RAILWAY GARDENING COMPETITION

Evening Star, Issue 21689, 7 April 1934, Page 12

RAILWAY GARDENING COMPETITION

PRESENTATION OF PRIZES Yesterday the concluding function in' connection with the annual railway stations garden - competition -took place when Lady Ferguson, accompanied by. the judges (Mrs E. F. Duthie, Mrs A.Lee Smith;'and- Miss Martin), Mrs EC. Hazlett and Mrs B. Benzoni, members of the Gardening Circle of the ( Otago _Women’s Club, Mr H. L. Giljson (district traffic manager of railways at Dunedin), Mr G. Ferguson, and Mr J. M'Kenzie, presented the cups and trophies at the various stations which had been successful. _ In congratulating Allanton and Burnside staffs on gaining equal first honours Lady Ferguson complimented them . on the very fine display they'had made, and said that the success of their efforts must surely repay them for- the time and trouble they had put -, into the ■ work. 'The competition had been very keen, no fewer than eighteen, gardens being entered for the first ’ judging and sixteen for the second judging. A very high standard had 'been attained by all the gardens,and very little separated the first from the second prize winner. Mr C. J. Brown and Mr Dunckn, in replying on behalf of. the Allanton and Burnside .station staffs respectively, thanked Lady Ferguson for having come to present the prizes, and assured her that they would use -their best efforts to retain the honour next year. Mr Gibson complimented Mr Brown and Mr Duncan on their achievements, and said that there were now thirtyfive station gardens in the Otago district, and that at a recent conference held in Wellington Otago was complimented on the interest and assistance which the Gardening Circle of the Otago Women’s • Club had given to these gardens. A visit was also paid to Port Chalmers (which occupied next place to Allanton arid Burriside, along with Fairlie) and to Sawyers Bay •-(which filled second place in the small gardens’ competition). After the trophies had been presented Mr Casey (station master at Port Chalmers) and Mr Berry (station master at Sawyers Bay) suitably responded. The party also visited Stirling, which' : won first place in the small garden* contest, this being the second occasion on which the distinction has gone .to that station. At the conclusion of the function afternoon tea was provided by the local Women’s Institute, arid Mrs M'Crorie. in welcoming the visitors, expressed pleasure at having them s present. Little Miss M'Crorie then presented Lady Ferguson with a very pretty Victorian posy. V Returning thanks for the presentation to the Stirling staff, Mr Ericson (station master) also expressed’ their gratitude at having members of the Gardening Circle present that afternoon. ' . -

During the afternoon Lady Ferguton referred to the loss sustained by th* circle in the death of Mrs Shiel, who was for many years one of the judges in the competition, and who took a very keen interest in . the work that was being done. Reference was also made to the very able assistance and co-operation which,' had been given by, Mr, Gibson, the district traffic manager, whose help had very considerably facilitated the work of the judges. The Gardening Circle is endeavouring to beautify the railway station* by promoting this annual railway stations gardening competition, and tha results attained to date must surely ba appreciated by the travelling public..