January 31, 1903. 
THE GARDENING WORLD 
101 
Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution, 
The sixty-fourth annual general meeting of the members and 
subscribers of the above institution was held at “ Simpson’s,” 
101, Strand, London, on the 22nd inst., Mr. Harry J. Veitcli 
in the chair. After the secretary had read the minutes of last 
year’s meeting and the report and balance-sheet, the chairman 
rose to propose the adoption of the report. All things con¬ 
sidered, they had reason to be satisfied, he said, with the 
report, which was an excellent one. Last year was the first 
time on record when the institution had more than 200 pen¬ 
sioners on its list, for whose support they paid rather more 
than £3,500. The list was swelled considerably owing to 
the unsuccessful candidates of last year’ having been placed 
on the list in commemoration of their Majesties the King and 
Queen’s Coronation. The Good Samaritan Fund and the 
Victorian Era Fund proved mere and more serviceable every 
year. -They were much indebted to the auxiliary branches for 
the assistance they had rendered. 
Last year, on the occasion of the Lose Show at Holland 
House, Lord Ilchester opened his gardens to the public at a 
certain charge per head, the proceedings to be divided between 
the Gardeners’ Royal Benevolent Institution and the Royal 
Gardeners’ Orphan Fund. This was very successful, and he 
was pleased to say that their share of the gate-money was £113. 
Lord Ilchester again offers to open his gardens this year in 
the same way. 
The alterations in the new rules were working harmoniously, 
though they had not altered the rules too soon to meet the 
various exigencies under the old regime. 
Their solicitor, the late Thomas F. Peacock, Esq., F.S.A., 
had been of great service to the institution, and they greatly 
deplored his loss, Mr. W. A. Bilney had offered to take his 
place as honorary solicitor. 
At this point he read a letter from N. N. Sherwood, Esq., 
V.M.H., one of the trustees. The contents of this letter were 
as follows : —“ I anl grieved to see so many applicants for the 
pension this year who cannot possibly be elected. I read with 
great interest the letter in the ‘Chronicle’ of last Saturday, 
and I wish to give each of the unsuccessful candidates who 
have been subscribers the sum of £5. I do this with great 
pleasure as a thank-offering for my recent recovery from my 
illness.” Needless to say, the report was unanimously 
adopted. 
Report .of the Committee for 1902. 
The committee have the pleasure to submit their annual report 
and statement of accounts, as audited, for the year 1902. They 
are thankful to be able again to congratulate the members and 
subscribers of the institution on its satisfactory condition, and 
the continued progress it has made, as evidenced by the increased 
benefits they have been able to dispense to those who, through 
misfortune, declining years, and other causes, have been forced 
to seek its aid. 
At the commencement of the year 190 persons—103 men and 
eighty-seven widows—were each receiving £20 and £16 a year 
respectively, entailing an annual liability of £J>452. During the 
year seventeen of that number died—seven men and ten widows. 
Three of the men left widows, whose circumstances, after careful 
investigation, proved to be of such a nature as to warrant their 
being placed on the funds for the widow’s pension of £16 a year, 
in accordance with the powers conferred on the committee under 
Rule III. 13, thus leaving at the close of the year 176 persons 
in receipt of permanent aid. The committee propose to increase 
this number by recommending for election this day fifteen candi¬ 
dates from a list of forty-six applicants, and also to ask the 
subscribers to confirm their action, graciously approved by their 
President, H.R.H. the Prince of Wales, in placing on the funds 
without election all those of the unsuccessfiil candidates—eleven 
in number—at the last election who had previously been sub¬ 
scribers to the institution, to commemorate the Coronation of 
their Majesties the King and Queen, patrons of the institution, 
and as a thank-offering for the recovery of the King from his 
Majesty’s recent severe illness. The total number of pensioners, 
therefore, on the funds will be 202 , twelve more than on the cor¬ 
responding date last year, and the largest number at any period 
in the history of the institution. Whilst fully cognisant of the 
increased liability thus incurred, the committee feel they will 
have the practical sympathy and support of every friend and 
well-wisher of the charity in their forward policy of assisting 
more of the unfortunate people whose cases plead with such 
pathetic urgency, and they strongly appeal to all their friends not 
to relax their efforts on behalf of this old and well tried work, 
which for sixty-four years has done so much for disabled and 
decayed horticulturists, or their widows, in their time of need. 
The committee are glad to be able to report that the anniversary 
festival dinner, which was held in May last, under the presidency 
of his Grace the Duke of Marlborough, K.G., proved most 
successful, and they desire to place on record their very gratefid 
thanks to his Grace for his able and convincing advocacy of the 
claims of the institution, which brought such a substantial addi¬ 
tion to its funds. The committee also express most gladly their 
indebtedness to the stewards, collectors, donors of flowers, the 
horticultural Press, and to other helpers, whose kind services and 
contributions were sincerely appreciated. They likewise grate¬ 
fully acknowledge the services of the. honorary secretaries of the 
several auxiliaries, which still continue to prove valuable adjuncts 
to the institution. 
During the year the following amounts have been received : - 
Reading and District Auxiliary (hon. sec., Mr. H. G. Cox), £117; 
Worcester Auxiliary (hon. sec., Mr. Percy G. White),’ £110; 
Bristol and Bath Auxiliary (hon. see., Mr. G. Harris), £79 ; Devon 
and Exeter Auxiliary (hon. sec., Mr. W. Mackay), £33; and 
Wolverhampton Auxiliary (hon. sec., Mr. R, Lowe), £20. 
The committee have pleasure in reporting that in consequence 
of a large public meeting and concert at Liverpool, which was 
attended by the treasurer and the secretary, as a deputation, an 
auxiliary has been inaugurated in that city, which gives promise 
of being very successful, and likely, under the able honorary 
secretaryship of Mr. Waterman, to render substantial assistance 
to the institution. 
To the gentlemen named above, and to other friends-through¬ 
out the country who have helped forward the work, the com¬ 
mittee tender their best thanks. 
The “ Victorian Era Fund” and the “Good Samaritan Fund” 
are still a source of incalculable benefit. 
From the first named fund £104 has been distributed amongst 
the unsuccessful candidates at the last election who had been 
subscribers, and £120 has been given from the latter fund to the 
remaining unsuccessful candidates who were not subscribers, and 
to other applicants as temporary help in their distress and need. 
This latter fund has been particularly useful in enabling the 
committee to assist cases of a very pressing nature, to which*, had 
it not been for this fund, they must necessarily have had to turn 
a deaf ear. As the interest alone of the fund is available— 
unless special donations are given unconditionally—the commit¬ 
tee s resources are limited, and they therefore again commend it 
to those who have the power to increase its usefulness. 
With regard to the new rules which were adopted at the special 
meeting m January, 1902. the committee are hopeful that they 
will prove satisfactory in their working and to the advantage of 
the institution. On the whole general approval has been ex- 
pressed with the alterations, which were inevitable under the 
circumstances. A suggestion which has been made from several 
quarters to increase the number of votes at elections to annual 
subscribers of twenty, years’ standing and upwards is receiving 
the careful consideration of the committee. 
Unfortunately the committee have to deplore the loss 
by death of many valued friends and supporters 
during the past year. Amongst others who have thus 
passed away may be mentioned G. F. Wilson, Esq of 
Weybridge, a vice-president; Mr. E. W. Cathie, of Simpson’s an 
old subscriber; and Thos. F. Peacock, Esq., of Gray’s Inn, who 
for many years had acted as honorary solicitor to the institution, 
and whose services on many occasions will be gratefully re¬ 
membered. 
They are glad to be able to state that W. A. Bilney, Esq of 
Fir Grange, Weybridge, and Temple Chambers, Tenqile Avenue, 
has kindly consented to take the place of Mr. Peacock, and to 
help the charity by acting as its honorary solicitor. 
In conclusion the committee most earnestly ask for renewed 
effort on behalf of this National Horticultural (Charity. After 
