SHOW NOTES.

Shannon News, 2 December 1921, Page 3

SHOW NOTES.

POINTS PRIZE WINNERS. The Levin Horticultural Society has every reason to be satisfied with the issue of its Vice-Regal show on Monday. In endeavouring to complete in eleven hours the- peparations that usually take two days, the committee set itself a difficult task, but so much enthusiasm and cordial co-operation was thrown into the work that the show was actually ready for gubernatorial inspection in ten hours. At midnight on Sunday a start was made to remove the seats from the Century Hall and erect' the staging. By six o'clock the main part of this work was finished', the stands draped and the vases ready lor the first exhibits at 7 a.m. Thereafter the hall resembled the interior of a beehive. Order was gradually evolved out of chaos, and at 10 o'clock the transformation was complete, and only the finishing touches were needed to convert the hall into a. veritable bovver of beauty, that not only delighted their Excellencies but gave pleasure to over 1000 visitors throughout the day. The achievement was one upon which the officers, stewards and other workers, as well as the exhibitors, might well be proud. Their reward lies in the many expressions of public appreciation given utterance to throughout the day, as well as the substantial support accorded the show. The door takings amounted to about £4O, while the tea rooms were responsible for a net return of £l3 17s 7cl. Other sources of revenue will bring the total proceds up to nearly £BO, though against that extra expense was incurred in various directions. The hall was uncomfortably crowded in the afternoon and evening, making it a matter of difficulty to view the exhibits properly. Many visitors regard the show as a pleasant rendezvous socially, as well as an opportunity of seeing what the town and district is capable of hortioulturally. Under these circumstances the Society will have to consider the question of more floor space. At present the cul blooms and vegetables have to be so closely staged that judging is difficult and the effect lost. Sixteen decorated tables crowded together on the stage hardly do justice fo the competitors and prevent the visitors from comparing them. A special exhibit that received much admiring attention was the beaten brass and copper ware—the work of Mrs I. Rawson, of Levin. A large name-plate, was the centra-1 item, while there were a number of trays and smaller articles of. artistic and beautiful design. This handicraft is one which amateurs do not often take

up, tout Mrs Rawson combines fine craftsmanship with rare artistic perceptions.

All the judges spoke highly of the

quality of the .various departments. Miss Lawson and Mrs Hamerton (Wei-1

lington), who judged the needlework, considered it a. very fine display indeed, but suggested several additions to the schedule. Miss Murray, at Wellington, was equally enthusiastic in regard to the. decorative classes* and found it very difficult to separate the entries. She awarded numerous merit cards in the bigger classes. Mr and Mrs J. J. Whitehad, of Palmerston, dealt with the cookery and preserves. Mr Whitehead is an experienced judge and acknowledged authority, and he made some interesting comments on the exhibits. He pointed out several otherwise excellent entries that disqualified themselves through being baked in dirty tins. The sixteen family cakes were very even, the first and second prize exhibits being especialy good. The bread was also excellent, the first prize brown loaf being a particularly good sample. The second prize jam roll would have scored higher if it had not been cooked too much. Mr Whitehead said that, in all his experienco, he had never seen better sweets than the first prize-takers. They quite equalled anything made by the best trade manufacturers. He was not very enthusiastic about the pastry, but said the bottled fruit was very good, but not enough of it. He also praised the sponge cakes. A fruitful subject of discussion amongst, exhibitors has been the ingredients of the exhibits known as a Victoria sandwich. Mr Whitehead said the only components used by the trade were eggs, sugar and flour, and perhaps a little essence, r.nd that should not leave room ''or difference of opinion. He suggested the inclusion of a class next year "or a richer cake than that provided for under "Family Cake," to be made 1o ! a given recipe. He would be glad to I offer a half-guinea prize for such a class. POINTS PRIZES. Cut Blooms (Mrs Kebbell's special).— A. Wilson (Otaki) 26 points; P. W. Goldsmith, 17; Mrs J. Johnson, 16. Decorative (Mrs T. Bevan's special). Mrs W. M. Clark, 18 points; Mrs B. R. Gardener, li points; Miss A. Kebbell, 9 points. Vegetables.—H. Adsett (Otaki) and D. McKain, 10 points each. Cookery and Preserves (Mr Matheson's special).—Mrs P. W. Goldsmith, 15 points; Mrs J. Greggan, 11 points. Needlework (Mr W. M. Clark's special).—Mrs J. Greggan, 19 points; Mrs W. J. Kirk, 12 points. The following awards in the needlework section were omitted from yesterday's prize-list:— Nightgown top or camisole, best I cotton finished. In this class some ' entries were attached to the garments and others simply the top. The judge divided the seven entries into two classes and awarded prizes as follows: Class 180-Mrs P. W. Goldsmith 1, Miss M. Mitchell 2 and 3. Class 180a—Mrs F. C. Leramon 1, Mrs R. ! Robinson 2, Mrs Greggan 3. Tray 'cloth: Mrs Pilcher 1 and 2„ Mrs F. Kilmister 3. Embroidery, white eyelet: Mrs Kirk 1, two entries. Embroidery, silk: Miss Churcher 1, Mrs Kirk 2, Miss Milnes 3. Cushion, most artistic: Mrs Kirk 1. Cushion, pen painted: Miss V. Amis 1. "Cushion, oil painted: Miss V. Arcus 1, Mrs Kirk 2, three entries. Cushion, worked: Miss M. Parsons 1, Miss Milnes 2. four entries. Collection of fancy work, washable: Miss Churcher 1, Mrs Kirk 2, five entries, Colection fancy work: Miss Churcher 1, Mrs L. H. Martin v.h.c A feature of the show was the strong support received from outside centres A very large number of Otaki exhibitors came forward and scored consistently. Several Shannon contributors also appear on the prize list, and there were one or two from further afield.