National Flower Show

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 101, 23 January 1933, Page 11

National Flower Show

Sir, —hi your issue of January 17 yon published a report of the meeting of the Winter Show Association at which Mr. T. Waugh explained that the reason for the National Flower Show being held iu the Town Hall instead of the Winter Show Building was that the .Wellington Horticultural Society had threatened to withdraw altogether and had refused to allow any of its plant to be used if it was to be held in that building. The reply given by the Wellington Horticultural Society evaded the issue very neatly and I have been waiting for a further explanation giving some reason for their attitude to appear. It is, however, apparent that no further explanation is to be given and T therefore think that a further statement is due to the general public and those interested in horticulture in order that they should know the true facts.

In the first place it was decided to hold the show in the Town Hall as the committees were assured that there was ample space available there for aJL and the schedule of classes was printed tinder Mr. Waugh’s personal supervision as stated, but when the entries closed it was found that whereas it had been represented by the Wellington Horticultural Society’s delegates that there was 40,000 square feet of space available in the Town. Hall aud Concert Chamber, there was actually only 12,000 square feet. The approximate floor space required for the entries was 8000 square feet, with some exhibitors requiring further space, and in view of the impossibility of staging these entries and accommodating the public it was unanimously decided that the National - Flower Show be held in the Winter Show Buildings in order to retain the true character of a national show. The delegates of the Wellington Horticultural Society objected to this change, but subsequently saw the advisability of the move and expressed themselves as satisfied, withdrawing their opposition. They, in company with other members of the committee, inspected the show buildings and there expressed themselves as quite satisfied as to the better facilities, easy means of access, and space available. Nothing further was heard until the influence Mr. Waugh referred to had got to work in the Christmas season and in the absence of some of the members of the committee a meeting was called at which a complete change of attitude was shown by the delegates of the 'Wellington Horticultural Society by which thev threatened to withdraw and refuse to allow their plant to be used unless the show was held in the Town Hall. In face of this attitude there was no other course than to open up the matter again and as the result of a vote the Town Hali was again decided upon by a very small margin. These are the facts and can no doubt be verified by reference to the secretary of the National Show Committee. The whole matter is unfortunate as the success of any show depends upon cooperation and support, and already it is very evident that the show will not be a national one in any sense as there is by no means room to stage the entries as a result of which some of the best have been cancelled. The position is very unfortunate for Wellington as it was hoped that the Capital City would be able to hold a National Show bigger and better than that held in Christchurch last year, where the space occupied by the wonder; ful display of exhibits was 40,000 odd square feet. —I am, etc.. 1 P. E. ALLEN. Wellington, January 20.