HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 1521, 11 March 1916, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

The local Horticultural Society’s Autumn Show, held in the Town Hall on Thursday and Friday was not so successful as its predecessors. The entries in every class were smaller and the attendance of the public—and members—was disappointing. The phenomenal long spell of dry weather has parched up vegetable and flower gardens, and even .fruit has been seriously affected, thus preventing a number of residents from entering exhibits. The display of cut blooms, under the circumstances, was remarkably good, but the entries ot fruit and vegetables was disappointing, although the exhibits in these classes compared favourably with past specimens. There were no entries in the farm produce section. The cookery section showed a marked decline this year and the reason for this is difficult of solution. There were no entries in pot plants. The total entries this year were 251, as against 447 last year. The following is a table of entries for this and last year’s Autumn Shows: — 1915 1916 Pot Plants ... 31 Cut Blooms ... 170 94 Fruit ... 38 28 Vegetables ... 93 37 Farm Produce... 5 —- Dairy Produce... 2 Cookery ... 60 46 Home Industries 17 n Decorative ... 24 28 Children ... 7 7 Totals 447 251 The attendance of the public was very disappointing, and this indifference is poor encouragement to a society which, from an educational point ot view, is an important asset to the town. Surely the society will not be allowed to fizzle out for lack of public support as has been the the case with so many local public institutions. The society is conducted •by a body of men and women who have displayed considerable self-sacrifice and enthusiasm in a good cause, and who have never allowed a committee meeting to go by default. But what is the use of their efforts if the public show such wretched indifference and downright lack of sympathy. The war is no excuse for such indifference, as public patronage at pleasure resorts has not diminished. Is the same old microbe at work in connection with the society ? The thanks of the society are due to the president Mr G, H. Stiles, secretary Mr Patterson, stewards and committee for the manner in which they carried out their duties.

The judging gave general satisfaction, and no complaints were heard in this connection.

The Borough Band and Mr Betty’s orchestra enlivened the proceedings both evenings.

Mrs Procter and her assistants had charge of the tea-rooms, and succeeded in pleasing patrons.

Mr P. Robinson catered for the amusement of young and'old in the Kaiser competitions. The following are the results of the weight-guessing competitions : —Sheep, correct weight 49)4 1b5; Mr Stiles 49)41b5, Private Howe Cake, Mrs H. Osborne guessed the correct weight, slbs 13025.

Mr Shailer donated a number of pot plants on exhibition to the Patriotic Shop. A number of other exhibitors also donated their exhibits.

The prize list appears on the fourth page.