WHITELEY HALL FLOWER SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 September 1917, Page 6

WHITELEY HALL FLOWER SHOW.

m A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY. The annual show of spring flowers and pot plants at Whiteley Hall has for years past been considered one of the features of the season, and has always attracted numerous admiring visitors. But previous exhibitions, excellent .13 they have been, were quite eclipsed by the magnificent display thrown open to the public yesterday," a display which is certainly the best of its kind that New i Plymouth, and perhaps even Taranaki, has yet known. The hall presents the appearance of a veritable fairyland; the staging of the exhibits has been most artistically accomplished, and the arrangements generally are such that the effect produced must' at once captivate all lovers of floral beauty. A notable circumstance in connection with the show is that the competitive entries are few in number, the wealth of splendid blooms that adorns the side benches and centre tables having been sent for exhibition only. This is a feature upon which the promoters may heartily congratulate themselves, since it shows how willingly and readily Taranaki growers respond when invited, if only tacitly, to support the object for which the show is held, that object, being the augmentation of the church funds. One of the largest exhibitors is Mr. Robert Gibson, who shows over a hundred vases of daffodils. In Long Trumpets he has Robert Sydenhams, Outposts, Seraphims, Lord Roberts; in Giant Leedsii be has Chrystal Queens. Venuses T.evonias (shown for the first time in New Plymouth), Southern Gems, White Queens, Longfellows, Judiths and Wendys (shown for the first time in New Zealand), and in Incomparable?, he has Tamerlaincs, Gloria Mundi, F'eetwir.ir, King Cups, Bariis, Circlets and Cloughs. These are not all the varieties in his very fine and imposing collection, but sufficient have been named to give some idea of its comprehensive nature. Mr. J. Gibson, of Frankley road, has the most artistically arranged stand in the show. It is centred by a giant bowl of yellow Kowhai, while arches and epergnes of flowers add greatly to the Direct. Among the beautiful daffodils shown are Buttercups, Mermaids, Venuses, Lord Kitcheners, Lord Roberts, Mohicans and a host of others all tastefully relieved by sprays of asparagus. F. Cooper, Ltd., of the Hutt, have kindly sent from their nurseries about 70 vases of lovely blooms, which include polyanthi, tulips, and cyclamens. Among the other exhibitors who deserve special mention are Miss Millie Arnold (an artistically arranged exhibit of daffodils, interspersed with fern and asparagus); Mrs. A. Rock (a collection of spring flowers, including narcissi, violets, primroses and freesias); Mr. C. Goodson, Hawera (a fine collection, a special feature being the grower's own seeding daffodils); Mr. C. Sanders, Westown (collection of flowering shrubs and heaths); Mrs. J. Wheeler. Vogeltown (a nice collection of daffodils, heaths, violets and flowering shrubs); Mr. T. French, Waitara (varied collection of daffodils); Mrs. Walker. Ngaere; Mr. V. Griffiths, Vogeltown; Misses Corney, Frankleigh Park; A. T. Moore, Vogeltown: Mrs. Walker, New Plymouth; Mrs McGahey; and Miss Collis.

The following are the stallholders:— Produce and sweets—Mesdames Morey and Sharp; Misses Ramson and Kennett. Aprons, bags and caps.—Mesdames Sinclair, Armstrong, Collis and N. Okey. Fancy goods.—Mesdames Carter, 11. White.J. White, Short and Gibson. Afternoon tea.—Mrs. T. G. Sole, and a number of young lady assistants. The competitions resulted as follows, Mesdames Newman and Cock judging the table decorations and Mr. C. Goodson the childrens' buttonholes: Table decorations—Mrs. N. Allen 1, Miss Irene Frethey 2. Buttonholes: Girls under 10—Marjorie Boon 1; girls over 10—Madge Healy 2; boys over 10—Cecil McGahey. The opening ceremony was performed at 2.30 p.m. by the Mayoress. In the evening a glee party, consisting of members of the church choir, with assistance from other churches in the cirnit, organised by Misses Collis and Council, and conducted by Mr A. Gray, sang clees and choruses, which were greatly appreciated. The piano used was kindly lent by Mrs. Mary Sutherland. The show was largely attended in the afternoon, there being over 200 visitors, and in the evening the hall was crowded. It will be open again this afternoon and to-night.