Summing up the 73rd Waimarino A&P Show

Waimarino Bulletin, Volume 1, Issue 37, 6 March 1984, Page 11

Summing up the 73rd Waimarino A&P Show

The following is a summary of the agricuitural, horticultural and home industries sections at the 73rd annual Waimarino A&P Show held on 18 February 1984. Total entries in these sections amounted to 720 and the organisers were most grateful for the sponsorship provided by BNZ Finance Ltd (all classes except cooking) and the Alabaster family of Raetihi. Agricuitural Thirty five classes attracted 156 entries but the children's section had only 16 entries, a marked decline since 1979 when there were 54 entries. Exhibits were of a high quality. Fulton Memorial cup was won by G. Allerby. Children's cup winner was Dale Haitana. Cooking and Preserves T wenty one classes having 102 entries and once again ^je children's section was ^®orly supported with 9 entries. Competition was strong with Mrs B. Harding (Waiouru) coming out on top.

Handcraft Twenty five classes, 51 entries. Some excellent work in the skeins of homespun wool some of which were beautifully dyed. Knitting in homespun wool was very good. In the homespun area Mrs May Bright excelled but was pressed by the other six exhibitors. Not a lot of work presented in the hand and machine knitting classes but the entries were spread among quite a number of competitors most of whom gained prizes. Very little tapestry but the work was beautiful. All Form 1 and 2 children go to manual classes and many continue with cooking and handcraft at high school. Both parents and teachers know there are many talented teenagers so why are they not interested in the show? Floral Art Nine classes divided into Open, Novice and Beginners attracted 42 entries. Outstanding arrangements by June O'Neill and Carolyn

McCoubrie resulted in a tie for the Garden Club Challenge Points Cup. The Perpetual Rosebowl for the outstanding arrangement was taken out by June O'Neill. It did not pass unnoticed that in one class Clare O'Neill in gaining second, headed off her mother. Sisters Catherine and Lauren Donaldson did best in the novice section and will not be long in moving up to Open class to challenge their mother. Beginners class was dominated by Colleen Boswell and Robyn Minchinton. Primary School floral art saw Katie Proude, Alison and Michelle Berry, Deborah Tebay, Adam Haitana and Trudi gaining firsts. Flowers Three hundred and eighty six entries in the 86 classes with a decrease in Gladioli entries due to poor flowering weather and an increase in Chrysanthemums. Notable this year for the fact that all but two of the exhibitors came from within the Waimarino area. Quality of blooms were excellent in all except Gladioli classes and it was obvious that rose growers were having problems with hot, humid weather conditions. Judge Mrs Margaret Brewer (Wanganui) was most impressed with the quality and had to take some time in finalising the placings. She gave some advice in changes to classes and suggested that some time be given to novice growers in how to present their exhibits. Garden Club Perpetual Trophy was won by Mrs B. Harding. Raetihi Garden Club Trophy was won by Mrs P. Chambers. Others to score well were K. Pearson (Dahlias), L. Proude, C. Spiers and J. Tod (Cut flowers), T. Francis (Chrysanthemums), Mrs E. Briggs (Ohakune) making her first appearance at the Show did well to fill

second place in the vegetable section. Garden Club and Floral Art Club members provided

welcome refreshments for Judges and stewards and were very much appreciated. Altogether a good show.