HUTT VALLEY NEWS

Evening Post, Volume CXXVIII, Issue 71, 21 September 1939, Page 16

HUTT VALLEY NEWS

SPRING FLOWER SHOW

(From "The Post's" Representative.)

Always a temperamental month for weather September this year for the first time over a long period provided a perfect opening day for the Hutt Valley Horticultural Society's spring daffodil show.

The show was opened by his Excellency the Governor-General, who was accompanied by Lady Galway and attended by Lord Dormer, A.D.C. Their Excellencies were met at the entrance to the grounds of the Horticultural Hall by the president of the society, Mr. J. S. Barton, and Mrs. Barton, i and were conducted to the hall between 1 a guard of honour formed by boys of the Hutt Valley High School. Lady Galway, who was wearing a smart tailored suit of deep marine blue with a matching hat of fine fur felt, was presented with a charming fan-shaped sheaf of freesias and forget-me-nots bordered with huia feathers, which showed-up in effective contrast against the dark toning of her ensemble. With her flared tailleur of black wool boucle, Mrs. Barton wore a tricorne hat finished across the front with a glossy lacquered quill. The official party proceeded to the platform, where his Excellency at the conclusion of his speech formally declared the show open. Mr. and Mrs. Barton entertained Lord and Lady Galway at tea. Guests at the official table included Lord Dormer, Sir Heaton Rhodes, Mrs. Knox Gilmer (president of the Wellington Horticultural Society), Mr. J. W. Andrews (Mayor of Lower Hutt), and Mrs. Andrews, Mr. H. E. Anderson (president of the Eastbourne Horticultural Society)), and Mrs. Anderson, Mr. G. S. Nicholl (secretary of the Institute of Horticulture), and Mrs. Nicholl, Mrs. O. S. Heymann, and Mr. H. Poole. A beautifully-arranged bowl of waxy white camellias faintly tinged with pink and set off by delicate fronds of maidenhair formed the centrepiece to the official table which was flanked at either end by tall stands of coral pink japonica blossom. Daffodils and maidenhair fern were used with admirable effect throughout the tearoom in conjunction with honey-coloured linen' covers and daffodil china. The tea arrangements were in charge of a special committee comprising Mesdames A. R. Grimwood, G. C. Mayo, B. Whitcher, A. T. Laws, F. McMillan, A. Natusch, and A. Greenfield. Also assisting in the tearoom were Mrs. Ralph Barton, and the Misses D. Kersley, P. Barton, N. Olphert, G. Abercrorhbie, and L. Findlay. A well-stocked and busy stall of cut flowers, plants, garden produce, and preserves was in the charge of Mrs. W. H. Wilson, assisted by Mesdames A. W. Freeman and F. Stoupe. A programme of light classical music provided by a well-balanced trio added much to the enjoyment of both afternoon and evening sessions.