Cartney; and F. Fitzgerald, and Misses A. Cable, G. Gallaway. Mr H. Clarke was elected a life member of the society.