HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXIX, Issue 137, 2 August 1911, Page 5

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Horticultural Society was hold in the A. and P. Association’s rooms last night, a fair number of members being present. Mr. R. McK. Morison (president) occupied the chair. Rojo:! and Balance-Sheet. In speaking to tho report and bal-ance-sheet, a digest of which has already been published, tho Chairman said" his work as president had always been a pleasure to him because of the hearty and willing support of all members. The services of Mrs. Arden were worthy of more than passing reference. She had done a great deal of work, the value of which could hardly bo estimated. Mr. Wcstbury’s action in coming to Stratford from Lower Hutt and donating Ins prizemen ov to the society was also worthy of the greatest praise. Mr. Cato, the secretary, had also done a great deal of work—in fact, had run the whole show. Ho would suggest that the services of tho secretary should be mentioned in the annual report. If there wore any funds in hand lie was sure tho society would vote him a handsome sura. Mr. Cato was, undoubtedly, the right man in the right place. ‘ Mr. Arden also paid a ■ tribute to the valuable services of tho secretary to the society. Tho report and balance-sheet were adopted. Election of Officers.

The following officers wore elected : Patrons: Messrs. J. B. Hine, Joseph McCluggage, P. F. Ralfo, A. W. Reid, R. Spence, J. Masters, W. H. H. Young; president, Mr. T. Reader; vice-presidents, Mesdamos Marchant, Birss, Arden, and Petrie, and Messrs Morison. Westbury, Thomson. Stanton, Arden, Don , Cameron, Hollard, Henry, Lees. Sandford, C. Goodson, Petrie, and Richards, and Drs. Carb#ry and Steven; auditor, Mr. P. Skoglund; ladies’ committee, Mesdam'cs Render (convenor), BTrss. Aaganrd, Petrie. Reader. Mackay, James, Arden. Morison, Riora, and Hobbs, and Miss Dingle; general committee, Messrs. Burgess. Thomson, A. Snence, Marchant, Morison, Bond, G. T. •Tames, F. Davis, Bosley, Wilkie, James. Ward. Don Cameron, and S. Reader; secretary, Mr. W. S. Cato, assistant secretary, Mr. C. Reader. The Year’s Shows, Mr. Arden moved that tho Rose Show he dropped. At present there were too many agricultural shows to make a success of the rose show. Tho motion was carried without discussion. , , , „ . The Chairman moved that the Spring Show be held on September 28th—a week after the show at Kaponga. This was agreed to. Mr. Ward proposed that the autumn show ho hold in the first week in February. He thought that in the past they had been making the date too late. Mr. Davis moved as an amendment that the show bo hold as near February 15th as possible. Mr. Ward pointed out that the proposed date would probably clash with the races at New Plymouth. Mr. Davis favoured a later date. He said the vegetables had to bo considered. The matter was finally left to the committee to decide. . Professional Exhibits.

Mr. Morison asked for an expression of opinion from the meeting as to his position regarding to snowing in apiateur classes. He offered to make entries in all classes, for tlie purpose of increasing the size of the snow, and not to take any prize money he might win... 1 ' After members had discussed the matter at some length Mr Ward moved that entries be strictly confined to amateurs in all classes for amateurs. He thought the Society would be weakened if professionals wore allowed to compete in amateur classes. The motion was carried unanimously- / Now Members. The following new members were, elected:—Dr. Steven and Messrs. P. Thomson, Staples, Stanton, D. Everiss, A. Spence, and H. Beere. Votes of Thanks. Votes of thanks were passed to the secretary, the A. and P. Association, and all retiring officers.