OTAKI SCHOOL SHOW

Chronicle (Levin), 4 December 1946, Page 2

OTAKI SCHOOL SHOW

Fine Vegetable and Flower Exhibition

Considering the weather, there was a large attendance at the Otaki School on Thursday last when the annual flower and vegetable show was held. Wednesday's storm and the heavy rain on Thursday morning prevenced the children from bnnging as many entries as they intended, but nevertheless three classrooms were required to show all the exhibits. Mr. J. E. James, headmaster, expressed thanks "to the parents for their co-operation in staging the show. The donations, which amounred to over £13, were far in excess of expectations, and all donors were thanked for their support. ije ^ Mr. Harold Taylor, on behalf of the school committee, thanked all exhibitors and said that it was very pleasing to see such a wonderful display, which was a credit to the teachers and pupils. The work was of such a high standard that jt wouid do credit to any similar how in the Dominion, said Mr. Taylor, and the children would one day be the backbone of the locax horticultural society.

Mr. E. Bartosh, president of the Otaki Horticultural Society, said it gave him great pleasure to be present to open the show. He complimented the children on their exhibits and asked the parents to note the high quality of the cut blooms and decorative wcik. As it had been, a very unfavourable season, he had not anticipated such a large number of entries in the vegetable section. The "egttables were a big improvemenc last year's show, and the pofaro and cabbage sections, in pa-'r.-u-lar, were difficult to judge. AlthQugn the weather had not been good it was pleasing to see so many pcesent. ! Mr. James then expressed the school's thanks to Mr. Bartosh and Mr. C. Evans for the help they had given, and for judging the entries. Comments on Sections Infant seeuon: This seclion was decorative only and the efforts of the exhibitors were very attractive in most cases. The sand saucer exhibit was the most popular, and these varied from the ranaom attempts of the baby beginner to the more planned work of the elder child., . Posi^.s, 4ecor$tq4 $pxes and trays, as" weil" as cut blooms, were shown and considering the weather and -the . seasoh, the fiowers were of a ' high standard. Their arrangement showed interrst ahd/zeal." • ' •

Cut blooms: Of the 19 ciasses m the cut bloom scction, the fiowe.'ing shrub and rose entries were nutst'anding in merit and number. A fine amaryllis- attracted special atiention in the unusual flower class. Many attractive entries in the open class made judging difficult. There were only two entries in the deiphinium class, but tliesn were weil up to standard and merited their first and second plscings. Decorative: In this section the most popular ciasses were th'^o u"»' the sand posies and boxes of fiowers, the favourite colours for the latter being pink and mauve. There were two entries only in the class for decorated jugs, but eo-'.b was most attractive, the winning entry being in lemon. blue and mauve and the second in yellow ->nd tangerine. An innovation ws +he section for the beV collec.tion of native leaves. The winning entries' earned commendation for their careful mounting. Vegetables and fruit: The vegetable and fruit sections were enthusiastically supporVd by both boys and girls. Despite a poor growing season, entries were generally more numerous and of better quality than those of last year's show. Particularly keen competiion was- shown In the ciasses f" ; potatoes. cabbages, lettuc.e, carrcas and radishes. The fruit section brought forward a pleasing array of lemons and gooseberries. An entry of strawberrios drew much attention. The distribution of ^ . — — . -

prizes demonstrated that merit is v^oii by quanty raiiier ihan size, and that ihe careful prcparation of an exhibit goes a long way in ihe eyes of a judge.