ROSES TRIUMPHANT

Evening Post, Volume CXXXII, Issue 123, 20 November 1941, Page 12

ROSES TRIUMPHANT

FLOWER SHOW AT TOWN HALL

WEATHER HAS ITS EFFECT

Hailstones, as Mrs. K.nox Gilmer. president of the Wellington Horticultural Society, said at the opening of the rose show yesterday, and roses do not "go" together. Certainly the week's boisterous weather had its effect on the exhibits, many showing evidence of the severe buffetings they had received. Others again were as near to perfect as possible, and the champion bloom, a magnificent pink rose named "Editor McFarlane," was wonderfully formed. Mr, . F. Pope, president of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, who opened the show in the unavoidable absence of the Mayor, Mr. T/C. A. Hislop, said that in his opinion the show was extraordinarily fine considering the circumstances. There was a large official party, and beautiful sprays of roses were given to all the women guests. Those on the stage included Mrs. Walter Nash. Mrs. Hislop, Mrs. Pope, Sir Harry Batterbee, Mrs. Christopher Batterbee, Dr. W. A.'Riddell, Mr. R. L. Macalister. Mr. and Mrs. J. D. Sievwright, Mr. Hope B. Gibbons, and Mr. Norman B. Gibbons. Later they were entertained to afternoon tea by Mrs. Gilmer and other officials of the society WORTHY OF NOTE. Notebooks and pencils were produced by most of the people who wandered ' round the Town Hall inspect- | ing the long stands of exhibits, and among the varieties noted by connoisseurs were Earl Haig, Shot Silk, McGredy's ivory and yellow. Countess of Gosford, Evert Van Dyk, Crimson Glory, Goldenes Maiz, Comtesse Vandal, and Mrs. Henry Morse, all of which were outstanding among the many lovely roses shown. In the decorative class attention was attracted particularly to Miss Patsy Ashbolt's beautifully arranged basket in which all types of roses were combined, offset by delicate pink shoots of trees. In this class much artistic skill was displayed, entrants in the posy, buttonhole, and spray section, and in the decorated table, the floating bowl, and baskets and receptacles of roses or of mixed flowers classes, aU showing a deep understanding of the proper technique and execution of floral art.

A new feature of the show was an entire stand of rhododendrons arranged by Mrs. Knox Gilmer and Mrs. Stafford, and picked largely from Mrs. Gilmer's own garden.

Throughout the afternoon music was supplied by an Instrumental trio, and afternoon tea was served. The Northland Horticultural Society had charge of the stall of cut flowers.