INCREASE IN MEMBERS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20230, 25 June 1937, Page 9

INCREASE IN MEMBERS.

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. SUCCESSFUL snows. THE YEAR REVIEWED. “Our list of members has increased considerably, but we arc still a long way short of the numbers that the society should have in such a large . and progressive town as Hamilton, particularly in view of the fact that climatic and soil conditions are so eminently suitable for horticultural activities,” states the president, Mr A. W. Ward, in his annual report, which will be presented to the annual meet- ( ing of the Hamilton Horticultural Society on Monday. Better facilities had been provided ; exhibitors for their displays, .and the i ; thanks of the society were due to j; those who had rendered it such vain- j , able support. Four shows were held ! during the season, the total class j j entries being 792, against 635 for the | The spring show' was opened by i His Worship the Mayor, Mr J. R. Fow, | before a large attendance. There was | an excellent display of daffodils, com- j petition being very keen throughout, i This year Hamilton was the venue for | Hip Auckland Provincial Cup competi- | lion. The Winners. The principal winners at fids show were: Auckland Provincial Cup, W. Dauby; Hamilton Daffodil Cup. W. | Dauby; Mrs Mien I’.rlPs Iropliv. Mrs ! . do Lacey; MacDiannid Cup, W. J. I Brown. The summer show was opened by J V tiie late Mr E. Phillips-Turner. Com- ; petition was only fair for roses, but i the decorative and cut flower classes i . were excellent. The Minister of Agriculture, the j 1 Hon. W. Lee Martin, opened the , autumn -show to a particularly large gathering. There was a verv large entry of dahlias, and i! was particu • , larly gratifying that in one of the novice classes there were rio fewer than 2J entries an excellent augury ' for the future. Cut flowers and decorative classes were strongly re- I presented, and this -show, which ex- ! c

tended for two (lays, stood out as being one of the most successful in the history of the society. The chrysanthemum show was opened by Mr E. T. Hickson, president of the Auckland. Horticultural Society. Despite the unfavourable season some splendid blooms were staged and competition throughout was keen. As it was Coronation year a special class for Coronation designs was instituted and created wide interest, some of the entries being of outstanding merit. The Girl Guides also staged a very interesting display. Donations to Boclety. The committee was very grateful to ( all those who made donations to the society. A feature of all the shows was the wonderful display of cut flowers and decorative work staged for exhibition only by members of the gardening circle of the Waikato Lyceum Club, which to a very great degree assisted in making the shows so successful. A special meeting of dahlia enthusi- ! asts was convened, with the result j that t lie National Dahlia Society of ! New Zealand was formed, one of the | members of the Hamilton Society, Mr H. M. Hammond, being elected chaJr- , man of Hie committee formed to further the project.