GERALDINE FLORAL AND HORTI CUTURAL SHOW.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2457, 28 January 1893, Page 2

GERALDINE FLORAL AND HORTI CUTURAL SHOW.

Patrons —A. E. G. Rhodes, Esq., M.H.R., C. G. Tripp, Esq., Rev. A. B. Todd, M. C. Orbell, Esq., H. B. Webster, Esq., Rev. Father Treacy, Rev. J. Preston. President—Dr R. Fish. Vice-Pre-sidents—Messrs Winstone, Orbell, and Webster. Secretary—Mr A. Fisher. Treasurer —Mr Winstone. Commiteee —Messrs A. E. Hawkins, J. Pizzey, W. H. Walton, J. H. Dean, C. Pye, J. M. Sutherland. Auditors —Mr J. W. Pye, Mr B. R. Macdonald. Judges —Flowers : Messrs Lewis, Harney, Knowles. Fruit and Vegetables : Messrs Langdon and C. Green. Fancy Work, Bread and cakes: Mesdames M. C. Orbell, Winstone, Angus Macdonald. Jams: Mesdames Fish and Hawkins. Class Stewards: Messrs J. Pye, Batty, and S. Chapman

The Geraldine Floral and Horticultural Society’s Show came off yesterday in the Volunteer Hall, when, owing to the show being held on Friday instead of the usual Thursday half-holiday, there were not so many present at the opening as last year. The judges finished their work in good time, and the show was formaly opened by Dr Fish at 3 p.m. The arrangements this year eclipsed any of the Society’s past shows. Everything was arranged without a single hitch or mistake. This is mainly owing to the fact that entries were not so numerous, and more room was given to the exhibits, which not only facilitated the work of the secretary and judges, but also showed the exhibits oft’ with better effect than when crammed on top of each other, upon the whole, we can safely say that, although the backwardness of the season and the postponement were greatly against the show being held at all, the committee have done well, and much better than was expected. The secretary, Mr Fisher, had his work much lightened this year, and as usual, gave satisfaction to everyone. The judges, after their part of the work was got through, adjourned to the Crown Hotel, where luncheon was provided for them by the Committee. The refreshment stall was under the charge of Mesdames J. W. Dean and Boughton, and did good business during the afternoon and evening. ROT PLANTS. Pot plants this season were better in every respect than last year, and were a splendid collection. In Class A, Gardeners, Mr G. H. Patrick secured Mr A. E. G. Rhodes’ prize for first honours, and Mrs J. Pye got first for the best collection of native ferns. There was more competition in the Amateur Class, pot plants. In fact, the , amateurs appear to have beaten the gardeners altogether this year in everything. Mr R. H. Pearpoint, in pot plants, was a very prominent prize-taker. ’ He also showed, for exhibition only, a nice lot of pot plants. Li petunias Mr H. Clinch got first, and Mr Pearpoint ' second; although Mr Patrick, who was third, had better plants than any of them, his flowers were inferior, so he had to give way to the others. The prize for fuchsia, three plants, varieties, went to ; Mr H. Clinch, with Mr Patrick second. Mr Pearpoint was disqualified for having two specimens alike in his collection. The collections of ferns this year were very rare and creditable. Some fine specimens of Todea Superbas and Maidenhair were exhibited. Mr Crafer had on exhibition only a i.fine box of “ Love lies bleeding,” and Mr M. Coombs a box of hollyhocks. Mr Pearpoint carried off the special prize for plants staged for effect. CUT FLOWERS AND BOQUBTS. This year surpassed any of previous years. They were better in variety and quality, and, considering the lateness of the season, were a marveleously good collection. Roses, verbenas, stocks, carnations, and gladoli were in splendid bloom. In bouquets, Miss Stouehouse was again to the fore. Miss Dunlop entered this year and carried oft’ a few of the prizes, and got a first for a table decoration, as did also Miss Stonehouse. FRUIT. Fruit this year was out of the question altogether. It is a peculiar fact that we never have two good seasons of fruit running consecutively. Last year there was an abundance of fruit, and this was one of ihe chief features of last year’s show, but this year there was scarcely any. In the Gardeners’ Class there were only four of the prizes entered for, For strawberries there was one entry, from Mrs J. Pye, but most of her strawberries were green, although fairly good specimens. Raspberries were the only fruit that made any show at all. There was one entry in the Gardeners’ Class and two entries in the Amateur Class. There was only one entry for white currants in the Amateur Class and two for apricots, and Gardeners did not enter at all for these. Plums and greengages were not bad, but there was no competition whatever. Mr Coombs had on exhibition only a plate of 5 ripe peaches, and a plate of tomatoes in rather forward condition. Mrs J. H. Dean also had on exhibition some fine specimens of cooking and eating apples, and Mr H. B. Webster also showed some apples. * VEGETABLES. The show of vegetables waif an excellent one, but in the Gardeners class there was little or no competition, Mr M. Coombs being almost the only one entering, and in every case but three was the prize taker. Mr E. McKenzie, gardener for Mr H. B. Webster entered with some splendid collections of vegetables, and well deserved the prizes he got. Potatoes, onions, turnips, carrots, red cabbages, cucumbers, marrows, and cabbages, were greatly admired by the judges, who pronounced them as being of splendid growth. Mr John Pye had on exhibition only, a box of several varieties of potatoes and a bath kidney potatoe, 10 inches in xrt.h, and dug on April Ist, 1891. It a state, and quite h- H. ‘B»nghei. HMMW > cl ouriOt liXfc , ii j \df>» large specimen of 9 cabbage and Mi Coombs showed SIX HfiS'Jooking artichokes. There was very kem> competition in the Amateur Class 111 tables. FOR EXHBITION ONLY, Mr Greenall showed three magnificent cheeses, which were highly commended by the judges. Miss Bruce (Temuka) exhibited a beautiful patch-work quilt, with a deep dark-blue plush border, a brilliant piece of work. Mr J. J. McOaskey had on view four enlargements of photos of local townsmen and others. 'Mr 0. E, fjeatley had hung up two crayon drawings of his own, and Miss Kate McShano showed a ryap of New Zealand, a clever specimen of her own work, 1 MISCELLAtfEOi/S. There were four entries this yea? for the best cottage garden in the township, i and the first prize went to Mrs Baughen. 1 Four is the largest number of entries for . this the society has ever had. There was ■ not much competition for butter, but the bread aud currant cakes bad more entries. ' The judges unanimously gave their ; verdict iu favour of Mr Fisher’3 .herbal beer,} . j