A SMALL LOSS

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIV, Issue 21062, 14 June 1938, Page 9

A SMALL LOSS

Horticultural Society’s Year Committee’s Annual Report The annual report of the committee of the Timaru Horticultural Society is as follows: The year has been a particularly trying one from the point of view of weather conditions and, in fact, it was found advisable to abandon the autumn show. Weather conditions were such that the other three shows were approached with a little diffidence, but it is pleasing to report that these exhibitions worthily upheld the high standard set in other years. The volume of entries was not so high as in recent years, but the standard of the blooms exhibited was a tribute to our ! exhibiting members. Competition at all shows was well maintained, and the judges were set difficult tasks, particularly in the cup classes. The Society’s reputation for the high standard of i’s decorative classes was also maintained and very even competition was evident throughout the year. The Beverley Cup competition was the means of bringing added interest to the vegetable competitions which were evenly contested, although, as is the case in the fruit sections, the committee would like to see a larger number of competitors. Garden Competition The Society’s three competitions were again conducted, and every effort was expended in endeavouring to secure healthy competition in each class, but the committee regrets to report that a full measure of support was not forthcoming. While in no way detracting from the merit of the gardens entered, which actually were of a high standard, it is felt that the competitions do not receive the impetus that wider competition would ensure. The Society’s activities in these competitions is, perhaps the only community effort intended to stimulate interest in attractive gardens in the town, and the committee has felt for some years that the due support is not forthcoming. Hurdley Shield The Arowhenua Native School was the winner of this competition which is conducted under the auspices of the Education Board for the best school garden in South Canterbury. Financial The accumulated fund of the Society now stands at £99/3/8, as against £lO3/13/5 the previous year. The income and expenditure account reveals a loss of £4/9/9 on the year’s working, as against an excess of income the previous year of £lO 4 7. Members’ subscriptions totalled £lO9/2/-, a decrease of £6/2/-. Depreciation totalling £7/18/8 was written off the Society’s assets, which show in the books at £lB. a figure considerably below their true value. Chrysanthemum Circle Your committee desires to again record its appreciation of the work of the circle in maintaining and increasing the interest of members to the culture of the chrysanthemum. The activity of the Circle is evidenced by the number of entrants in the chrysanthemum show. Mr T. H. McDonald, a newcomer to the culture, competed with conspicuous success at the Dunedin Show, besides taking the honours at the local show. Cup Winners The congratulations of the Society are extended to the winners of the Society’s Cups, as follows: The J. P. Newman Challenge Cup for Narcissi at Spring Show—Mrs Orford. I The J. S. Gibson Memorial Cup for Hardy Cut Flowers, at Autumn Show— Mrs G. E. Knowles. The P. A. Elworthy Challenge Cup for Roses at Summer Show—Mrs H. W. Monaghan. The H. J. Mathews Cup for most points in decorative classes in three shows—Mrs E. S. Elworthy. The Geo. Bowker Challenge Cup—L. B. Pearson. The Mrs R. H. Rhodes Challenge Cup—Mrs H. Barker. The A. S. Jones Cottage Garden Cup <C competition)—Mr Glenville. The Mrs Wm. C. Burns Challenge Cup for Chrysanthemums—T. Segar. Mrs A. Grant’s Challenge Cup for Shrubs in Spring Show—J. Moody. Mrs Edgar Jones’s Challenge Cup for Single Roses at Summer Show—Mrs C. H. S. Johnstone. The Mrs W. W. Cartwright Memorial Cup for Sweet Peas—L. E. Rendall. The Society’s Challenge Cup for Cottage Garden B competition—Mrs W. S. Blaikie. Mr D. Brett Shand’s Challenge Cup for Japanese Chrysanthemums—T. H. McDonald. The Beverley Challenge Cup for most points in vegetable section during year —H. S. Smith. Mrs F. Barker’s special prize £l/1/for most points in cut flowers during the year—A. S. Jones. Thanks The thanks of the Society are extended to those members who by their help and co-operation have made a successful year possible, and who were responsible for the successful functioning of the Society’s activities. The Society owes a debt of gratitude to the innumerable exhibitors, who, show after show, expend so much effort in entering their blooms, fruit and vegetables, thus ensuring the success of the shows. To donors of special prizes, thanks are again expressed, and we desire to make particular reference to the Timaru newspapers for the comprehensive reports of the Society’s activities on all occasions. We are also indebted to the various judges who so willingly placed their services at the disposal of the Society, and to the hon. auditor Mr F. E. Duncan, for his services. Finally, we desire to thank the Timaru Borough Council for the displays by the Park and Reserves Department at each show, and to the other enthusiasts who favoured us witn exhibitions of non-scheduled classes. These displays, were in no small measure, responsible for the success of the exhibitions.