HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume II, Issue 76, 21 March 1846, Page 2

HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

On Saturday last, an exhibition of this Society took place at the Aurora Saloon, Lambtonquay. From the advanced state of the season there were not many fl >wers, but those exhibited were many of them choice specimens, particularly some Cape plants by Mr. St. Hill. The fruits and vegetables were of a superior quality ; — among the novelties were some grapes grown in a greenhouse by Mr. Ludlam, and some nectarines exhibited by Mr. Stokes. The apples also and the mulberries were very fine ; and there can be little doubt from the quality of the fruit already grown in the district, that this will be a firdtrate fruit country as soon as the settlers are allowed to possess their lands in peace, and have time to turn their attention to these pursuits. There were also some beautiful specimens of prepared flax exhibited by Mr. Cameron, shewing the extraordinary degree of fineness to which thit article may be brought. There were not many exhibitors of wheat and barley, but this may be readily accounted for from the disturbed state of the country districts. The natives, however, were in greater force than we remember on any previous occasion ; there were uot less than seventy competitors exhibiting wheat and various vegetables. The cultivation of wheat among the natives is entirely attributable to the force of example, and the civilizing influence of the settlers, and if the natives had had some instructor to teach them the European methods of cultivation, and to stimulate and direct their efforts, such men as Rangihaeata and Heki would lose their power for working mischief, and would sink into insignificance. The following is the list of prizes awarded: Judges — Baron Alzdorf, Captain Rhodes, Messrs. Tiffen, Catch pool, Macarthy, May, ani Northwood. Vegetable*. FIRST PRIZES. 12 potatoes, Mr Sc«.tt, Petoni 12 pods of peas, Mr. James, Wade's Town 6 pods beans, Mr. Edwards 6 kidney beans, Mr. D. Lewis 4 cabbages, Mr. Jnmes, Wade's Town 6 carrots, Mr. Bold 6 onions, Mr. Ross 2 roots of beet, Mr. St. Hill 2 roots of mangel wurzel, Mr. Ludlam 3 heads of celery, Mr. St. Hill 6 stalks of rhubarb, Mr. Ludlam ' 3 artichokes, Mr. Wilkinson 4 turnips, Mr. White Wheat, Mr. Knowles Barley, Mr. James Tomatas, Mr. Macdonald SECOND PRIZES. 12 potatoes, Mr. Brandon 12 pods of peas, Mr. St.- Hill ' ■ 6 pods beans, Mr. Edwards 6 kidney beans, Mr. St. Hill 4 cabbages, Mr. Hort 6 carrots, Dr. Featherston 6 onions, Mr. Bold 2 roofs of beet. Mr. Ross 2 roots of mangel wurzel, Mr. Hurst 4 turnips, Mr. St. Hill Wheat, Mr. J rimes Barley, Mr. Gascoigne EXTRA PRIZES. 12 potatoes, Captain Daniell 4 turnips, Mr. Scott Fruit*. FIRST FRIZES. Strawberries, Mr. Swainson Peaches, Mr. D. Lewis Nectarines, Mr. Stokes Apples, Mr. Stokes Grapes, Mr. Ludlam Pears, Mr. Ludlam Melon, Mr. Ludlam Cucumber, Mr. Hort Vegetable marrow, Mr. Macdonald Figs, Mr. Swainson Mulberries. Colonel Wakefield Barberries, Colonel Wakefield Squash, Captain Rhodes Elder berries, Mr. St. Hill SECOND FRIZES. Apples, Mr. Wills Melon, Dr. Featherston Cucumber, Mr. Ludlam EXTR4 PRIZE. Cucumber, Mr. Lewis Flower*. FIRST PRIZES. Dahlia, Mr. Wilkinson Seedling pansy, Mr. Wilkinson 6 pansies, Mr. Wilkinson Seedling geranium, Mr. Wilkinson 6 geraniums, Mr. Hort 12 annuals, Mr. Hort 6 roses of different varieties, Mr. Stoket 3 bulbous plants in flower, Mr. Ludlam Bouquet, Mr. St. Hill Device, Mr. Wilkinson Collection of flowering shrubs, Mr. St. Hill Picotees, Mr. Hort Fuschia Neliii, Mr. Justice Chapman SECOND PRIZE* Bouquet, Mr. Ludlam Cottager** Prizes, FIRST PRIZE. 4 varieties of vegetables, Mr. Bold SECOND PRIZE. 4 varieties of vegetables, Mr. Gsscoigna - , Prize* for the Natives. FIRST PRIZE. Melon, Tamati Pumpkin, Penerinue Vegetable Marrow, Paloronui Potatoes, Hakaraia Wheat, Henry Curaera, Hakaraia SECOND VftKEft. Potatoes, George Wheat, Hakopa Pumpkin, Nikar*

Yesterday the men of the Calliope were excercised at ball practice. The mark was anchored off Somes's island at a distance of 1,200 yards, and several of the shots fell within a very short distance of the n.ark. A subscription has been commenced for the relief of the settlers who have been plundered by the natives in the Hutt district, his Excellency and Mrs. Grey have contributed £25 each ; and Major Richmond and Mr. Justice Chapman £10each. Donations have been received from Mess. Johnson and Mocre of prints, from Mr. Tame of calico, clothing and Other useful articles, and from Mrs. Hort of prints for the children. Any contributions of baby-linen will be thankfully received by the Committee, as some of the settlers' wives, who have been recently turned out of house and home by the rebels, aie on the eve of their confinement. Hutt Bridge. — We have seen a design for this bridge by Mr. Cndland, which appears to be simple and economical in construction, and well adapted to the locality. We hope the judicious suggestions of our correspondent on this subject will be carried out, and the design as well as the execution of the bridge thrown open to public competition. The few public works required in this district can never justify the appointment of a surveyor with a large salary, and in the intended reforms of Capt. Grey there can be little doubt so useless an office as a Government surveyor for this district will be abolished.