KAPONGA.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 29 September 1924, Page 3

KAPONGA.

FLOWER SHOW. The president (the Rev. C. H. Kendon), the hon. secretary (Mr E. 0 Pello.we), his assistant (Mr S. Death), and the committee who worked with them in the organisation and administration of the Kaponga Spring Flower Show, held in the Town Hall on Friday under the -auspices of the Methodist Church, are to be congratulated upon the marked success which attended their efforts.

The opening ceremony took place at 2.30 p.m. Before calling upon Mr J. Gibson, of New Plymouth, to make the formal declaration, the president expressed appreciation, of the manner in which the show had been supported. Speaking on behalf of the committee members, he said they were under a debt of gratitude to all who had contributed towards the outstanding success achieved by the show, from the actual growers to those who had arranged the stands or assisted in the general organisation. 1 Mr Gibson expressed the pleasure it gave him to be present and renew his association with a show at Kaponga. Twenty years previously he had been closely connected with similar shows in the district, and comparing those with the shows of the present- day, lie paid a tribute to the very great progress made. In particular the Kaponga show had greatly advanced this year, and, looking to the future, he prophesied that exhibitors and ail associated with the show would be agreeably surprised over the still', further advance which would be achieved. It gave him very great pleasure to announce the 1924 spring show open. The judges in all sections were enthusiastic in their praise of the'stand-' ard of the exhibits. Mr Gibson, who judged the narcissi and out bloom's sections, referred to. the display as one which would he a credit to any show, a great feature being the competition manifested. He said he had experienced the greatest difficulty in making his awards, and the chamoion bloom, though not greatly outstanding in the wonderful showing of narcissi, set a standard which would be exceedingly difficult to equal anywhere. Mr G. P. Cook, the judge of the school section, also made eulogistic comment concerning the exceptional quality of the Work shown. In making his award in the drawing from nature class, he had had to place two <. ntries as equal for the first prize, and to make, no less than five highly comniended awards.

The stands shown for exhibition only added greatly to- the general attraction. Mr J. Gibson exhibited a fine array of narcissi and tulips, a novelty among the latter being a beautiful specimen of Iris Susiana. Mr A. Moss (Ngaere) showed flowering shrubs and narcissi, and a stand of the latter exhibited by Mi' R- Gibson, of Manaia, created much interest.

Mesdames L. Shepherd and C. Torikin presided over a'sweets and confectionery stall, and Mesdames J. Guy and N. C. Davies conducted one for the sale, of fancy work, while a large committee of ladies under the direction of Mrs C Evans provided afternoon tea. and supper. A 'brisk trade, which materially assisted the show results, was plied in each of these departments.

During the evening session keen excitement prevailed as the baby, carnival competition approached finality. Supporters of eacli candidate worked enthusiastically in the quest for votes, but shortly before the closing hour it became evident that the main contest would be between Nola Hawke, (green) and Clive Bennie (white), though the other two entrants, Josephine James (pink) and Florence Harding (blue) made a creditable showing. The result of the final count disclosed the following: Green 1460, white 1361. pink 708. and blue 531. Mr R. G. Cook, with suitable congratulations, presented Mrs H. Hawke with the silver mug awarded to the successful, competitor, and presented the prizes awarded to the other three contestants. On behalf of the committee, Mr Cock thanked all who had helped the show through their energetic efforts throughout the' campaign. The challenge rose howl, donated by Mr R-. E. Williams for presentation annually to exhibitor scoring the highest total points in the narcissi and cut blooriis sections, was won by thr Rev. W. W. Avery, with a total of 73 points. Mrs D. Mourie (Oounake'i was the winner of the ti’dphy -last year. The awards were miblished in Saturday’s issue of the Star;