BETTER GARDENS

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 74, Issue 279, 25 November 1931, Page 11

BETTER GARDENS

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY THE ANNUAL REPORT. “It is very gratifying to your executive to bo able to report, that, although 1 the first year of the society under the new name and constitution has coincided with tho most severe depression in tho history of Wanganui and district, it has been a year of steady pro- ' gross and gradual development on sound lines,” states the annual report of the Wanganui Suburban Horticul- ; tural Society, to be presented at the . annual meeting on Thursday evening, . at the Dublin Street Mef’Hpdist school- . room. “By splendid co-operation on the part of tho ladies and gentlemen’s comj mittees, coupled with careful manage- ■ ment and devoted service, the assets in ■ the shape of plant and show trophies r have been materially increased. The r sum for plant which figures in tho bal- > ancc-sheet, is with the exception of £5, for material only. Several working > bees were held during tho year, roprot senting labour worth at least double I the amount spent on timber and other > material. “The year began with a small credit I balance of £1 Gs lid, and ended with ' a credit of £2G 2s Bd. Total receipts '* for tho yoai* were £IGS Gs, and the. e\3 penditure £139 3s 4d. During tho year, ‘ by means of a shop day, stalls and com- , petitions, the ladies* committee raised a considerable sum for the funds of the > society. I “The membership shows a slight increase; but, not in proportion to the growing reputation of the society, and the increasing popularity and undoubted excellence of the shows. This ’ probably is duo to financial stringency, , and when the economic situation imj proves wo may look for a more rapid , increase in this respect. “Tho Chrysanthemum Chib, which is , doing very useful work in instructing growers in tho art. of cultivating that. - popular Oriental flower, originated in . our society. Tn addition to leeturettos . on chrysanthemum culture, talks have . been given on the cultivation of other I : | blooms (notably gladioli), so that al-I • though tho club is not in affiliation with any horticultural society, your executive recognises that it is render- I ' ing effective service, calculated to foster a love of horticulture, and to increase tho number of c. hibitors at the shows. Arrangements are being made to revive tho cottage garden competition; and it is intended to stage a show at Gonville on December 17 and an exhibition of asters and other son sonal blooms at Wanganui East during

March. The gladioli show last Janu ary hold in the Drill Hall, was well supported by exhibitors, and the attendance on tho opening day was good. However, owing to very heavy rain on the second day, the income did not. quite meet expenditure. By the good offices of our president, we were able to stage the autumn show in Therklcson’s Buildings in the Avenue; an ideal place for such a show. Ono of the, finest displays ever seen in the city resulted and the attendance of the public was the best wo. have had at. any time. “The wonderful results achieved at tho spring show will be frosh in tho minds of all. The quality of the narcissi exhibited, and the entrancing artistry displayed in the decorative classes, delighted all who visited the hall. It must have been highly satisfactory to all members to find that we have reached a stage when the best exhibitors are attracted; and augers well for tho future progress of the society. We wish to express our special thanks to tho Press for publicity given to our activities, to all donors of trophies, and cash for special prizes, and to the ladies’ committee for their hearty cooperation and generous support, and to the judges for their able assistance. Tho officers and members of the executive have done their best in the interests of the society, and while thanking members for the confidence reposed in them, trust that tho incoming executive may have a very happy year of office, and the society a time of increasing prosperity.”