ROCK GARDEN ART

Evening Post, Volume CXXVI, Issue 95, 19 October 1938, Page 7

ROCK GARDEN ART

VICEREGAL VISIT

MEMORIAL TREES PLANTED

Yesterday, on the occasion of the tenth anniversary of the laying of the first rock in the New Zealand Alpine I and Rock Garden Society's garden at Riddiford Park, Lower Hutt, their Excellencies Lord and Lady Galway paid an official visit to the park. They were received by the Mayor and Mayoress of Lower Hutt, Mr. and Mrs. J. W. Andrews, Mr. Hope B. Gibbons, president of the society, Mr. T. W. Attwood, director, and the members of the society's council, Messrs. E. J. Righton, G. P. Anderson, Wm. Smith, E. D. Harland, O. Dryden, L. D. Haggett, E. Hutt, Mr. and Mrs. H. B. Gordon, Mr. J. Mitchell, and Mrs. A. R. Gower. Among the guests present were the Hon. W. Nash and Mrs. Nash, Mr. and Mrs. A. C. Clifford, Mr. and Mrs. J. S. Barton, Miss M. Barton, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Handley (Palmerston North), Mrs. Hope B. Gibbons, Mrs. G. P. AnI derson, Mrs. O. Dryden, Mr. W. Hyde (Horticulture Division, Department of Agriculture), Mr. F. S. Pope, and Mr. G S. Nicholl (president and secretary of the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture), Mr. and Mrs. F. M. Reynolds (Masterton), Mrs. T. W. Attwood, Mrs. M. Hobbs, Mr. and Mrs. A. J. Nicholls, Mrs. E. Hutt, Mrs. L. D. Haggett, Mr. W. G. Lodder, Mrs. J. Mitchell, and Mrs. J. C. Burns. Captain Stuart-French accompanied their Excellenciesi In expressing his pleasure at the visit of their Excellencies, Mr. J. W. Andrews said the rock garden had been built ten years ago by members of the society, and was maintained by citizens of the borough and members of the society in neighbouring districts. The" action of the society showed a fine public spirit in making available to students of rock gardening, whether members of. the society or not, such a fine specimen. It would be a great encouragement to the society to know that their Excellencies j took a keen interest in the work the society was doing. Mr. Hope B. Gibbsons also expressed, on .behalf of the society, his pleasure at the visit,- which would increase the enthusiasm of members. The purpose of the society was not only to establish a garden but to foster the love for rock gardening and to distribute plants and seeds. Many people thought rock gardening was only "for the rich man, Dut that was! not so. Everyone could "have a rock garden, and if nowhere ' else was available, they could have a window-sill garden. . ~. Mr. Gibbons made eulogistic remarks about the work done for the society ,by Mr. E. Hutt (superintendent of parks and reserves at Lower Hutt) and his band of workers who did the he"avy work in the Riddiford Garden; and extended special thanks to the society's "dear old friend," Mr. T. W. Attwood who had been in charge of the garden since its inception. (Applause.) Mr. Attwood was as keen as ever, and said he was still learning. Mr. Gibbons thanked the executive of the society and the members who gave practical help in maintaining the garden. Mr. T. Attwood said his chief pleasure was found in trying to make pleasure for other people. He spoke of the spiritual influence of getting close to Nature in gardening. His Excellency Lord Galway said it gave Lady -Galway and himself the greatest pleasure to evince their interest in horticulture and they were very happy to inspect the wonderful work done by ,the society in such a- short space of time. Lady Galway and himself had been interested in rock gardening for thirty years and they found it a most fascinating study. It was a real art.to use rocks as a frame for plants. Some rock gardens were all rocks and1 no plants and others all plants and- no rocks. What was needed was to show the plants in their natural surroundings. It was a heartbreaking task to do what the society had just done—pull down and'rebuild the whole rockery—but this was necessary every ten years and would be lohud to be well worth while. The ( work was never-ending but so was the 'pleasure. Something new was always being learned to foster interest. He hoped the enthusiasm would long continue.

Lady Galway then planted a memorial "Magnolia Campbelii" and Lord Galway a memorial "Magnolia Soularigeana," and alongside each were placed commemorative bronze plaques.

The visitors were entertained by the lady members at afternoon tea.