HORTICULTURE

Southland Times, Issue 22041, 14 June 1933, Page 3

HORTICULTURE

NEW ZEALAND INSTITUTE. SOUTHLAND BRANCH’S REPORT. The annual report of the Southland Branch of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture states: — During the year kinder review the executive met on four occasions to deal with the work of the local branch. A great deal of correspondence has been dealt with and all. local matters have had the careful attention of the executive. The financial situation has prevented the council from undertaking any scheme to increase the membership, but immediately conditions improve it is hoped to increase the membership with a consequential enlargement of the institute’s activities. The executive greatly appreciates the loyal support accorded by the members. At the annual meeting on June 29, 1932, lectures were given by Messrs J. A. McPherson and G. Jaquiery on “The Work of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew,” and “Ramblings of a Southland Naturalist,” respectively. These lectures were followed with the greatest interest by members and the speakers were accorded a hearty vote of thanks. During the year Mr J. A. McPherson, who was responsible for the formation of the Southland branch of the

[institute, was appointed curator of the Botanic Gardens at Christchurch. Mr McPherson devoted a great deal of time and energy to the interests of the institute and members are under a great debt of gratitude to him. The District Council associated itself with the committee that organized the farewell to Mr McPherson and all members were invited to attend this function. During the year the council welcomed Mr Brendan P. Mansfield, Mr McPherson’s successor. Mr Mansfield was appointed to the vacancy on the council occasioned by Mr McPherson’s retirement. The horticultural classes at the Technical College were discontinued early this year owing to the numbers of the pupils falling below the minimum pre-, scribed by the department. Mr Mansfield interested himself in the matter and has been successful in having the class reinstated by securing sufficient pupils to comply with the department’s requirements. In some cases it was found that intending pupils could not pay their fees owing to their parents being unemployed. In approved cases the feer will be arranged for by the council. Dr. J. G. Macdonald has acted as the district council's representative on the Southland League during the past year. The council is always alert for every apportunity to assist, in proper cases, in the preservation of indigenous flora. On learning that cattle were grazing

in the Upper Hollyford Valley apparently by right of a license granted by the Lands Department, a strong protest was made for the Dominion secretary to take the matter up with the Under-Secretary of Lands. Advice has now been received that certain temporary grazing rights are being allowed to expire and it is hoped that there will be no further damage to the interesting flora of the valley. The National Rose Society has the unanimous and hearty support of the institute, and it is hoped at an early date to form a branch in Southland. The annual conference of the institute was held in Wellington on January 25, 1933. Finance precluded representation from Southland. It being noted that there are no classes for indigenous plants at local shows, the council has arranged for the Invercargill Garden Club to include such classes in the schedule for its Summer show, and has donated a prize for the winner of such class. The balance sheet showed a bank balance of £1 13/5.