WELCOME HOME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 280, 26 November 1931, Page 13

WELCOME HOME.

A unique "welcome home" was arranged yesterday afternoon at the Lyceum Club when the gardening circle, under the acting-convener, Mrs. F. Howard, held, a flower show in honour of their convener, Mrs. J. W. Tattersfield, who has been travelling in Europe*. A great deal of trouble had been taken by the members, and the large , lounge was a bower of beauty, richness and colour, from the massed blooms placed on exhibition by members. Amongst them " were, some remarkable things, one of which was the seed pods of the cotton plant, brought by Miss Janet Murray from abroad. In- the card room were tables displaying examples of how to arrange a wedding table. The one in white and silver was chaste, while another in pale shades of pink was also very effective. A curious plant was the peppermint tree, shown by Mrs. H. H. Partridge, which on being touched emitted a strong perfume. Another was the salsify, shown by Mrs. W, Kay, often read aJbout, but rarely seen. A collection of remarkable plants like large pieces of wood brought by Mrs. Tolhurst from Honolulu and grown in water for the last three months, were sturdy and- big -leaved green things, projecting from the wood, except one which had foliage of deep purple red and green. Mrs. G. 11, Metcalfe had two curious plants, which she had gathered from the highest peak in Norfolk Island. Another remarkable display was pome double clematis in green and bronze tints. A fine spray of the Crotlaria laburnifolia, attracted much attention, as it was a splendid example of a pure green flower of the legume family, shaped like a large pea flower. At the other end of this room stood "A Mile of Sweet Pea's." This was an idea brought from Canada by Mrs. Bishop, who had arranged a window with plants in front and little casement curtains on. each .side into which one looked and there saw endless vistas of sweet peas stretching away indefinitely on each side, due to a clever arrangement of mirrors at the back and each end. A small white bell-likd flower, the. Irish heath, was shown by Mrs. Partridge. Though known in song and story it is not often seen growing. Inside the lounge there were some gorgeous displays. Inside the door was a large brown table massed" with scarlet manuka and scarlet bottle brash in profusion, with deep red roses and was sent by Mrs. H. H. Partridge. A striking bowl of native plants was the exhibit of Mrs. Morris. Mrs. Milson showed a beautifully harmonised exhibit of copper beech foliage, and deep apricot roses. Some fine large blue violas were shown by Mrs. Brookes, and a splendid floating bowl of water lilies by Mrs. Marsden Oaugliey; unfortunately the lack of sunshino had prevented the full range of blues being on exhibition. Some bronze violas, very rich and seen for the first time were shown by Mrs. de Cfuerrier. Mrs. H. T. S. Wilson had a very effective bowl of red manuka and double red', larkspur. Another effective display was made with a golden electric lamp lit and surrounded by bronze calceolarias, A golden bignonia' was also much admired, as was an effective miniature Japanese garden on a tray arranged by Miss i Goldie. Mrs. Whitley showed some fine cinerarias, including a brick-coloured one, Matador. An interesting exhibit of native plants was made by Mrs. Irwin, and Mrs. Liston Wilson also, had a fine exhibit. The flower show was opened by Mrs. B. Buttle, acting president, who welcomed Mrs. Tattersfield' to the platform, where she was presented by the gardening circle with a shower bouquet of red carnations and foliage, made by Mrs. Sehnauer, and a Victorian posy, made by Mra. Hewlett, was given to Mrs. Buttle. In speaking of the pleasure it gave the dub members to welcome back the convener of its successful gardening circle, Mrs, Buttle said that few had received such a unique welcome home, with the room packed with the finest of the season's flowers. , For, this Mrs. Buttle paid a tribute to Mrs. F. Howard, the acting convener, to whom,' she Bald, the success of the afternoon was so largely due. The decoration of the stage was done by Mrs. Sehnauer, who had made a large model of an aeroplane in- mauve and gold flowers, and Mrs. Clinch, Mrs. Stubbs, and Mrs. George Walker. The New- Zealand section was arranged by Mrs. I. W. Irwin, assisted by Mrs. Astley, Mrs. Anderson, and Mrs. Brookes. A very effective picture of an English cottage garden, which filled one corner of the room was the work of Mrs. Maemoran, assisted -by Mesdames H. T. S. Wilson, Hewlett, R. S. Whitley and Mies Wilson. The other corner was, a bower of roses, erected and decorated by Mrs. Ballantyne, assisted by Mrs. Cecil Whitney, Misses Goldie and Miss Livesey. .The committee who had worked so hard were Mesdames F. Howard, Douglas, Clinch, Anderson, Sehnauer, Irwin and Mac-, moran. Prizes Were won by Mrs. W. Johnston for the bridal tabic, and Mrs. H. T. S. Wilson for the bowl of flowers. There was a very large attendance of members, the lounge being crowded throughout the afternoon.