WHITELEY FLOWER SHOW.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 September 1919, Page 7

WHITELEY FLOWER SHOW.

-''■ A SPLENDID DISPLAY. ' The annual show of spring flowers held under the auspices of the Whiteley Memorial Church was opened yesterday afternoon and for excellence of display it is safe to say the show is easily the best yet held. The hall presents a very attractive appearance, the blooms being very well staged, and the few stalls placed about the building add to the attractiveness of the exhibition, which, since its inception a few years ago, has grown with remarkable pace and success, uittil it has become one of the best spring shows in the Dominion from the point of view of the financial returns. The' first year the function took place as a show proper the returns amounted to £lO, while last year the Church. Trust Account benefited to the extent of about £l6O.

In opening the show yesterday afternoon the deputy-mayor (Mr. W. A. Collis) referred to the growth of the show, and congratulated the original promoters and those who had from year to year joined in to make the effort the success it had been. Ho hoped the present show would eclipse in success its predecessors. The' Rev. J. Napier Milne, in thanking Mr. Collis for opening the show, expressed his own pleasure and surprise at the excellence of the display arranged. Throughout the afternoon there was a constant stream of visitors, the hall at times being uncomfortably crowded. The displays were very much admired and good business was done at the stalls. Of the displays for exhibition only, that of Mr. and Mrs. John Gibson was the most conspicuous and easily the largest. The stand contains a wellselected variety of most of the spring flowers, a large bowl of Scarlet Gem forming a striking centre-piece. A fine collection of giant Leedsii includes among others, fine specimens of Longfellow, Lord Kitchener, and the beautiful Bernardino and Salmonette. King Alfred was the most conspicuous of the trumpet variety, while others on exhibition were the Queen Alexandra, Gloria Muhdi, and Lemon Queen. The finest bloom on the stand was an excellent specimen of daffodil known as Brilliancy. Double stocks, and two large bowls of kowliai bloom completed a rare display.

Mr. S. W. Shaw has a small but choice (how of daffodils, amongst which stand conspicuously some splendidly grown hyacinth blooms, arranged among Which are maiden-hair fern and primulas.

Messrs Dimoan and Davies, Ltd., have a fine display of a wide lange of the season's blooms from their nurseries. There is a good collection of pot plants, and some excellent specimens of yellow, brown, and pink boronia. Some novelties in the narcissi shown include Great Warley and Alice Knigh,t's, and there is''also an abundance of shrubs, heaths, :(Hid hyacinths. „ Mr. J. H. Frethey ha 9 staged a fine exhibit, principally of narcissi, the more conspicuous being the M. ,T. Burkley, Lucifer, Queen of Spain, and Poeticus. jfyftae collection of native shrubs is also a' feature of the display. , Smaller displays are, made bv Mrs. A. ?T. Moore, Miss M. Arnold, Mr. John Ttoillie, Mr. Francis Morshead, and Mr. Loftus Rea, among the specimens shown being many fine blooms of the Lucifer, Wtiite Slave, Lemon Queen, Lord 'Roberts, Kittiwake, and Glory of Leiden. Considering the short time he has been in New Plymouth the display put up bv Mr. Bailffe is a most creditable one.

Miss Winnie Sole has a very nice display of E variety of fruit blossoms, as well as gome lochetialia, scented pink flanielias, and a Sne howl of kowhai bloom. THE COMPETITIONS.

The conspicuous and pleasing feature of this' sect'on is the competition for the Gibson Cup, whleh is essentially for amateurs, and the conditions are 12 named varieties (three blooms of each), so bulb to cost more than Is as per Dominion catalogues. Unfortunately the last condition was overlooked by several of the competitors, who were in consequence disqualified. The cup was won by Mr. Loftus Rea, who had two entries in, Mr. T. French (Waitara) being second. There were nine entries. Another prominent section was that for the Schools Shield, for the best collection of not less than 12 varieties of cdrrectlv named daffodils. There were fire entries, and the present holders (Caonui) Were again awarded first place. Other competitions were for decorated tables, fc**Vet», bowls, and Children's . buttonholes. Following are tlie results: Gibson Cup (9 entries).—Mr. Loftus Rea 1, Mr. T. French (Waitara) 2, State Schools Shield {5 entries). — Oaonai.l, Motonul 2. Bowls of flowers.—Aliss May Cannell 1, Miss.L, Reed 2, Mrs. C. McGahey 3. Basket of flowers (1 entry).—Miss L. Reed 1. Decorated tables, open class (3 entries).—Mrs. N. Allen 1, Mrs. J. Cibson 2, Miss I. FretKey 3. Novice class (3 entries) i Miss K." Downes (Bell Block) 1, Mis» N. Chatterton 2, Miss Pearl Horsivp 3. Children's buttonholes.—Over 10 fears, girls: Marjorie Boon 1, Maggie Gfibbons 2, Mavis Short 3. Boys: Cyril Field 1. Reggie Field 2. Under 10 years, girls: Francie Field 1, Mavis Field 2. THE STALLS.

The3e were conveniently pladed in tli ' corners of the building, the ladies > charge being as follow: Produce and sweets.—Mesdaraes Morey and Sharp, Misses iM. Cannell, fiuby Okey, and N. White. '\ Plain and . fancy goods.—Mesdameis Carter, Collis, G. H. White, W. Ambury, Grylls, and J. White, Art Stall (Whiteley Club).—Misses Sadler and Carter (2). The afternoon tea and, supper was managed by a large and energetic committee under the direction of Mrs. T. G. Sole. THE EVENING SESSION. The evening session was a most successful one. There was again a large attendance, a special feature of the Attraction being the musical programme, which was arranged by Miss Collis. The Items Included a number of selections by a small orchestra, some part songs by th« church choir, and a couple of solos, all of which were much appreciated and warmly applauded. To-night the orchestra, which will be somewhat strengthened, will be responsible for the music. .The total takings amounted to £93 17s Bd, tftooely, doors £2l 10s 9d, lollie stall £32 Ds 4d, art stall £ll 3s 3d, plain an<JLfancy stall £22 12s 9d, afternoon tea £5 15s 7d. ' The show will be opened this afternoon and evening, and to-morrow from 11 a.m. till 5 p.m. i