GERALDINE FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Temuka Leader, Issue 3539, 25 January 1900, Page 2

GERALDINE FLORAL AND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

TO THE EDITOR. Sir, —I was, unfortunately, unable to be present at the show of the above society, held on the 18th ult., but have heard a good deal since that date about the disgraceful thefts of flowers, fruit, etc., committed by some of the public at the close of the show. I had ten boxes of flowers there myself, and every flower was, I believe, stolen before the boxes could be collected. I have also seen a letter in your issue of Tuesday last, signed “ itegret,” stating that a lady had the whole of her table decoration, vases included, taken away. This is most disgraceful, and I need hardly say that the committee deeply regret that such things should take place. It means that, if continued, either the show must be given up or some strong measures taken to prevent loss to tho exhibitors. The latter will not be content to send the best that their gardens and their skill can produce, and then to see their exhibits carried away by people who have no right to them without their leave being asked. It may be said: Why do not the committee make better arrangements and look more closely after the exhibits ? Simply because we have not sufficient room. Large as the Drill Shed may be, there is little available space when full of tables containing the exhibits and when the public attend at night the crush is so unusually great that the committee cannot see what is going on and cannot get about to look after things as they would like to do. Then again, many of the exhibitors have friends whom they wish to give some of their exhibits at the close of the show, and it is not always wr possible to say, when you see exhibits ■ being taken, whether they are being stolen or being taken by friends to whom they have been given, more especially as those who steal are generally also not particular as to their veracity. In conclusion I desire, on behalf of the committee, to express to those exhibitors who have suffered from these depredations our very great regret, and also to give them an assurance that at future shows all possible means will be taken to prevent such scenes occurring again. I also desire to give a warning to those of the public who commit these offences, that in future any person, male or female, who may be seen taking away exhibits that do not belong to them will most certainly have to appear before “His Worship” at the next Court day to answer for their actions. If the Geraldine public have not sufficient respect for themselves or for the good name of their town to behave decently, and in order, strong measures must be taken.—lam, etc., Walter M. Moore, President Geraldine Floral and . Horticultural Society.