FRIENDLY SOCIETIES’ FETE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2410, 26 December 1881, Page 3

FRIENDLY SOCIETIES’ FETE.

The annual fete in connection with the various Friendly Societies is being proceeded with on the grounds of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association this day. As was the case last year, the spot chosen for marshalling the procession waa Latimer square. The Druids fell in at the Wellington Hotel shortly after 9 o’clock, and between 10 and 11 o’clock, as the Railway Band came up Colombo street, they marched np, and, falling into the rear, proceeded to the trysting place, where a large body belonging to Oddfellows and Foresters were already congregrated. It was fully twenty minutes past eleven before the procession was marshalled, when it started from Latimer square in the following order : Master Druid, with sickle. Railway Band. Car with Britannia and emblematical figures. Druids. Altar with emblem, ’’Let Druidism flourish. Grand banner Volunteer Lodge of Oddfellows. Oddfellows. New Oddfellows’ banner. Old Oddfellows’ banner. Oddfellows. ■ Banner of the Loyal Perseverance Lodge. Oddfellows. Banner. Hamilton’s Band. Foresters. Robin Hood on horseback. Juvenile Foresters. Foresters Drum and Fife Band, Six Bannerets borne by Foresters. Banner of Court Queen of the Isles. Foresters. Banner of Court Star of Canterbury. Widow and Orphans’ Fund Banner. Foresters. Six Bannerets. Ancient Order of Shepherds. The streets were lined with a crowd of spectators, and the tram cars did a roaring trade. The order of procession was from Latimer square along Hereford street to Manchester street, thence along Gloucester street, Colombo street, Cathedral square, High street, Cashel street, thence again into Colombo street to the Show grounds, which waa entered by the lower gate. The head ranks then formed np on each side and allowed the rear part of the procession to pass through and afterwards the assemblage spread out and the business proper of the day commenced. It was nearly half-past one o’clock, however, before the first race was pulled off, which of course prevents us from giving at present the Issue of the events. THB FLOWER SHOW. The Sydenham Horticultural Society held their first general exhibition in the large shed near the north gate of the ground. The shed, which is of considerable size, bad been arranged to hold three sets of tables, on which ths exhibits were skilfully staged by Messrs Burns, Beatty, I’Anson and P. Nairn. For such a yonng society the exhibits were of the most creditable character, being strong especially in that favorite of amateurs—the geranium, of which there were many dozens of specimens. There was also a goodly show of fusohias, begonias, a splendid collection of ferns, numerous exhibits of carnations, pinks, and piootees. Cut blooms too were very numerous, and mostly in good condition. Although it is hardly encouraging to amateurs to see the palm borne off by professional gardeners, yet it is impossible to withhold commendation from the show mode by Messrs Nairn and Sons, who certainly staged the best out blooms, single, in bouquets and general collections. Professional exhibitors do, however, a powerful and good influence in snob shows, if it is only by teaching amateurs what may be done by care and perseverance. There were a few roses, some of them very good, bnt the groups were very unequal, the overgrown blooms spoiling the effect of the whole. In verbenas there were some judicious and well-grown exhibits, and a few ranunculus blooms shown in general collections were of remarkably good quality. The fruit and jfegotablo class was only sparely represented, but the exhibits severally were very good, notably ono plate of thirty-three kinds of gooseberries, which obtained a first prize. The potatoes did not strike any one as being particularly good, while there was a very good show of peas, white and red currants, and a few strawberries. The only exhibit of raspberries showed the effect of the dry season, as did also lettuce, cabbages,