OBITUARY

Hutt News, Volume 3, Issue 1, 29 May 1930, Page 7

OBITUARY

WILLIAM SLATER.

It was with feelings of deepest regret that horticulturists of the Hutt Valley learned of the-passing away, after a long illness," of Mr. William. Slater. During his nineteen years residence in this district, Mr Slater probably did more than any other individual to make the Hutt. Valley famous for the quality of x,its spring and autumn blooms at the various Horticultural IShows throughout the. country. The late Mr Slater

was a

printer by trade ■ and was' held -in the very highest esteem by Messrs Whitcombe an&i Tombs of Wellington, with whom he served for 36 years and occupied a very responsible position on their staff as factory manager. ; .

Although Mr Slater was- himself a 'most successful grower and exhibitor of flowers he ren.der.ed a,.much greater service to the community^ and to this district in particular, by imparting Ms knowledge to others and encouraging them to become growers of the flowers he loved so well. It was as a grower of chrysanthemums that he was first known in, this district some twelve years' ago. He took particular pric.e in. his amazing ability to "dress" a bloom.; His delicate fingers and keen eye. were capable of so arranging, what looked to others ,to be a second-class flower^ into a bloom hat would be awarded the champion of the show. He p'robabTy had no equal in New Zealand in this direction, and he would; spend a whole evening fondling and caressing a bloom to- make it suit his fancy. * It: would be interesting to know how many-pupils he had trained. It is doubtful if there is a single amateur who exhibits at the Hutt shows who ,did not receive his first plants and tuition either-from'Mr Slater or from one of his pupils. : v

By the removal of this quiet, -unostentatious horticulturalist the Hutt Valley Horticultural Society has lost one of its keenest supporters whose place it will < be veyy difficult to nil. Otljer than those who. were privileged tp work-with to,. few. know of liis ■ great worth. As a memlaer of the Schedule Committee lie, rendere&i outstanding service and whilst he never failed in his insi.stance for tic

: ighest' possible;quality in all of the open classes, he was always prepared to nake due allowances in order to encour\ge the amateur and ■ novice growers; His interest in the shows was maintained to the last and though he was a very man lie visited and took an active wt in both the Hutt and the Wellington flower sjhows, a nionth before his death. '. '.. ■■ , ".. •:.' •■.',' ■, ' :' : -: ■

Among his many successes at. flower in his first year 1918, he won the Open Class Champion Bloom with "ECLth Quittenabn," andy won the noints prize five years ml succession at the local show. He was the holder of the Stratford Challenge Cup. At Wanganui in 1924 he won the challenge, cup in the open class. In the , years 1919, i 920, 1921 and 1924 he secured the B.H.S. silver medal for 36 blooms, chrysanthemums, at the" local show.

He never tired of making personal apr peals for trophies to be. competed for atthe various shows and it was in this direction that he rendered^ his last service to the society fivo: weeks before his death, when at the autumn show-ho presented on Off the donors, two beau tiful trophies. In recognition of his exceptional service' he was recently^ made a life member of the Society. It is probable that his memory will be perpetuated by the establishment of a memorial trophy bearing his name. '

We have so far only referred to MiSlater as a grower of chrysanthemums because. it was through his wonderful success with these autumn, flowers that he first attracted, public-, notice. Some five years ago he took up the. study of the narcissus y/ith remarkable success, and succeeded in- annexing "the . !North. Island Amateur Bafrodil. Championsliip medal "fo-r two years in succession.

Here again,';we fifloi : William Slater, the ever unselfish, imparting his knowledge and encouraging "others fo take up the study of' tlie beautiful spring flowers. Tb know that pue was interested in their cultivation and was anxious to become an exhibitor, was quite sufficient reason for Mr Slater to adopt him as a pupil and, to start him off with a suitable collection of bulbs from his own well • chosen bejds. He also took a very keen interest in the "study of hybridising of the daffpoil an<J last year was rewarded with several1 blooms"-from.

his o\vn seedlings. /