Ladies' Benevolent Society.

Thames Star, Volume VII, Issue 2144, 17 November 1875, Page 2

Ladies' Benevolent Society.

ANNUAL FLOWER SHOW.

The Sixth Annual Flower Show of the Hauraki Ladies' Benevolent Society took place to-day in the Academy of Music. The entries were unusually large—more so in fact, we believe, than on any previous occasion—and the exhibits, both those sent for competition and those merely lent to heighten the general effect, were, notwithstanding the rain, fully equal if not superior to those formerly sent. No doubt this increase in-number is due to the judicious alteration the committee made in not charging any entrance fee for exhibits, thereby inducing many to compete who would not otherwise bave done so. The room was laid out with tables in the form of a trident. One table, running along the top of the room parallel with the stage, was for exhibits: sent not for competition, but merely as exhibits. Conspicuous among these were nine beautiful dark roses. ?ent by Mr P. W. Donnelly, some choice geraniums and roses sent by Mr Horsbrugh, two moss baskets of flowers, vases of flowers and ferns, &c. The prongs of the trident, if we may so call the arrangement of tables, were composed of two tables each. The upper table of the right prong (on entering) was for flowers offered for special prizes, such as roses, geraniums, &c; of these the most conspicuous were.the roses, which were very beautiful. The lower table was given up to vegetables, which were both largo andfine. Some strawberries and peas were remarkable for their size. On this table was also a basket of fruit and vegetables grown entirely by Miss Flora Macdonald, which re"fleeted great credit on so young a horiculturist. The upper of the middle line of tables was set apart for bouquets, which were.many in number and varied in character—one in particular of simple white flowers and green maiden hair ferns" being —to our fancy—very talcing. On the lower of the middle tables were the ferns, including a case of these, roots and all, which was much admired, as also was a large and very fine cactus exhibited by Mr W. H. Gassing The plants in pots were on the left hand side upper table. A Japonica Spirea was among the number of these, and , a very choice Azalea also claims notice; a white-leafed geranium exhibited under (to floriculturists) the novel name of " The Caroline" added another in name if not in species to the already large list of these flowers. The lower table was chiefly remarkable for the very fine baskets of vegetables deposited on it. The room was handsomely decorated with ferns, the work, we believe, of Messrs Bull and Honiss; and the entire arrangements made for the display of exhibits, which

were most satisfactory, were carried out by Mcsdames Macdonald, Bull, Wilkinson, andHoniss. At twelveo'clocktheroomwas cleared of exhibitors to enable the judges to go on with the task of awarding the prizes, which, considering how very nearly equal some of the exhibits were in point of merit, must have been a task of more than ordinary difficulty. The following is a list of prizes, offered and the names ofthe successful competitors :—

The Beat-arranged Bouquet. — lit prize, Antimacassar; 2nd do, Cushion; special .prize.for Amateurs, a Cosey , „.,.,,: . ,.v , ,,...,,.. Ist prize, W. C. Tararu; 2nd prize, Mr Wilson; special prize for Amateurs, Mrs G. Bull. The Choicest Bouquet. — Ist prize, a Cusnjpn; 2nd do, a Book. Ist prize, Mrs Manton; 2nd do, Mr Stilwell; special prize (Bridal Bouquet) Mr Cleary. The Best Basket Flowers.—lst prize, a Book; 2nd do, a Book. Ist prize, Miss Vernon; 2nd do, Mr Wilkinson.

The Beet Cut Roses.—lsr prize, a Cosey, Mat, and Holder; 2nd do, a Casket Ist prise, W; 0., Tararu; 2nd do, Mr Stilwell; 3rd do, Mr J. B. Steedman; 4th do, Mrs Litchfield. . The Best Cat Eoscbias.—lst prize, a Book ; 2nd do, Bottle Eau de Cologne h Ist prize, W. C, Tararu; 2nd do, J. B. Stoney; 3r.d do, Mrs Manton. The Best Carnations—lst prize, an Antimacassar ; 2nd do, a Book lsfc prize, Mr Wi J; Hall; 2nd do, Mrs Litchfield. . The best Verbenas.— Ist prize, Vinaigrette; 2nddo,.Toilet Mats- ; : • : Ist prize, Miss K. Hill; 2nd do, Mr W. J.Hall. » The. Best Collection of Ferns.—lst prize, a Table; 2nd do, Mats

lst-pnize, Mr Bright; 2nd do, Miss Allom; 3rd do, Miss Vemon. The Best Cactus.—lst prize, a Book; 2nd do, a Knife

Ist prize, Mrs G-. Bull; 2nd do, Mrs Heron ; 3rd do, Mrs Macdonald. The Best Larlcspurs.—let prize, a book; 2nd do, a Book-slide . . : . Ist prize, Mrs Litchfield ;* 2nd do, Mrs Litclineld. .:•..... The Best Double Stocks.—lst prize, Antimacassai; 2nd do, Box Figs \ Prize, Mrs Heroh. The Best Cut Geraniums.—lst prize, a Picture; 2nd do, a Cake ' Owing to competitors hairing for the most part mixed up geraniumV with Pelargoniufus, it wa*s found necessary to divide the class. Geraniums, prize, Mr W. J. Hall; Pelargoniums, Ist prize, Mr Stilwell; 2nd prize, Mr W.J.^lall. • The Best variety of Plants.-;—l&t prize, Silver Watch; 2 do, a Book Ist prize, Mrs Gr. Bulli 2nd, Mrs Litchfield. -. The Rarest Plant.—lst Prize, Slippers ; 2nd do, Vinaigrette - : Ist prize, Mrs Q, Bull (Acalypha Marginata); 2nd, Mrs Gr. Bull (Begonia Kex). Special election on account of its rarity, " The Caroline Gferanium," Mr Dowlass. ""'■• -i The Best Ixia and CHadiola. —Special prize, a Satchel Ist prize, W. C.^Tararu; 2nd do, Mr Adams. • ; * . The Best Design of Flowers.—Special prize, Jar of Ginger Prize, Mrs Gv Bull. The "Beat collection of Vegetables .—lst prize, Bread Platter; 2nd do, Bread Knifo ; 3rd do, Photograph Frames, : Ist prize, Mrs Macdonald; 2nd do, Mr Constant; 3rd do. Master Lush ; special prize, Miss Macdonald. The Best Potatoes. —Ist prize, Table Lamp; 2nd, do, Table Lamp; 3rd do, Lamp Ist prize, Harris; 2nd do, —- Gordon; 3rd do, Mr Bright; 4th do, J. Bull; sth do,->-Driver. ■

The Best Cabbage.—lst prize, Cruet; 2nd do, Bottle French Plums Ist prize Mr Arns; 2nd do, Mr West; 3rd, — Harris. The Best Cauliflower.—lst prize, Ifory Rule; 2nd do,Brush and Comb : Ist prize, Mr West; 2nd, — Harrii. The Best Peas.—lst prize, Piece of Print 5 2nd do, a Book 5 3rd do, Child's Dress Ist prize, Mr Chapman; 2ad do, Mrs Macdonald ; 3rd do, Harris The Best Turnips.—lst priz«, a Haiiock 5 2nd do, Egg Cups ; 3rd do, Baby's Bootees Prize, Mrs Macdonald V

The Best Carrots.—'lst prize, Child's Dress; 2ad do, Box Soap - Prize, Mrs Macdonald The Best Qnions. — Ist prize, Child's Boots j 2nd do, Apron j 3rd do, apron Ist prize, Harris; 2nd do, J. Bull: 3rd do, Mrs Macdonald The Best Cucumber.^-lst prize, Brush; 2nd do, Bottle French Plums 1 No competition. The Best Rhubarb.—ißt prize, Wedding Cake; 2nd do, a Hat 3 3rd do, Bottle Eau de Cologne " ' .•■■•: Ist prize, W. Frioker; 2nd do, W. Constant; 3rd do, Gordon. The .Best Strawberries. —Ist prize, Antimacassar; 2nd do, Butter Print. Ist prize, Mr Chapman; 2nd do, Mr Wilson. , ■ : The. .Best Gooseberries-— Ist prize, a Bracket; 2nd do, Bottle Eau de Cologne. Prize, Mr J. Bull.