Geraldine Floral and Horticultural Society.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3472, 29 July 1899, Page 2

Geraldine Floral and Horticultural Society.

The adjourned annual meeting of the above society was held in the Mechanics’ Institute on Thursday afternoon, when there was a fair attendance of members, rnd the chair was occupied by the President, Colonel Moore.

Colouel Moore opened the meeting with few remarks, pointing out that his prediction had been true, viz., that if the public would only interest themselves in the society its success would bo assured. Last year this had happened. The public had showed some interest in the society, and the result was a moat successful year, financially and otherwise. He trusted that the public would continue to support the socieiy, so that the next show might bo as successful as any of the predecessors. The secretary read the report and balance sheet as follows :

“ The com r.ittse in presenting their annual report a-e very pleased that they are able to present a decidedly more favourable account of the financial position of their association than they were last year. The membership has increased from 174 to 352. I he credit balance has increased from 4> 7d to £5 17s 105. This cm be accounted for in two ways. First, that the attendance on the night of the show was far larger than it has ever been hitherto; and secondly from the fact that the general public are taking a keener interest in the association, ami are becoming more enthusiastic in regard to its objects. The summer show, which was held on January 19,h, was a most successful one. The exhibits of vegetables and fruit were excellent. The cut flowers were perhaps not quite up to their usual stand ml, but as good as could be expected considering the season. Ths produce department, and needle and fancy work, als > contained a large number of exhibits. Altogether there were 97 exhibitors, against 85 last year, and the number of exhibits were 514, being 04 more than last year. Uut of the 97 exhibitors, 85 took prizes, showing that the prizos were very well distributed, and did not fall to the lot of a few members. The above figures show that a great many of our members take a great interest in the actual cultivation of their gardens to grow articles for exhibition, and should encourage us in the future to make Hill greater efforts in aid of the obj lets that the association desires to foster. The committee trust that the members and the public will give a beany and increase. l support to the new committee, and enable them to extend at once iheir prize schedule ami the usefulness of the association. Our best thinks are due to tin's i who generously contributed special prizes, to the ladies who took charge of the refreshment stalls, to the class stewards, and more especially to the judges, v z , Mrs Sere >mbe, Mrs F. H. Barker, Mrs Inwood, and to Messrs Riordan, Soalcy, William*, Nairn, Mai-, and Langdom You will bo asked this afternoon to pass the balance-sheet, and to elect officers for the ensuing year.

“ Walter M. Mooiie June 1, 1809. President.” The balance-sheet showed the receipts to have amounted to £79 4s 9d, including a balance of 4s 7d from the previous year. The principal receipts were : Members’ subscriptions £33 19s 2d, admission £2l 12s 3d, special prizss £l3 16s, refreshments £3 Gi 3d, and guessing competitions £2 Bs. The principal expenditure was ; Priz.-a £44 iOi, rent £'2 17s, printing and advertising £8 Is 31, secretary’s salary £5 ss. The balance to credit is £5 17s lOd.

The report and balance-sheet were adopted. The secretary mentioned that he had bean inconvionced in the past in making up his balance-sheet, through competitors leaving it so late before calling for their prize money. Last year it was mouths after the show before some people called for their prizes. He would move that a rule to bo called Rule 25 be added to the rules as follows ;—“ That all prize money unclaimed within two mouths shall revert to the society.” Mr T. Baughen seconded the resolution, which was carried.

Before proceeding with the election of officers, the president proposed a very hearty vote of thanks to the old committee, through whoso energy much of the success of last year’s show depended. The resolution was seconded by Mr H. W. Moore, and carried.

The election of jfficers resulted as under ; —President, Colouel Moore ; vicepresidents, Messrs P. M. Moore, F. W. Stubbs, J. W. Pye, aud the Rev. A. B. Todd; secretary, Mr L. H. Orbell ; treasurer, Mr W. Thomas ; auditor, Mr T. Twigg ; committee, Messrs J. Keuningtou, J. Pizzsy. H. Baughen, T. Baughen, U. Groves, E. Logau, F. Eaylor, J. Keuuingtou, jur., 13. Howard, and G. O’Neil.

Acting ou tho advice of the judges at the lust show, the chairman moved, and Mr. T. Baugheu seconded—“ That in the case of the competition for cottage gardens, all entries be made not later than September 30fch; that a snb committee of three members be appointed by the committee to visit tho garden s entered periodically in October, November, and December; that at each visit such sub committee shall allot to each garden points for flowers, fruit, vegetables, and general cultivation ; that on show day, after the judges have visited the gardens, the points allotted by the sub-committee be handed to the judges, and added to points given by them, to determine the prize takers.”—The resolution was carried. At the suggestion of the judges of produce, etc , Colonel Moore also moved—- “ That all exhibits in Classes 152, 153, and 155—jam, pickles, and bottled fruit—be handed to tbs secretary not later than October 16th of the year before the date of the show.” This resolution was moved to make sure that tho exhibits in question are 12 months old when entered.

Mr T. Baughen seconded the resolution, aud it was carried.

The chairman explained that Messrs Sutton & Go’s, prize of one guinea’s worth of seed for best collection of vegetables, Gardeners’ Class (10s Gd), and best collection of annuals, Amateurs’ Class (10s OJ), had been divided up into Ist and 2nd prizes of 7s and 3s 6d, which necessitated the seed being divided amongst the prizj takers, and it was not a satisfactory thing to carry out. Ho thought the secretary should be appointed to devide the seed, or the whole prize, 10s (Id worth of seed, be given as a first prize and the society give a second out of its funds. The secretary said that as the 10s 6d worth of seed came packed in an air-tight tin, it would give more satisfaction to give it as one priz\

This suggestion was agreed to as an instruction to the committee in drawing up the schedule. Votes of thanks were passed to the president, the secretary, and the treasurer, and the meeting terminated, the committee agreeing to meet on Monday evening next, to allot subscription books and make araugemeuts for getting out the schedule as early as possible.

The s.s. Wairoa brought to Wellington 69 barrels of whale oil from Tory Channel, where Jackson and party have captured four whales, two of which they have still to try out. A Masonic Institute has been formed at Wellington, embracing all the local lodges. 120 members and a number of life members have been enrolled.