TIMARU FLORAL SOCIETY.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13903, 14 May 1909, Page 7

TIMARU FLORAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING. The annual meeting of the Timaru Floral and Horticultural beciety was held in the Borough Council Chambers , last evening, when there was a fair attendance, and the president, Mr J. P. Newman, occupied the chair. The report and balance sheet (already published) were taken, as read. In moving their adoption, the president expressed pleasure at the success of the work of the past year; he also complimented members upon the results of the efforts by the committee, and upon the fact that the Society had made such decided strides forward. The last show was probably the best ever held by the' Society, ahd it was gratifying to it met with the appreciation of the .general public. - He expressed his thanks and that of the public generally to the committee for the arduous work they had put in, when forwarding the interests of the Society. Their labours had been eminently successful, and it .said much for them that they were willing to devote so much of thcirHime and energy to the affairs of the Society. 'Mr Newman paid a high tribute to the late Mr John Lewis, who had ever since the inception of the Society been one of .its most valued members, and; expressed the deep.regret which members felt, at his death. Mr Irwin seconded- the adoption ot the report and balance sheet. He acknowledged the compliments paid .to the committee by the president, and expressed the opinion that it would be difficult to get a more hard working or enthusiastic body of workers to look after the interests of the Society. Mr T D. Young said that the report, taken all through, showed a most satis-facte-rv state of affairs. A great deal of the success of the late show was due to the fine room they had had m which to hold it, and for this, they were, greatlv indebted to their president and the directors of the C:F.C.A., who had placed the building at their disposal. (Hear hear). Mr Young advocated an extension of tho classes for school children, these in his opinion, being the most important feature of the show. Tho last show, he felt safe in saying, was one of the best ever held in the South Island. Mr Young paid a high compliment to the secretary, Mr J. Iv. Macdonald, a better secretary .than whom they could not get. As to holding a two* days' show he had been opposed to this, but after tho success it had proved, ho would withdraw all he had said on that head.

Mr Reswick also spoke in terms of gratification at the success of the late show, and paid a compliment to the chairman of committee (Mr Irwin) for the excellent way in which he had presided over their meetings.

Mr Wallace characterised the. late show as tho best ever held in the Dominion both in regard to quality and quantity; ho had seen a good many shows and had never seen a better. He expressed a hoiio that the time would come when they would have a three days' show in Timaru.

Mr Sealey spoke of tho last show as the best be had seen in an experience extending over 20 years. The exhibits had been ieally excellent and credit was duo to all concerned. He suggested that the Sweet Pea Cup should not be kept for sweet peas exclusively, hut should he given for different flowers each year.

Mr Joyce spoke in favour of a two ilays' show, and advised that no attempt ho made to extend it to three days, as he was confident that if they did, it would end in failure. Mr C S. Howard praised the committee for the excellent work it Ind done suggested an extension of the exhibits for school children, and proposed that instead of • changing the sweet pea cup from flower to flower a* suggested by Mr Sealey, thev should endeavour to get a second cup for some other flower.

Mr Irwin suggested that thev mi-Jit extend their sphere of usefulness uy assisting the Timaru Beautifving Association —a body which had done very valuable work in Timaru, worK which would last probably for all time. He proposed, as a recommendation to the committee, that the Society should give a donation of £3 3s to the Beautifying Association.

Mr Beswick seconded, and the recommendation was unauimouslv adonted. ' l

Mr Sealey, ;is vice-president of the Beautifying -Association, expressed the thanks of the Association for the suggested donation. The report and balance sheet were adopted. The election of officers resulted as follows:—Patrons - Veil. Archdeacon Harper, J. Craigie, C. T. H. Perrv, J Hole, It. H. Rhodes, A. E. G. Rhodes A. S. EI worthy, C. Bowker. T. Langdon, J. .Jackson, and J). MeFarlane. Patronesses —Mesdanies A. S. Elworthv. H. A. LcCren. C. E. Thomas, J. P. Newman. R. H. Rhodes, A. Pigeon, W. H. Foden, W. Gilchrist. \Y. Panton, G. Robinson, T. Stinson. ami .Miss Dryden. President—Mr .J. P. Newman. Vice-presidents—Messrs G. J. Sealey, S. }<\ Sniithsnn. J. Wallace, J. Mair, Messrs A. Beswick. G. E. Knowles, C. S. Howard. A. AVilson. ('. E. .Thomas, and Rev. T. Stinson. Committee Messrs A. eswick, G. E. Knowles, (' A. Schmidt, T. Low. I). M. Edgar, r! Grant, J. A. Macdonald, H. S. Russell, T. D. Young, and G. R. Joyce. Secretary and Treasurer —Mr -T. K. Macdonald (unanimously re-elected with many complimentary references). 'On the motion of Mr Sea Icy, seconded by Mr Schmidt, it was decided to forward to Mrs .J. Lewis a letter expressing the regret of the Society at the loss, through death, of her husband, and expressing also appreciation of his and valuabk services, -