QUEEN OF FLOWERS

Evening Post, Volume CVIII, Issue 129, 27 November 1929, Page 13

QUEEN OF FLOWERS

TO-DAY'S EOSE SHOW;

MANY BEAUTIFUL BLOOMS

The Wellington Horticultural Society's annual rose show, opened this a£»< ternoon in the Town Hall by the Mayor i and Mayoress, Mr. and Mrs. G-. A.) Troup, amply demonstrates the ability) of rose growers in and near Welling-i ton to hold their own against all-comeri^ where the queen of flowers is concerned*'; Each year brings an improvement in?] the quality and beauty of the roses;' shown, and it can be truthfully assert*-' ed that never before have such roses'! been on exhibition as those displayed! this year. Practically all the •well-4 known growers are competing, and the^ endless rows of gorgeous blooms frag-1 rant with scent are a wonderful sight.s Included among the roses are many? novelties, which will be full of inter* est to the specialist as well as the or 4 dinary grower. Competition is keen^i especially in the amateur classes, ands entries have come from far afield. The?! Horticultural Society's own exhibits from the roses grown at the Zoo is re-* markably fine. ' . '

Eoses are by no means the only feaVi ture of the show, although they are ther main one. Pansies and violas make a'! brave show and have been entered in.', large numbers, and many -will derive' much satisfaction from inspection, of the glorious carnations and sweet peas' which have been entered for competi-': tion or exhibition. In fact; practical-; ly every garden flower that blooms afithe present season may be found in all; its beauty on the benches. The decor-' ative classes have attracted very large? entries, much taste and ingenuity being displayed in the decoration of; tables, baskets, etc. Special exhibits,'well worth a long journey to see, in-; elude a wonderful collection of calceo-!< larias, grown by Mr. J. Michie, o£? Hataitai. Many of these are three feet-, in height, and their colourings are as; diverse as they are glorious. No suchi exhibit has ever been seen in Welling-! ton before. Specimens of reeently-im-; ported hydrangeas, many quite new to' garden enthusiasts, occupy another big; area. They are the property of Messrs-.S T. Waugh and Sons, and their beauty,; and novelty is the source of much fav-j ourable comment. The same'firm, has' also a fine exhibit of various pot plants and palms. Mr. Burrel, of Lower Hutt,i is showing rock plants, an exhibit of : much merit, and Anderson and Son, ofNapier, have a number of attractive' specimens of carnations and pot plants^ The roses and flowers shown by MrsJ Charles Haine, Kelburn, aie choice im the extreme, and of great interest is the display of nearly a hundred varie-> ties of native plants by Miss Fleming,' Hataitai. The City Beserves have, as usual, been culled of many gems to decorate the front of the stage, which' has been transformed into a thing of beauty.

Orchestral music from a first-class orchestra is being provided, and the ladies of the society are looking after the afternoon tea with their usual skill and activity. The show will be open until 9 o'clock to-night,, after• which' prize blooms will be auctioned. As the show is only a one-day event/ all flower lovers should make a point of being: present.