Preliminary Plans For 1958 Floral Festival

Press, Volume XCV, Issue 28256, 18 April 1957, Page 7

Preliminary Plans For 1958 Floral Festival

Planning for a floral festival in Christchurch next year on a scale greater than the festival held in February was begun last evening, once more under the sponsorship of the Junior Chamber of Commerce. “Christchurch is big enough to have a floral festival each year and it is our aim to have as a general principle a week or a few days each February set aside for a festival as an annual event,” said the chairman of the interim organising committee (Mr T. C. Eaton). “If it was big enough it could become an important tourist attraction.” Mr Eaton said that preliminary plans envisaged a 1958 festival similar to this year’s but next year there would not be the Canterbury Horticultural Society’s flower show as a focal feature. Such a feature would have to be organised. However, a foundation had been laid and there was a small nucleus fund to work on—last year the organisers had begun with nothing. Supplementary features suggested were an inter-denomin-ational church service (the Civic Music Council was already reported to have ideas for improvements), shop window disolays. a Society and similar organisations. Representatives of the Progress procession, garden competitions, and set pieces. It was also hoped

to have concerts and productions by the National Orchestra, the Theatre Arts Guild, the Operatic League, Horticultural Society, city retailers, Junior Chamber of Commerce, Chamber of Commerce, Round Table, and Rotary -were present. They expressed sympathy with the interim organisers’ plans but all said they were unable to pledge specific support from their organisations until the organisations had an opportunity to study particular proposals and requests. Notice of motion was given by Mr P. D. Dunbar that the festival be held in the third week of February.