HUMIC COMPOST CLUB

Southland Times, Issue 25680, 24 May 1945, Page 7

HUMIC COMPOST CLUB

ANNUAL MEETING OF MEMBERS The activities of the first year of the Southland Humic Compost Club were reviewed at the annual meeting of the club last night. There was an attendance of 25 members, Mr L. H. Orbell (vice-president) presiding. The report of the year’s work, as outlined by Mr D. W. Stalker, revealed that there were 213 members, 95 of whom had been enrolled since the club held its first annual meeting in April of last year. Several demonstrations of how to build a compost heap had been given in Invercargill and Otautau, and all had . proved interesting and instructive; meetings had been held and lectures and addresses had been given. The demonstrations had been arranged so that new members could proceed the correct way in the building of their compost heaps. Good as that work of the club had been, however, it had been costly from a financial point of view—advertising had cost £l6—and as the club’s revenue was not a large one the matter of future demonstrations would have to be approached economically. Some of the beginners had not had success with their heaps, but the results generally had been very good. DELIVERY OF MANURE The club had made representations about the procuring of animal manure, continued Mr Stalker, and it was hoped that the fresh manure from the freezing works would be made available to members. If it was available he suggested that a systematic street by street apportionment should be carried out; by that means every memberwould be assured of a certain quantity. The cartage would cost something, but he thought members would not object to paying for the delivery of the manure.

Referring to the financial position of the club, Mr Stalker said that the expenses had not been heavy, but the small subscription did not provide for much in the way of additional expenditure if it were necessary. The club had assets, but its liabilities exceeded them by 15/1. He appealed to members to double the membership of 213—it should easily be done—and with a membership of 400 or more the club would be able to develop its work and dispense more benefit in the way of demonstrations and literature.

The report and balance sheet were adopted and the following officers for the year were elected:—President, Mr L. H. Orbell; vice-presidents, Messrs C. C. Lange and F. Rose; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr D. W. Stalker; committee, Messrs A. Jordan, A. C. Millar, J. Bryson, R. Whyte, W*. Pay, G. Gifford, C. Hayes, C. Todd and T. Rae; auditor, Mr C. W. Francis. A general discussion on personal experiences with compost building followed, and arrangements for the new season made.