Southland Horticultural society.

Southland Times, Issue 10201, 6 July 1889, Page 3

Southland Horticultural society.

The adjourned annual meeting of this Society was held in the Ythan street hall yesterday evening, about twenty members being present, and Mr J. P. Joyce presiding. The Secretary (Air E. Wilson) read the annual report, which was as follows ; — In presenting their report for the year just ended, your committee have to express regret that the operations of the Society were somewhat circumscribed by the unfavourable weather both at the commencement and close of the season. The Spring show which, it |/vvas confidently anticipated would surpass the previous one, bad to be abandoned owing to the occurrence of unprecedented ly severe weather. This was a great disappointment to many growers, and we venture to suggest to the Society the ailvisableness of continuing its efforts in the same direction. The Midsummer show, making allowance for the backwardness of the season, reached a high standard of excellence, the exhibits, roses especially, being tabled in good numbers and in fair condition. In the vegetable department there were many exhibits of high quality, while fruits, although in some cases immature, gave evidence not only of careful and successful cultivation, but of the adaptability of Southland for producing the fruits specially belonging to early summer. The greenhouse plants evidenced the possession of great cultural skill on the pare of the growers, both professional and amateur, and left no doubt that a taste for this interesting branch of horticulture is gradually but surely extending. The Autumn show, while, generally speaking, up to the average, was specially representative in pot plants, the beauty and variety of which were beyond any thing achieved in previous years. The fruits were less satisfactory, never having recovered from the blighting influence of the cold winds that prevailed during the earlier stages of their growth. The vegetables, with the exception of potatoes, were less numerously exhibited than usual, the potatoes, however, make amends by soundness, size and variety, some of the new kinds giving promise of becoming useful additions to those in ordinary cultivation. The chrysanthemum show occasioned yoitr committee some anxiety ; it being feared as the time approached for it that there would be a very inadequate display. A special sub-committee was appointed, and as the result of their inquiries a.nong growers it was eventually decided that it should be held, the importance of keeping faith with the public being also a strong factor in their decision. The result was on the whole satisfactory, for although there was not the competition that could be desired the flowers shown included examples of the latest development of a flower that appears to have infinite capabilities of modification both in form and colour. Financially, the Society's operations have been fairly successful, beginning the year with a debit balance of*L4 Ss they close with 4s 5d still on the wrong side. The amount raised by members' subscriptions, proceeds of shows, &c. , was LIOO 6s 9d, and the prize money and expenses amounted to LIOO 11s 2d. There can be no doubt that with better times, which may be confidently looked for, an accession of strength to the Society will ensue. All that is needed is the cordial cooperation of members, the public on their part having shown a desire to support liberally an institution admittedly of great value both from social and economic points of view. In conclusion, your committee tako this opportunity of expressing their thanks to the members of the Garrison Band for

the services they so kindly rendered at the chrysanthemum show. The adoption of the report and balancesheet, the latter having been read by the Treasurer, Mr J. H. Kingsland, was moved by Mr C. G. Challis and seconded by Mr Jas. Anderson. The Chairman said he thought the Society had cause for congratulation on their operations during the past year. Although they had not a credit balance, the fact that they had reduced the debit was creditable to all concerned. Comparing the balance-sheet with that of the Duneclin Society he pointed out that in the more northern city the expenses in connection with a L4OO show had been over L2OO (exclusive of prize money), and that the Society had been compelled to transfer LSO from their reserve fund. These facts proved that the Dunedin Society had suffered from the same causes as the Southland one, and further that they had not exercised the same careful economy in the matter of expenditure. Mr J. T. Martin said the balance-sheet could not be taken as indicating a depi--ea&« of interest in the Society, but merelj as showing some' of the effects of the general depression. He thought the result of the year's operations were, under the circumstances, most gratifying. A motion by Mr James Stewart to the effect that it was advisable to increase the number of the committee was negatived, members generally expressing the opinion that the existing rule should not be altered, at least till next annual'meeting. Votes of thanks were accorded the treasurer, the auditor '(Mr W. B. Scandrett), Mr J. T. Martin (for his kindness in finding storage room for the Society's plant, &c), the trustees of the hall in which the Society held its meetings, and the retiring officebearers.