TIMARU FLORAL SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume LXIV, Issue 3625, 22 August 1901, Page 3

TIMARU FLORAL SOCIETY.

~ «> . ... A committee meeting of the Timaru Floral and Horticultural Society was held in the Arcade Chambers last evening. Presents-Messrs J. S. Gibson (president, in the chair), W. G. Irwin, R. McQueen, C. Morgan, E. Hassell,"J. Rothwell, J. Crosbie, J. Mair, A. Blackmore, A. Wilson, G. Knowles, and R. Morgan. Apologies were received from Messrs F. Smith, T. Harney, A. Beswick, and P. Allen. Correspondence, was taken as read relating to matters dealt with at the conference in Dunedin. The Kaiapoi Company wrote askingj to be excused from giving a donation this year. The Agricultural Department wrote, requesting information re number of members of the society, and particulars cf registration, etc. It was resolved to advertise for entries for the cottage garden competition. , A sub-committee recommended the following conditions of judging:—By quality and effect of flowers, shrubs, and grass; condition and quality of fruit trees and vegetables. After discussion the recommendations were adopted unanimously, and Messrs H. Thomas (Claremont) and Atkinson (Timaru) were appointed judges. The same gentlemen were appointed to judge' the villa gardens. Mr Knowles, the society's delegate to the Dunedin conference, reported that the medal awarded as third prize for collection of fruit to Mr Butcher, of Timaru, had been received and handed to the winner! The Dunedin Society deserved to be con- I gratulated on the success of the conference, the members being most earnest and enthusiastic. A large number of papers were contributed by competent gentlemen, and were discussed with great advantage by ' the delegates. Mr Knowles thought that a conference committee should be set up to select the papers most important and suitable for discussion, as it was imposI sible to wade through the number presen--1 ted in the short time available. The papers should be printed and forwarded to societies before the conference takes place, so that the delegates may be instructed on different matters. Fifty-six societies were represented, most of the delegates having fruit-growing interests. The first day of the conference was taken up with a discussion on the codlin moth-,- -a pest which is very prevalent in the North Island, though it has not yet appeared . down south. The question of asking the Government to introduce an Orchard Pests Bill was discussed, and it was resolved that the Government be approached,'and a committee . was appointed to draw up a Bill to: present to Parliament: -'Mr Knowles mentioned a case: of, phylloxera, where the, Government destroyed two-acres of affected, wines* and then another two acres of uninfected and no compensation was allowed! * Orchard growers must keep their trees clean, or the Government would clean them, and charge, the owner for the service. , A motion was carried that it was desirable that a Royal Horticultural Society of New Zealand should be formed. Mr Peart, Government Biologist, had' informed him that some experts would probably be ; sent to Timaru in a few months to give any assistance to the society, and that the society would be registered. The delegates had a very good time in Dunedin, and were most kindly treated. A vote of thanks was passed to Mr Knowles for his services as delegate. • It was resolved to hold the next meeting on Wednesday, 18th September.