VARIETY IN BLOOMS

Taranaki Daily News, 19 November 1926, Page 2

VARIETY IN BLOOMS

ST. MARY’S ROSE SHOW - SPLENDID DISPLAY. Despite the inclemency of the weather lately, yesterday afternoon afforded a welcome change. The afternoon sun streamed brightly through the windows of iSt. Mary's flail anti served but to enhance the natural beauty of the many roses and flower# tastefully displayed at St. Mary's rose show. “A thing of beauty,” says Keats, "is a joy for ever,” and truly the beauty and the fragrance of the floral display must have gladdened the hearts of the many who availed themselves of the privilege of viewing the show.’ There was a beautiful array of all species of seasonable blooms, while the exhibits in the decorative classes were most praiseworthy. Tile attendance during the afternoon was good. The Mayor (Mr. F. E. Wilson) formally declared the show open at 2 p.m. He made mention of the pleasure it afforded him. as one of the last of his official functions, to open such a fine show and he congratulated the committee on their effort. It had been said in the past that Taranaki soil was unsuitable for rose growing, but he thought the display that afternoon gave ample proof to the contrary. The benefit of such a show as this, he considered, was to arouse that spirit of friendly competition and enthusiasm so essential to the success of such a function. He hoped that success would attend the praiseworthy efforts of the ladies who had worked so hard in the interests of the show. The beautiful display of blooms exhibited by Mrs. Ellerm gained recognition by being awarded first and a special prize. Bowls of gerbera, maple, hydrangea, delphiniums and cinerarias added to the striking beauty of the display. The judge regarded the exhibit as one of the beet private exhibits of cut flowers even shown in New Plymouth. The non-competitive exhibitors were Miss Pelham, whose display of general garden flowers, chief of which were amalea mollis, petunias and roses, made a fine display; Miss A. Hempton, who also had a splendid exhibit of general garden blooms; Mrs. F. Messenger, the tasteful arrangement of whose beautiful flowers met with well-merited approval, and Mrs. T. C. List, who had a fine exhibit. The most noteworthy features of this exhibit were the shrub flowers, which were of outstanding quality, and the bowls of kalmia, azalea, mollis, lily of the valley and pansies. Mr. C. S. Sanders had a fine display which included rhododendrons, heaths and kalmia. Messrs Duncan and Davies’ display of flowering shrubs, chief amongst which were kalmias and rhododendrons, was up to their usual high standard. Considering the unfavourable weather renditions, the quality of the blooms entered in the competitions for named roses was surprising, and reflected great credit upon the entrants for the care and attention which they must have bestowed upon the cultivation of such splendid blooms. The champion rose was a well-formed Harry Kirk, exhibited by Mr. C. H. Choker, Mesdaines Sutherland*(lnglewood) ■ and Birdling (Waitara) officiated as judges of the decorated tables and decorated mantels. Mr. V. C. Davies judged the cut flowers. The produce stall was conducted by members of St. Mary’s choir, the sweets stall by members of the Bible Class, and Sunday School, the sewing stall by the Ladies’ Guild, and the flower stall by Mesdaines R. Brewster, McWilliam and G. List, Afternoon tea was in the capable hands of Miss Godfrey, Miss Curtis and helpers. The prize list was as follows: Best white rose, one bloom.—Miss Washer, 1,2 and 3. Best red rose, one bloom. —Mliss Washer 1, Miss Pelham 2. Roses, red, three blooms, distinct. — C. H. Croker 1 and 2. Best cream or yellow, one bloom.— Mrs. Messenger 1, Mrs. S. Shaw 2, Mrs. Watson h.c. Cream or yellow, three blooms. —C. H Croker 1. Best pink, one bloom.—Miss Washer 1, Miss Ruebe 2. C. H. Croker h.c. Pink, three blooms, distinct.—C. H. Croker 1. Six blooms, distinct.—C. H. Croker 1. Three, climbing varieties, six blooms.— Miss Washer 1. Three distinct single varieties. —C. H. Croker 1 and special. Miss Washer 2. Tea roses, three distinct varieties. — Miss Pelham 1. One bloom, any variety.—Miss Washer I, Miss Pelham 2, C. H. Croker h.c. Three blooms, any distinct varieties.— C. H. Croker 1, Miss Washer 2. Six blooms, any distinct varieties.— C. H. Croker 1, Miss Washer 2, Miss Pelham h.c. Bowl flowers, any foliage.—'Mrs. Hobbs I, Mrs. Harvie 2, Miss Curtis 3. Basket roses—Mrs. Harvie 1. Best two buttonholes, over 12. —Miss J. Smith 1, Miss E. Royce 2, Master Murgatroyd 3. „est two buttonholes, under 12.—Miss B Davies 1, Miss P. Mangham 2, Miss W. Mangham 3. Decorated tables—Miss J. Curtis 1, Miss A. Ruebe 2, Mrs. A. S. Clark 3. Decorated mantels.—Mrs. Hobbs 1, Miss J. Curtis 2, Mrs. V. C. Davies 3. Best arranged basket, under 16. Miss W. Mangham 1, Miss E. Royce 2, Miss J. Anstis 3. Most effective vase, under IG.—‘Miss L. Shoemark 1.