Horticultural and Floricultural Show-

Poverty Bay Standard, Volume IX, Issue 1012, 15 December 1881, Page 2

Horticultural and Floricultural Show-

President : T. W. Porter, Esq., Vice-President : G. Stevenson, Eeq. Treasurer : Mr. W. Good. Secrktari : Mr. W. L. File. Committee : Dr. Pollen, H. Bull, B. Bently, I. C. Taylor, J. Tutchen. B. Sherrill, G. Hill, T. Adams, P. Barrie, and E. Cameron.

The Spring Show, under the auspices of the above-named society, was held in McFarlane’s Hall yesterday ; and we may congratulate its members, and the public generally on the great success achieved. The spacious area of the hall was occupied by a line of tables running nearly the entire length of the floor space, while the sides were also requisitioned for the purposes of display, leaving space for visitors to promenade, and view the enchanting scene. On our first visit at 10 a.tn., the fragrance and beauty of fruit and flora were delightful, while the uninterrupted view obtainable from one end to the other, enabled the looker on to take in the variegated scope at a glance, which formed a mise en scene. refreshing, indeed, to all the senses, but satisfactory to two only— smelling and seeing. Visitors were prohibited, by solemn warnings on printed placards, not to taste, nor touch, an admonition we do not think anyone was profane enough to disregard. The remaining sense of hearing had its peculiar joy, for we heard encomiums passed on all hands at the wonderful sight Nature, decked in holiday attire, presented to her admiring votaries. Praiseworthy and successful as was the show of last year, that of 1881, beats it, to use a familiar vulgarism “ all to smash.” Still nothing that we could sec was smashed. Everything had arrived safely, fresh from the nurseries and gardens of a delighted people, who were engaged in one of those pursuits and occupations, that ennoble work and make life

The gentle Flora was decked, as she should be, in her brightest garb, to which she lent the additional charm of her most winning smiles. Amongst other notable attractions we noticed some very elegant bridal bouquets, which, as “ distance lends enchantment to the view ” must have caused many a feminine heart to flutter. There was also a floral device signifying “ no Cross no Crown,” the handiwork of Mrs Bedford Sherriff, whose cultivated taste in this direction is well-known. The display of vegetables was, from a gastronomic stand point, simply grand. It did one’s eyes good to see there exhibited selections of the Ziortus tribe such as are rarely to be met with. And this causes us to express a surprise as to why ordinary mortals cannot buy these articles and enjoy them at his own table—where, alone, enjoyment can give satisfaction. Most of us bread-winners like to have, as well as see, good vegetables, but day after day, and week after week, [tho town may be ransacked, and yet nothing approaching size and quality, such as were exhibited yesterday, can be found. A fortnight since the writer made a desperate investment in tho purchase of a bag of ‘ spuds” at tho extremely moderate price—so we were told—of three halfpence per pound, the largest of which must be multiplied by six to make one of the smallest on view yesterday. And as to cabbages, turnips, and the rest—well they were‘l simply superb, and quite sufficient to make the mouths of even ordinary maitres de cuisine long for their possession. We may draw attention to this matter again, but, in the meantime, we cannot but express an unqualified satisfaction at the success of the Show, and a corresponding surprise, as to why these rarities are so rare. Fruit exhibits were not A 1, if we except gooseberries, and were a sorry representation of what the district is capable of producing. The follow ing arc the prizes awarded by the judges : —

CLASS I.

Pot Plants in Bloom. Calceolarias, 3 varieties, ss—Mr G. St even son. Cactus, 3 varieties, os—Mr Jno. Bourke. Mr. Graham’s Prize of £1 Is, for Fuchsias, [single] 8 varieties, 10s 6d—Mr Bentley. Fuchsias, [double] 6 varieties, 10s 6d—Mr Bentley. Geraniums, [single] 3 varieties, Combes & Co., Hat, value 10s—Mr Bentley. Geraniums, [double] 3 varieties, W. Adair Silk Umbrella, 10s (id—Mr Bentley. Geraniums, [any kinds] 6 varieties, 5s— Dr Pollen. Pelargoniums, 2 varieties, do. 4 varieties, Mr. D. Page’s Prize, £l—Mr Finn. A Pot Plants, 6 varieties, Mr. S. Stevenson’s Prize, 10s—Mr Bentley. Pot Plants [grown by ladies] 4 vareties, Mr. J. East’s Prize, China Flower Pots—Mrs Sherriff. Plants not Necessarily in Bloom. Ferns, [New Zealand] 8 varieties, Mr. G. F. Butts Prize, value 10s—Mrs Woon. Ferns, [Exotic] 8 varieties, Capt. Tucker’s Prize, 10s—Mr Bentley. Ornamental Foliage Plants other than Begonias, Ist prize 15s ; 2nd prize, 7s ; 8. Locke Esq., £1 Is—Mr Bentley. Geraniums, [tricolor] 3 varieties, ss—Dr Geraniums, [bicolor] 3 varieties, ss—Mr Bentley. Begonias, 6 varieties, 7s 6d—lst prize, Mr Bentley ; 2nd prize, Dr Pollen. Begonias, 3 varieties, ss—Mr Bentley. Musk, 1 plant, [Mr. Stubb’s Prize] Pair of Vases 10s—Mr File. New or Rare Plants, 3 varieties, M. Price, R.M., 10s 6d—Mr Bentley. Mr. A. McDonald’s Prize of £1 Is., for Best Single Fuchsia, ss—Mr Bentley. Best Double Fuchsia, 6s—Dr Pullen. Handsomest Pot Plant in Bloom, 10s—Mr Bentley. Best collection, not less than 12 nor more than 24, Mason Bros., Rusticated Flo we r Vase, 35s —Mr Bentley.

CLASS 11. Cut Flowers : [Green leaves exhibited with the bloom will be allowed.] Carnations or Picotees [2 of each sortjWJ varieties, [J. W. Matthews’ Esq.] Prize 10s-— Miss Skeet. Gladiolus, 6 varieties, 7s 6d—l. 0. Taylor. Gladiolus, 3 varieties, ss—Ven. Archdeacon Williams. Larkspur, 4 varieties, 3s—Mrs Skeet. Pentsomons, 6 varieties, ss—Mr Bentley. Petunias, [single] 4 var., 3s—Mr Bentley. Pansies, 6 varieties, ss—J. O’Meara. Phlox, 3 varieties, ss—Mr Bentley. Mr. W. K. Chamber’s Prize of £i Is, for Verbenas, [2 each sort] 6 varieties ss—Mr I. C. Taylor. Geraniums, [double] 3 varieties, ss—Mr Bousfield, Fuchsia, [4 sprays of, each] 6 varieties, Mr Jas. Browne Book, 10s—Mr W. W. Smith. Best Collection Cut Flowers, separately arranged, Mr. F, 11. Cox’s Prize—lst, W. W. Smith ; 2nd, Mr Sherriff. Bouquet, [Bridal] Croll <k Ingle, Ladies’ Whip—Miss Skeet; 2nd, Ven. Archdeacon Williams. Bouquet [ha’’] not more than 6in., Mr. Lewis’ Bout) 111 >lder—lst, Miss Skeet ; 2nd Miss Best Dressed Flower Stand, 10s, Dr. Pollen’s Prize, £l—lst, Miss Williams ; 2nd, Mrs C. P. Brown. Children’s Prizes—Miss Mountford, Ist ; Miss Matthews, 2nd.

CLASS 111. Fruit, Grown by Exhibitors. Currants, [best collection] Mr. Sigley, set of Tinware, 10s.—Bull. Cherries, [plate of 25] Mr. M. Bridle, 10s 6d.—Barrie. J. W. Johnson Esq., Prize, £1 Is. Strawberries, [by flavor] 5s. —Parker. Strawberries, [size] 6s.—Parker. Strawberries, [best collection] 10s.—Parker Gooseberries, [plate of 25] ss.—Bull. Gooseberries, [best eollectirn] 10s. —Bull. Raspberries, ss.—Bull. Best Collection Fruit, Mr T. Adams, Book, 10s.—Parker. Lemons, plate of 3, 3s.—Adams. Honey in Bottle, (not less than 11b) Mr G. Johnson, 1 dozen Ale or Stout. —Warren. Honey in Comb, Mr. Common’s Special Prize—Mr Adams. Last Season’s Jam in jars not less than 11b, Prize, W. F. Crawford Esq., 2 dozen ale— Mrs Allen, ; Miss Nesbitt, 2nd. Tomato Sauce —Mrs Bond, commended. Pickles- —teri npon. mended.