GARDEN NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2669, 10 May 1905, Page 10

GARDEN NOTES.

THE DUNEDIN HratTICULTURAIi . -SOCIETY, t It. does nofc fall to tba lot of many of fur philanthropic societies to briag out euoli A satisfactory report and balance sheet as V'as presented to the Dunedin Horticultural Society for the past year by the president, Mr J. H. Nimmo. Indeed, it is one of the anost satisfactory that has ever bee?> presented. Ag has previously been noticed, thJ6~is one of the oldest societies in Otago,

having come into existence before the province attained to the dignity of the name, its birth record showing when the more modest name of "Settlement" was claimed. Few of the settlers now siirvive, and fe-wer still are capable of moving about with activity.

The Dunedin Horticultural Society has come through many vicissitudes of fortune, at one time poising in the zenith of public favour, at others depressed almost to the point of extinction. The highest point attained was its €pring tide of success on the occasion of the visit of his Royal Highness the' Duke- of Edinburgh, previous to which a very low ebb of interest and finance^ was reached, almost approaching to a, moribund condition ; a few of the old members, however, holding the opinion that now was the chance of taking the tide at its flood-, whioh might lead to fortune, and. assuredly they were rig>ht, at anyrate for the time being. Among the more prominent were Messrs Beverly, Purdie, Ewan, Wilson, Ritchie, Gebbie, Begg, Reid, Allan, and a number of others. The president of the society for the 'time being was Mr Geo. Matthews, a staid, calculating Scot, ■who would not be enthused unless a prospect of success could be assured. His lack of . enthusiasm was overcome, and hearty cooperation secured by a deposit of £20 in the bands of the treasurer, with the assurance of the amount being doubled to prevent any loss or deficiency. With Learty goodwill the «a^se was npw entered on by everyone, all doing their level best J:o secure a triumph, and on the opening day of the show the capacious hall of the then University Buildings (afterwards the Colonial Bank) was filled wibh a splentuu galaxy of beauty and skill in fronds, foliage, flowers, and fruit well worthy of the occasion which called it forth. The reception by the public of his Royal Highness was also -v&ry flattering, the ladies appearing in -their gayest apparel. The Royal Duke, who knew so well how to do it, appreciated the gifts of single flowers or sprays from the hands of the fair donors, Teoeiving them wibh a bland smile, and giving a -return, with the promise of bothbeing kept in enduring remembrance. No oiie was " more satisfied with the spectacle - and success of the venture than the worthy president. At the opening his face, bore an expression of care and anxiety to have everything in its right place and properly staged. - On the entrance of the Duke, by his marshal, the Hon. Vincent Pyke, the crowded audience gave him 'an enthusiastic welcome, whioh he gratefully reciprocated, and the President, on receiving and welcoming him with a few appropriate words gave him a hand bouquet of the choicest flowers, which were afterwards distributed and appreciated by the recipients. Mr Matthews fet elated wifch the success of the undertaking, and in the evening, in committee, when the net profits were shown to_amount to over £45, he became almost exuberant in his expression of pleasure. We are, however, done with by-gone days, and the stern realities of the present must be dealt with.

The report and balance sheet of the society are in the highest degree satisfactory, and the latter, the balance or cash, being most important, receives first attention. The total assets for the year amount to £441 9s 6d.

The report speaks very flatteringly oT the proceedings for the year 1904-5. Compared with previous years they were much more satisfactory. Several details regarding the differenit shows are givem, the most prominent being that of admitting local societies to stage their individual contributions apart from general entries. This great benefit was taken advantage of only by the Taieri, but it is hoped the example- will be followed by others. This feature is on the same lines as the county courts of the Agricultural and Pastoral Society, the most attractive of all their displays.

The oommitee strongly impress upon members -to do their best to increase their ntimhecTs, as an assured • source of income, ,whioh looks ratiher anomalous, considering from the statement that the amount in arrears from subscriptions constitutes the largest debt owing to the society, a large amount of which will prove unrecoverable, and ehould be wiped out rather than kept to bolster the balance sheet up as a 'possible asset.

We are glad to notice from the report of the annual meeting ''that a fixed date for eaoh of the shows ha-5 been, determined on, rather than leaving it to the whim or caprice of the weather or committee to fix the precise date. This arrangement places all districts of the pi'ovince on the same footing, and is consonant with the invitation for local bodies', if not to affiliate, at least to co-operate with fclie central.

—I. M. I.