SUMMER SHOW.

Manawatu Herald, Volume LI, Issue 4534, 22 November 1930, Page 2

SUMMER SHOW.

FONTt )N IK )il» TfCiULTU RA B SOOI FTY’S EXHIBITION.

Bocal weather conditions were far from seasonal .for the Foxton Horticultural Society’s Summer Show, which was held in the Town Hall yesterday.' As a result of the recent boisterous winds entries dropped ..considerably, hut despite this fact a very line exhibition was staged. Sweet peas, as was only to be expected, suffered the most and there wore only two entries in this section, which in past .-.lion's Ims been a special feature of the exhibition. ICbusequentlv Ihe trophies for competition were held over until next year. OFFICIAL OPENING.

The official opening was conducted by Mr. J. Binklater, M.P., who was introduced by Mr. D. Christie (President). In extending Ij. .welcome to Mr. Binklater, Air. Christie said that, on the whole tile show was not what they had anticipated it would he. The committee, had been desirous of making it a record and had aimed at 1000 entries. Unfortunately, however, due to circumstances over which neither committee nor exhibitor had any control, this had not eventuated. The season had been most unfavourable and exhibits had suffered as a result in quality and number. In fact it was really surprising to. find so many good blooms on exhibition. He was particularly pleased with the entry in the vegetable section which showed considerable improvement oil past shows, and the biggest exhibit he could remember. It appeared as if this remarks at the 'Chamber of Commerce about community gardening was having an effect and this was very gratifying. Mi'. Binklater expressed pleasure at seeing' so many children present at the show as lie said it was to them that they would have to look for the future exhibitors, and they should he. given every eii(•ouiragemeiit in horticultural matters. He congratulated tin? President and all connected with the show on the line display and the exhibitors on the excellence, of their blooms. It was really amazing to see. such a fine exhibition. It reflected the greatest credit on the industry of local residents. The staging, too, had been very well on dried out and the whole show (•onjoared more than favourably with any in the Dominion. He paid a. special tribute to the work: of tlie secretary (Mr. E. .J. Murphy) and referred to his arduous duties. He understood that the present show marked the twenty-second year of Mr. Murphy’s association with the Society and lie congratulated him on his fine* record. It was a. very desirable thing to have

a. Horticultural Society in any I own and it enabled people to see lo wlml perfection the different blooms could he brought and a.lso created a spirit of friendly rivalry in the cultivation of flowers and vegetables which had a very 'beneficial (Tl'ecit on the community. Gardening was a fascinating and useful hobby and it was very interesting to note that the flowers we grew in our gardens in this country were common to most parts of the world. The garden of any local resident would perhaps contain flowers representative of North America, Sicily, Egypt and other parts of the world and growers did not very often give thought to the fact that the flowers they so care fully cultivated and (ended were being treated with equal eatre in other parts of the world. .[l'e had recently been in conversation with a military acquaint nfnee who saw service on Gallipoli, and he hap|>eued to mention that while on the Peninsula lie had come across some bulbs which lie picked up and on his return to Wellington planted them in his .garden. When they came up lie was somewhat surprised to find that they were white narcissi just the same as others he had growing in the same bed. Mr. Binklater also referred to the wonderful flowers to be seen in the South Son. Islands and said 'that on a recent; (visit to Suva he and his wife had been amazed at the wonderful flowers to be seen on the island. They had taken a thirty-mile molar drive and everywhere flowers abounded and the visitor was proffered bunches of delightful blooms wherever he went, by the Natives. At Samoa it was the same and on renewing his aequnintensliips with some Samoan Chiefs who a year or so before lie had bad the pleasure of showing over Mongolian, liolli he and liis wife had been warmly welcomed and garlands of flowers had been placed about their necks. He was pleased to see utility classes had, not been overlooked by the local Society and some fine exhibits characterised these sections. With brief reference to the local unemployed position and an assurance that better times were ahead, Mr. Binklater lormerly declared the show open.

M rs. Link hi ter was presented with a pnse.v of flowers by Mrs. E. J. Murphy immediately after the opening ceremony. There was quite a good attendance during the afternoon and Air. Fred. Oaple kindly provided pianoforte numbers. A baby show was held in the afternoon, Mrs. J. Lin'klater acting as judge. The results were as follows :

Up to six months: Mrs. E. Brown’s baibv 1, Airs. "Ward’s baby 2, Mrs. Lv. Byiie’s baby 3.

Six months to 12 months: Mrs. Richardson’s baby 1, Thomson 1, John Staff 2. Duettists, under 16 years of age: — J X. and W. Botaroff 1, L. Chaifev and Joan Barron 2.

THE EVENTING SESSION. During the evening the attendance was particularly good, doortakings for both sessions amounting almost to £lO. A pianoforte competition was held which was judged by Mr. Fred. Ca.ple and resulted as follows : 12 years and under: —Eona Fabian 1, .Joan Barron 2. 12 years to 15 years:—Ula During the evening Mr. Christie presented the trophies won and congratulated Miss Hughes on winning the ITeppnor trophy outrigld, and also annexing the perpetual trophy for the next 12 months. The President also extended his tbaulks to all who had assisted with the exhibition. The. 'decorated table by popular •vole went to Mrs. S. .J. Easton. Mrs. R. Owen was 2 and 3. Mrs. and Miss Patcliett underlook to supervise afternoon tea in conjunction with their cake and sweets stall this show and reported good lm.siness,v the refreshments being much appreciated .by patrons. A cake guessing competition was also held in conjunction with thd stall and was won by Mrs. \Y. Signal, who guessed the correct weight of the cake (31bs. 8oz.). The prize list appears on page 4.