VICE-REGAL VISIT TO ROCK GARDEN

Dominion, Volume 32, Issue 21, 19 October 1938, Page 6

VICE-REGAL VISIT TO ROCK GARDEN

Admiration Of Work

TREES PLANTED BY LORD AND LADY GALWAY

In the golden sunshine of yesterday afternoon the grounds of Riddiford Park presented a lovely picture when their Excellencies, Lord and Lady Galway, in response to’the invitation o£ the New Zealand Alpine and Rock Garden Society, inspected the rock garden in celebration of the tenth anniversary of the society. Her Excellency, who was wearing a nigger brown white-flecked suit with a toniug fur, aud brown, shiny straw hat, was presented by Mrs. Hope Gibbons, wife of the president of the society, wearing a navy blue ensemble and hat, with a large sheath-bouquet o£ pink tulips. Accompanying their Excellencies was Captain Stuart French, A.D.C. The Vice-Regal party was accompanied during its inspection of the rock gardens by the mayor of Lower Hutt, Mr. J. W. Andrews, and Mrs. Andrews, who wore a rust silk frock and toning hat; Mr. and Mrs. Hope Gibbons, the lion. W. Nash, M.P, for Hutt, and Mrs. - Nash, who wore a navy blue matalasee suit with navy blue hat relieved with white; Mr. T. W. Attwood, director of the society, and Mrs. Attwood, who wore a frock of floral navy blue marocaiu with matching bat; and Mr. E. Hutt, superintendent of reserves, and Mrs. Hutt, in a fawn suit with toning hat. The wide expanse of smooth green lawns with flower-beds in vivid contrast, the tose-covered pergola and surrounding trees, provided a rich background for the rock gardens. The water-lily pool and winding creek with its green banks and bordering punga ferns lent a subtle charm to the scene, while the lingering blossom of the flowering cherry provided delicate colour.

• The mayor welcomed the visitors, and thanked garden lovers in the borough and in the neighbouring districts for their interest in the rock garden. Mr. Hope Gibbons, who joined with Mr. Andrews in welcoming their Excellencies, said that their visit was an encouragement to those who were doing all they could to encourage the cultivation of rock gardens. Mr. Attwood, said Mr. Gibbons, sent letters of encouragement ' to those who were trying to make rock gardens. It was frequently thought that the making of a rock garden was expensive, but that was not so. In the English cities, rock plants were grown in boxes in the windows, or even in a' dish. Mr. Gibbons thanked the Lower Hutt members of the society and the mayor for their welcome, and M_r. Hutt and his helpers for their work in the gardens. Most of his work was done behind the scenes, but it pleased him a great deal to give others pleasure, said Mr. Attwood. The work in the garden gave pleasure, uplift and spiritual inspiration to all those who devoted their time to it. His Excellency said that the amount that had been accomplished in the rock garden in so short a time was wonderful. Lady Galway and he had long been interested in the fascinating subject of horticulture and his own efforts at rockgardening had commenced 30 years ago in his garden in England. Since that time he had gone bn planning, altering aud rebuilding. It had been necessary with the rock garden in Riddiford Park to pull it to pieces and it would probably be necessary to do so again, but it was well worth while, as the garden grew more and more beautiful with the years. As the work went on, so the interest went on. He greatly admired the enthusiasm of the sgeiety and hoped it would ever continue. , Lady Galway then planted a tree, and a bronze tablet was placed by the tree in commemoration of the event. His Excellency then planted a tree. The official party and guests adjourned to the creeper-covered Waimarie Croquet' Club pavilion for afternoon tea. Tall vases of flame, gold and red azaleas were used in decoration. Among the members of the Rock Garden Society council present. were Mr. anil Mrs. Hope Gibbons, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Gordon. Mrs. A. R. Gower, Messrs. E. J. Righton, E. P. Anderson, William Smith, E'. D. Harland. O. Dryden, L. D. Haggett, E. Hutt and J. Mitchell. Others present were Mrs. J. Mitchell, Mrs. R. C. Kirk, Colonel and Mrs. Bagnall, Mr. and Mrs. Thomas, Miss C. Fraser. Mr. and Mrs. W. Snjith. Mrs: J. G. Helyar, Mrs. Teasdill, Mrs. Robinson. Mr. and Mrs. Surtees. Mrs. Du Pont. Mrs. H. M. Hobbs. Mr. G. S. Nicol (Karori), Mr. and Mrs. Reynolds (Masterton), Mrs. Seddon, Mr. and Mrs. Gifford and Mrs. Maclean.