ROSE SHOW

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12607, 18 November 1926, Page 12

ROSE SHOW

OTAKI H. AND D. SOCIETY (“Times” Correspondent.) The spring show, in connection with the above society, was held on Friday at the Lyric Theatre, and despite the unfavourable season, the blooms were very fine, comparing favourably with other shows. The staging, thanks to the committee, w«w most effetcive, and all flowers were displayed to the best advantage. The open class was not strongly represented, but, nevertheless, Air \V. H. Reynolds had some very choice roses, including a few 1926 novelties. Argyle, American, Gold Mine, and the old favourite, Carolina Testout, were all staged to advantage. In the amateur class there, were several fine blooms, ’ chief among the number being carnations exhibited by Mrs J. McGill. The flowers were very large, well shaped, and a credit to the grower. Mrs McGill also exhibited somq lovely pansies, whife those shown by Mrs Bryant were also good. In the rose section for amateurs, Mr S. P. Eddy was well to the fore, and gained Mr H. Witchell’s fine trophy. Mr Eddy's blooms certainly reflected credit on him. His flowers wore, especially having the bad season to contend with, far above the ordinary. Other growers who had very nice blooms were Mrs Higgins, and Messrs H. Witchell and K. Webby. Mrs Higgins had the champion bloom of the show—a lovely Colonel Oswald Fitzgerald—a bloom that was the envy of many. In th* miscellaneous class (cut blooms) the exhibitions wore splendid, and Mrs McGill nnd Messrs Eddy and Bramley had lovely displays—displays that would have done credit to any show. There were six decorafiive tables, but Miss Bevan’s was outstanding, the lovely roses and autumn tints blending beautifully, and Miss Xicolson and Miss St. George also had very nicely-arranged lahles, and secured honours. The decorative work was one of the host features of the show, and the exhibits by Mrs Bryant and Miss Bevan were especially good. In each instance they showed great taste. Another feature of the show was a lovely amaryitis shown by Mrs McGill, while Mrs Reynolds had for exhibition only a. nice collection of irises. Messrs Evans and Sawyer had a stand, composed largely of seedlings for sale, but the blooms that, accompanied them were very fine. The vegetable and fruit classes, due no doubt to the bad season, were not up to standard, but the cooking section was strong, and good work was jn evidence Pupils of the Otaki State school were well to tho fore in the school work Jsctioc, and the display of drawing, writing, flat-tirf?Tng, etc., were all good, and deal of favourable comment was passed on all exhibits. The drawings, especially, were very nice. School children were also well to the fore in tbe decorative section, and did exceedingly well, their button-holes, baskets, etc., all being worthy of praise. The judges,

Mr Shailer (cut blooms), Mrs Curtis (domestic), Technical College (school work), and Miss Burgess (decorative), spoke highly of many of the exhibits. The attendance in the afternoon was poor, but in the evening there was a much larger attendance. However, it could have been much larger. The tearooms, under the management of Misses Whiteman (2). Osborne, assisted by Misses Pat. OTTiver, Freeman and Nicol6on, did good business, while Mrs Nicolson, who had charge of the produce stall, sold practically all heT goods during the afternoon. Misses Webby and Wood had charge of the nail-driving competTHons. The officers and committee and secretary (Mr J. B. Nee) of the society are deserving of kudos for the time and labour that they bestowed upon the show, and it was regrettable that the general public did not attend in larger numbers.