CLIFTON HORTICULTURAL SHOW AND TEA MEETING.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume V, Issue 10, 12 January 1870, Page 2

CLIFTON HORTICULTURAL SHOW AND TEA MEETING.

V : • | The fifth annual show of the Clifton Horticultural Society camo off in the schoolroom, Clifton, on Thursday, January 6th, with considerable success, notwithstanding the previous stormy weather. The heavy rain and strong wind duriug the whole of Wednesday night caused great anxiety to those interested in the anticipated pleasures of the day, and a feeling of uncertainty prevailed about the Lady Barkly with the Nelson excursionists on board. This was in some measure allayed by the arrival of an open boat with passengers- from Colliugwood, among whom were three ladies, bringing an assurance thafc the steamer was lying there, and the brighteuing weather raised a hope that the Nelson friends might yet be partakers of the day's enjoyment. The day passed, however, without any signs of the steamer. About noon, numerous visitors and exhibitors were to be seen about the schoolroom. The unfavorableness of the season, and the sad havoc by wind, rain, and insects prevented any great display of either fruit, flowers or vegetable, but notwithstanding these drawbacks the [room presented a pleasing and satisfactory appearance, and it was evident that a spirit of emulation was at work which led the exhibitors to show their best productions. There can be no question about the great amount of good effected by this society, one pleasing feature of which is that it brings distant friends and a great number of young people together for a day's innocent and rational enjoyment, unaccompanied by anything approaching to what may sometimes be seen at like gatherings. Numerous games, races, jumping, &c, with prizes for juvenile competitors filled up the time until the gathering for tea, which was provided in the Nelson Foresters' large and commodious tent, hired for the occasion. In the evening an amateur performance by the Clifton Christy Minstrels afforded much amusement, and called forth most enthusiastic and rapturous applause. The following day (Friday) the Lady Barkly landed the Nelson excursionists at not a very convenient distance from Clifton ; but a hasty gathering of carts, brought these friends to the show which was re-opened. A tea was provided in the tent, and a repetition of the Christy's entertainment, when valuahle assistance was kindly rendered by Mrs. S. Robinson, Mrs. Telby, and A. Collins, Esq., completed the pleasures of this annual gathering of the people of Golden Bay.