HORTICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 252, 17 December 1878, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL AND INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION.

The most pleasing feature of the 28th anniversary of the Province in Akaroa was the exhibition of works of art and industry in the public schoolroom, Akaroa. The exhibits, though not so numerous as those of last year, were superior in merits, and the high artistic tone of oil paintings exhibited by Mr W. M. Watkins we ventureto say could not be surpassed in the colony. Of the three pictures for exhibition, two were evidently gallery replicas ; the third, the finest "picture in the room, was a view of Akaroa harbor at evening, from Barry's Bay, The distance, looking towards the Heads, suffused with the grey purples of the evening reminded one of the best efforts of Waller Paton. The three oil paintings of Akaroa scenery for competition have been executed by Mr Watkins eince his return amongst us after a 'two years' study of his art in Melbourne. The picture cf an Akaroa valley, to which the judges awarded the first prize, was a fine composition of New Zealand flora, and the smoke curling through the bush gave an aerial perspective distance to the scene which was truly charming. Coming from great things to small, the drawings by boys and girls were uncommonly good, but the judges had great difficuly'; in arriving at decisions from the want of classification, pencil, water color, crayon, and freehand all competing in the same class. The judges suggested that in future exhibitions a distinction should be made in the

several methods. A dog's head, by Master George Penlington, on toned paper, freely and boldly executed, deservedly got the first prize. The Tazza, by Master Oswald Watkins, was the finest specimen of drawing of tlie; style of the , Kensington Art School exhibited, and the - judges expressed a strong wish in-future'exhibitions to see this style of drawing ■■ much more numerously represented. The efforts in illumination were not so numerous as last year. Mr S,. Watkins' example in this clafts was beautifully and carefully done in 13th century., missal style, ' the initial letter being a fine piece of foliated design. One of the strong points of the exhibition was the samples of cone-work, which showed care, taste, and design. Two of the best designs in frames /Were unfortunately too late for competition, Miss Thomas and Miss Bruce taking the honors in this class. In the competition for pressed fern leaves, Master Gus. Watkins was the only exhibitor. The specimens were neatly and carefully mounted, but were totally without educational value in the absence of their names. The judges recommend that in future all exhibits of pressed leaves and plants be disqualified, unless properly named. Some very fair samples of plain writing were entered for competition from both boys and girls. The mapping was decidedly the strongest feature of the exhibition, almost every exhibit being of considerable merit. Some maps'by pupils at the Robinson's Bay school being disqualified by having the names of the exhibitors attached to them. In carvings, the exhibits ef Mr Riches in the Paua shell were excellent in execution and artistic in design. In models, Mr Kearney's model of a steamboat showed much patience and accurate workmanship. The yacht Florentine, by P. Berland, was a neat model, and accurately cutter rigged, winning Mr G. Black's special prize. Mr Billens' special prize of pen and ink sketch was won by Mr Nicholls, sketch of Akaroa from German Bay Point, although we think the sketch of Akaroa Harbor, with trees in the foregronnd superior in many respects. Mr Billens' special prize for a water colour sketch of Akaroa scenery fell to himself, his view of tne harbor from Brasenose looking northward, had a great deal of excellent handling in the middle distance. Ihe other exhibits were raw and crnde in color and drawing, although ambitious in design. For Messrs Whitcombe and Oo's prize for a water color drawing from nature, Mr S. Watkins was facile princeps. The drawing of a group of fruit having much of the feeling of nature. In Mrs Montgomery's special prize for drawing for boys under 15, we totally disagree with the award of the judges. The pen and ink sketch of a bird which was awarded the first prize, having no merit at all equal to that of a neat lttle water color of a sea beach, with rocks in the distance, by Master Laurence Watkins, which would stand as an excellent representation of Tennyson's " Break, break, break, On thy cold grey stones, 0 Sea." The show of plants and flowers was al most exclusively confined to Messrs Morey and Garwood Mr E. W. Morey taking first place. The show of fruit flowers and vegetables being very fair, considering the dry season. The geraniums shown by Mr Garwood being well grown and of the best sort. Mr E. W. Morey .placed some heaths in the stands, and his calceoleria in full bloom was the finest plant in the show. Quite a new feature in the exhibition was the appearance of the Chinese gardeners who it will be seen from the prize list bore off no small portion of the honours, With the exception of the presence of Ah Tie the greater part of the honors were carried off by Messrs Garwood and Morey. Mr Garwoods show of picottees and carnation were excellent as also his show of cut blooms. The bouquets were not creditable to the district. In fruit the cherries and raspberries were good, but the currants and gooseberries were not up to the mark. The useful and important class of vegetables were in view of the present dry season very good, especially the potatoes. The show generally had a pleasing effect in the school-room, and was visited by a large number of the residents in Akaroa and the Bays during the day. The amount taken for admission at the doors was between £17 or £18. Mr S. Watkins, the Secretary, was most indefatigable in his exertions to make visitors at home, and explain all matters connected with the exhibition. Mr W. Jolly in connection with the flower show was übiquitous and anxious to afford every possible information. All the principal residents in the district were present during the day, as also Mr and Mrs Montgomery and excursionists from Christchurch. The management and Committee of the Flower Show and Industrial Exhibition have to be congratulated on the success the whole affair was. At about 3* p.m. His Worship the Mayor in the presence of a large number of visitors formally declared the. exhibition duly opened, and hoped it would increase in importance year after year. During the evening the school-house was visited by large numbers of the public, and the playing of the Misses Armstrong and Connell on the piano during the evening did much to add.to its pleasantness. The following is the prize list :— HORTICULTURAL. Judges—Rev. W. Aylmer, Messrs W. G. Nalder, and W. Jolly. POD PJLAItrVS. 6 Stove or greenhouse plants in flower— No exhibit. 6 Fine foliaged plants—No exhibit 6 Fuchsias, varieties— do. 3 do, do—E. W. Morey, 1. 1 do, best in the room—E. W. Morey, 1. 6 Geraniums, Zonale, 3 varieties— E. W. Morey, 1. 3 do, do—No award 6 Double, not less than 3 varieties—E. W. Morey, 1. 3 do do—No award. 6 Ivy leaf, 3 varieties —No award. , 3 do, do—E. W. Morey, 1. Seat Single Plant. 6 Pelargoniums, fancy, 3 varieties—E. W. Morey, 1. ! 12 do, show, not less 6 varieties—No award; 6 do, show, not less than 3 varieties— No award. 3 do, fancy—E. W. Morey 1. Best Single Plant Pelargonium. J. D. Garwood, 1" 6 Balsams, 3 varieties--No exhibit. 3 do, do —No exhibit, 3 Lilies—No exhibit. 1 Specimen plant of any description— J. D. Garwood, 1 (heliotrope).

Ist prize for a heath—E. W. 1C -rey. Ist prize Calceolaria —E. W. Mo*ey, 1. CUV Fi©WJE»S. 6 Roses, varieties —No exhibit. , -,---... 3 do, do—No exhibits. ..,<"-' 6 Pinks, notlosa than "3 varieties—E. W. Morey, 1. ... 6 Carnations, do— J. D. Garvroorl, 1. 6 Pelargoniums, varieties—No exhibit. 6 Sweet Williams, .'! varieties— J. X). Garwood, 1. 6 Stocks varieties—No exhibit ' 3 do, do—No exhibit 6 Verbenas, 3 trusses, each 3 varieties — J. D. Garwoori. 1 3 do—No exhibit 6 Zinnias, 3 varieties—No exhibit . 6 Auriculas—No exhibit 6 Geraniums, Zonale, or double—No exhibit 6 Lilies, not less than 3 varieties —No exhibit Collection cut blooms— J. D. Ganvood, 1. - .• - '■■" ■■ ■'■'■■ " ' Hand bouquet—Helen Houghton, 1 . Table do—No.exhibit Vase of flowers—No exhibit 4 Gladiolus, not less than 3 varieties— No exhibit . . ,; * * 6 Pansies do, do—-No exhibit ■ 6 Antirrhinums do do—No exhibit Special prizes for table bouquet,,tp be made by 'flowers from any source—No exhibit - Special prize, hand bouquet, boys undo* 16—No exhibit Special prize, hand bouquet, girls under 14 ; flowers from any "source—Helen Houghton, 1 Drooping plant, hung up, Labelia—E. W. Morey 1, 2 Cabbages—S. Pyfe, 1 2 Cauliflowers—Ah Tie, 1 6 Carrots— J. D. Garwood, 1 6 Parsnips—Ah Tie, 1 6 Turnips— J. D. Garwcod, 1 25 Pods of peas—Ah Tie, 1 12 do, broad or long pod beans—Ah Tie, 1 12 Potatoes (kidney)—Ah Tie, I 12 do, (round) —No award 12 Onions—S. Fyfe, 1 Collection of potatoes— J. D. Garwood, 2 Cucumbers— J. D. Garwood, 1 - Collection of vegetables— J. D. Garwood, I Do salad—No exhibit . 4 Lettuces—Ah Tie, 1 6 Stalks Rhubarb, heaviest—Ah Tie, 1 20 Asparagus—No exhibit Special prizes for best collection Vegetables— J. D. Garwood, 1 Special prizes for best 3 cabbages—Ah Tie, 1 I French beans—Ah Tie, 1 Badishes—Ah Tie, 1 Beetroot—Ah Tie, 1 FRVIT. 20 Strawberries—Mrs Kearney, 1 ; 20 Raspberries—Robert Newton, 1 20 Cherries —Robert Newton, 1 12 Bunches red currants—No prize 12 do white do—Mrs-Kearney .12 . do, black do—No prize 20 Gooseberries Kearney 20 do (culinary)—Ah Tie Best plate of apricots—No exhibit *6 apples, last season—No exhibit WORKS OF INDUSTRY.. Judges in Needlework, etc. —Mesdames S. Watkins, Dalglish, Beswick, and Miss J. Gray. Works of Art, Writing, Mapping, etc. Messrs Nalder, Wiggins, and M'Gregor. Drawing from copies, for girls and boys under 18 years of age—G. Penlington, 1 ; Sarah Checkle) , , 2. Painting in oils or water colours, from nature —W. M. Watkins, 1. Illuminating, for boys or girls—No award. Illuminating, adults—S. Watkins. Cone work, leather do, for frames or boxes—Miss Thomas. 1; Isa. Bruce, highly commended. Collection of pressed ferns, sea weeds, and leaves—Gub. Watkins, 1. ( : Plain needlework—F. Dawber, 1; C. M«Kay, 2. Embroidery—No exhibit. Tatting—No award. Crochet—Jane Dalglish, 1. Crochet or tatted antimacassar, for girls under 14 years—Adeline Ditely, 1. Best hemmed handkerchief, girls under 12—Ethel Watkins, 1. Wool-work, entirely done by exhibitor— Alice Haylock, 1. ','" Lettering, boys under 14—Geo. Checkley, 1 ; do, highly commended. Ornamental writing—Henry Billens, 1. Plain writings for boys and girls under 16—Frank Scott. Plain writing for boys under 14 (Akaroa Horticultural and. Industrial Exhibition, 16th December, 1878, to be written on ruled foolscap, in three sizes —space, double space, and one-third space)—Mr Meech's special prize- 1 - J.: W. M'Gregor, 1. Do, do, for girls under 15—Mr Smith's special prize—Sarah Checkley, 1, .\ Do, do for girls under 10—Mrs Montgomery's special prize—Mabel Scott, 1. Mapping, both sexes, under 16—George Penlington, 1; J. Sunckell, 2 ; J. M'Gregor, highly commended. Copying music, boys and girls — L. Watkins, 1. Do, do, adulta—No award. Knitted socks, 1 pair—Press prize, Miss A. Sunckell. Knitted bootees for baby, in wool, girls under 12—Charlotte Bruce, 1, Netting—No award. Darning—Emma King, 1. Artificial flowers, in any material —Miss Thomas, 1. Carving in any material—Geo. Riches, 1. Models, nautical or mechanical—Wm, Kearney, 1 ; Mr G. Black's special prize for best model cutter, P. Borland 1. Patch-work — Sundowner's prize, Mrs Kearney. Cutting-out and making white shirt, wearable size—Mrs Garwood's prize, Margaret Bruce, 1. Cutting out and making regatta shirt wearable size—-No award. . Cutting out and making Crimean shirt, wearable size—Mrs Ditely, 1 Book markers, girls only, under 14—No exhibit at age. ' Best ironed shirt—Mrs Yewen, 1. Best dressed doll, clothing to be made and doll to be dressed by exhibitor, girls only, under 14—Noiexhibit : ; ■;; . Pillow exhibit Point lace—Misa Armstrong s Crewel work-rrrAhnft Watkifls Map of New. Zealand, to, .be drawn from memory iv 15 minutes, before judges— No award •....- Pen and ink sketch of New Zealand scenery. (Akaroa) —Mr Billens , epecial prize—Alfred Nicholls, 1

Oil or water color sketch of New Zealand scenery (Akaroa) —Mr Billens' special prize—H. Billens, 1. Special Prizes. Drawing by girls under 15—Mrs Montgomery's prize—Sarah Checkley, 1. Do, do, boys under 15—Mrs Montgomery's prize—o. Newton, 1 Water color drawing from nature — Whitcomhe and Co's prize—S. Watkins, 1.