Report of Representative on Council of the Royal N.Z. Institute of Horticulture

Conference. The Institute held its annual conference at Wanganui, on February 13, 1958. In the evening, Mr. W. R. Stevens, of Wanganui, delivered the Banks Lecture on “The Influence on New Zealand of the introduction of South African and Australian Plants”.

Publication. The Institute's journal, “New Zealand Plants and Gardens” is now in its third year. Under the editorship of Mr. G. A. R. Phillips, it has reached and maintained a very high standard, with good articles on a wide range of horticultural topics. It has also changed to a more modern and attractive format. A separate Publication Account has been established. In spite of the allocation of 5/- from each membership subscription and a generous Government grant, the credit balance in this account decreased by £354 during the year, but this was partly due to the coincidence that five quarterly issues came to charge during the financial year. It looks as though the journal can probably be kept financially sound by careful management.

Membership and Finance. During the year ended September 30, 1957, membership increased from 2,102 to 2,205. In the general accounts (excluding the journal), income exceeded expenditure by £155.

Patron. His Excellency the Governoi-General, Lord Cobham, has accepted the office of Patron of the Institute, and the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture, the Hon. G. F. Skinner, the office of Vice-Patron.

International Society of Horticultural Science. The Director-General of Agriculture sought the Institute's views on a proposal that the International Horticultural Congress should establish an international society to foster the exchanges of horticultural information, and the study of specific problems. It was suggested that there be membership by countries and associate membership by societies and individuals. The Institute recommended that New Zealand should become a member, and resolved itself to become an associate member.

Soil Conservation. Some time ago the Dominion Council of the Institute appointed a committee to review the question of soil conservation in New Zealand. The committee collected information from the New Zealand Forest Service, the Department of Lands and Survey, and the Soil Conservation and Rivers Control Council, as well as from a few of the Institute's District Councils. The committee's report was presented to the Annual Conference in February and included the following statement:—

“Probably nowhere in the world are there so many Government Departments and local bodies working so enthusiastically towards a common goal. While there are still some areas of indigenous forest being felled—a matter of regret—the overall picture is one of enlightened conservation and protection, and if maintained, augurs well for the future.”

The report was adopted after much discussion, and it was agreed that no further action by the institute was called for at present.

Timber Milling in the Urewera Country. Some time ago the Institute's attention was drawn to the fact that some milling was going on in this area. Whilst recognising the right of the Maori land owners to exploit the timber growing on their own land, the Institute is anxious that as much of this forest as possible should be preserved. It has therefore been in consultation with appropriate Government agencies, and believes that present plans are working out satisfactorily. The addition of a large area of land to the Urewera National Park by the Government was particularly welcome.

Consultative Committee on Agricultural Education. This committee was set up by the Education Department under the chairmanship of Dr. L. J. Wild. The Institute submitted a statement of views on horticultural education. I do not think the committee's report has appeared to date.

Examinations. I have continued to serve on the Institute's Examining Board, of which I was elected chairman a few months ago. In addition to the National Diplomas in Horticulture and Fruit Culture, and the certificates in various branches of horticulture, the Institute has now been given statutory authority to issue certificates and diplomas in beekeeping, a function not discharged by any other body. Proposals for a scheme of examination are being considered.

The recently revised prescription for the Institute's various examinations were published during the year in the form of an Examination Handbook. The existing Guide to Students is now being revised.

Special Prize Awards. For several years now the Institute has offered two special awards to candidates for the National Diploma in Horticulture. At the 1957 examinations a new award was inaugurated—namely, the David Tannock Memorial Prize. This prize is endowed by a fund (£100) subscribed to commemorate the horticultural work of Mr. David Tannock, O.B.E., A.H.R.H.S., A.H.R.I.H. (N.Z.), who was one of the founders of the Royal N.Z.