FLORAL FESTIVAL

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28822, 17 February 1959, Page 7

FLORAL FESTIVAL

Committee Discusses Plans

The Floral Festival would be the best ever held here, and the biggest in Australia and New Zealand, if not the Southern Hemisphere, said the chairman (Mr T. C. Eaton) at a meeting of the floral Festival committee last evening. Although so far, the festival had not produced much money, the idea was. to give something back to Christchurch in the way of a sound shell, he said. If there were as many entries for the miniature float procession as there had been in the last 10 days, there would be no problems in coping with them all, said Mr R. Ayton. A higher standard than that of last year was anticipated, and so far there were at least 30 entries. Marching girls and bands- would be incorporated in the procession which will take place op Saturday, February 28. To add a little colour, Mr Ayton suggested that all those persons with clown costumes and bicycles to match, and also pony club members with cowboy costumes might like to participate. Among the floats there will also be members of the Behua Maori Boys’ Hostel in costume, who will perform hakas and chants.

Buttonholes Giving Floral Week a “something for nothing” start, about 8000 buttonholes will be distributed in the city during the morning and afternoon of February 25. Wives of. members of the Junior Chamber of Commerce will pick the flowers from Linwood nurseries and prepare them. Art classes from Linwood and possibly South Christchurch Intermediate schools will also help. An invitation will be extended to members of the public to do the same, and to those who can do so, to wear their own.

Floral set pieces, which were rooted, just before Christmas, will bfe set out tn Hagley Park, near the Horticultural Society's flower show, on a raised platform, Mr J. Taylor said. The Soroptlmists’ Club would again have a wishing well, and this year’s funds would go to the Town Hall Promotion fund, he said. Church Service In what was left of Cranmer square, after the floats had been put there, a church service will be held, the collection to go to South-east Asia programmes sponsored by members of the National Council of Churches. “To help make Christchurch the garden city it is, all shops and buildings with street frontage are being urged to show some form of floral decoration,” said Mr I. Patrick. There had been increased interest this year and wonderful co-operation, he said. Even a bowl of flowers in a shop window would make a big difference.

There are two trophies to be given this year for Window displays, one for amateur and the other for professional dressing.