FINE BEGONIAS

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 47, 25 February 1937, Page 11

FINE BEGONIAS

LOWER HUTT FLOWER SHOW

"One of the finest shows the Hutt Valley Horticultural Society has ever staged," was the opinion of one of the leading judges of the gladioli and dahlia show which was opened in the society's hall this afternoon by Lady Spriggs, wife of Sir Edmund Spriggs, who is attending the .Medical Conference at Wellington. One of the outstanding features of the show is the exhibits of begonias shown by Mr. C. H. Matthews and Mr. H. J. Poole. Once again the novelty stall (inaugurated by Mrs. A. R. Gower, but-at this show under the charge of Miss B. Fraser), was a special source of attraction, no efforts having been spared to introduce novelties, especially New Zealand novelties. A basket of native berries, arranged by Mrs. E. J. Righton, was one of the special features. Nikau palm leaves and mats are shown, and also a hat, made from hoheria bark. Among the kauri exhibits : is a New Zealand snail shell from the kauri district, and also shells, of other New Zealand snails. A plant from the species from which -.the crown oi thorns was made is shown. Other notable exhibits are Mr. C. F. Filcher's stand of ferns, palms, and dahlias, Messrs. A. J. Shailer's, S. Mason's, and A. McMillan's exhibits of dahlias, Mr. Bilby's and the Rev. S. H. Peryman's stands of gladioli, Mr. E. H. Hay ward's stand of asters, and a'fine group of hydrangeas shown by ' the Lower Hutt borough reserves committee. The cut flower stall was under the charge of Mrs. Hendry. and the sweets land cake stall under Mesdames Stoupe land Whitcher.