OTAKI-BULB SOCIETY.

Otaki Mail, Volume 26, 19 September 1919, Page 3

OTAKI-BULB SOCIETY.

SECOND ANNUAL SHOW. ' MAGNIFICENT display of bulbs The Otaki Bulb Society bas every reason to be proud of its second annual show, held at the Otaki Town Hall on Wednesday last, for the display, was a magnificent one, comprising many, exhibits that would have graced any exhibition in the Dominion. Visiting exhibitors from Lower Hutt (Messrs T. AVaugh, H. Poole, P. Westbury and A. J. Hobbs) staged a great many entries, which in themselves made an exhibition well worth the price of admission, while local growers also exhibited many beautiful bulbs, showing that daffodils are steadily growing in popular favour here as elsewhere. Very keen interest was taken in the competition for the Citizens’ Trophy, for 21 varieties of narcissi, three

blooms of each. Mr T. AVaugh had a “leg-in” for this handsome trophy, and succeeded in winning it outright, Mr H. Poole’s two entries being a very dose second and third. The judge (Mr p.-ackingham) stated that the exhibits were remarkably good—so good that, he gave Mr AVaugh 110 points out of a possible 120, and Mr Poole was only one point behind. Mr AVaugh was also successful in winning first for the col-

lection of IS varieties, Mr Poole again being a close second. In tbe other open*classes Mr Poole was the biggest prize-winner, Messrs AVaugh and Westbury also scoring many prizes. It must be mentioned that, owing to Mr Waugh’s late arrival at Otaki, due to a motor accident, he was unable to compete in many classes in which ho had entered. t«3}BsM' 35-

The judge, interviewed by an ‘ ‘ Otaki Mail” representative, said that he was very pleased w’ith the show—it was a hotter display than he had anticipated. The good stuff shown, lie con-

sidered, was quite on a par, if not ahead of, any he had seen at the big-

ger shows of late, and many glorious vases of . bulbs were displayed, which could not be bettered in all probability in the Dominion. The amateur exhibits, to*, were clean, well grown, and a. credit to the exhibitors.

I Mr Buckingham made special reforSence to a few outstanding varieties of |narcissi staged by Mr AVaugh. Kobis|pierre, a most striking flower, with a pig, flat, red cup, was specially good. l|This variety won the championship at I the resent Hutt show. Mr Waugh also | exhibited some glorious Dragonfly I (semi-double), Lord Roberts, Gannett 1 (another gorgeous red eup), etc. I Among Mr Poole’s numerous exhibits I Queen of Hearts (a gorgeous flower, [with flat cup of exceptional brilliance), jthe favourite Bernardino, Michael AnJgelo, Mace Bearer, and Yellow Poppy Iwere a few. of the blooms that excited [special admiration. I The exhibits in the amateur class Iwere much in advance of those shoes n fat previous local shows, and were really [exceptionally good. Mr H. Small was (easily tho most successful exhibitor, [winning the points prize in all of the {principal narcissi sections. All of his blooms were well-grown and nicely staged. Other.local growers, notably Messrs AVitchcll, Broadway and Summers, also staged very nice exhibits. The attendance at the show was specially--good in the afternoon, but not quite so good in the evening, though tho door takings exceed those of last pear. The refreshment rooms wore m tho capable hands of Mrs Hodgson, who was ably assisted by a number of other ladies, who all worked hard to make this important -department tho success it was. Mesdamcs Hutliwaitc and AV. Baker had a well-filled produce stall, which was well patronised, and did excellent business, while Mrs and the Misses Swabcy and other assistants had stalls of sweets, Melanesian curios, etc., on behalf of the Melanesian Mis-

Several competitions were held for cakes, etc. Aliss Edmod won the iced cake from the produce stall, Mrs .1. E. Bills the fruit cake, and Air A. R. Rffdkin the sitting of ducks’ eggs. Tho largo cake from tlio refreshment room was won by Miss O. McFall. The arrangements were well carried out by the capable secrotary (Air S. Norgiove) and officers, though handicapped by the late arrival of exhibits, due to motor mishap.

Air Buckingham, of' Hutt, acted as judge for all sections, and it speaks well for this gentleman’s ability and impartiality when we say there was scarcely a complaint on tho score of judging. (Fqr prize-list see fourth page.)