WOMEN’S WORK AT SHOW

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 266, 24 October 1935, Page 6

WOMEN’S WORK AT SHOW

Floral Miniature Gardens

NEEDLEWORK AND CROCHET Yesterday, the first day of the Royal Show conducted by the Hawke’s Bay A. and P. Society proved rather unpleasant as far as the weather was concerned, but this had the advantage of sending a very large number of those who were present to seek the shelter of the produce-shed and at the same time to see some very excellent work. The floral exhibits of the various women’s organisations attracted a steady flow of admirers. These were described as the best collection of flowers, foliage and rock plants grown by members of each organisation and arranged as a garden. Glorious blooms in every imaginable variety and shade were combined in artistic arrangement, each exhibit being wonderful in effect. First place was won by the Hastings Townswomen’s Guild, whose beautiful work represented a miniature garden with green lawns, a cobblestone path partly overgrown with moss, and tiny steps. In one part was a beautiful little rock garden with tiny plants and flowers, while at the back was an archway covered with climbing roses. To one side was a bird house, and the whole was built against a background of greenery and cherry blossom and beds of yellow tulips.

In another exhibit was a tiny lake, with the tiny ducks complete, and round this was a perfect limestone drive and garden wall. Another garden had its own little summer house, another its tiny brick walls and a third a bird bath. In one tiny pool was seen a frog, and in each lovely flowers —azaleas, tulips, pansies, wisteria, lilac, lily of the valley, icelaud poppies, and others too numerous to mention — were combined with exquisite blending of colour.

Second place was awarded to the Pakowhai Women’s Institute, and third to the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, while the Sherendeu Women’s Institute was very highly commended. Other exhibits were the Havelock North Women’s Institute, Hastings Women’s Community Club and Haumoana Women’s Institute.

The judges. Miss Marjorie Ebbett, of Hastings and Mr C. W. Corner, of Napier, had a most difficult task in placing the exhibits, and expressed the opinion that al| were of a very high standard. Oqly a very few points’ difference was found amongst the first four, and when one saw the beauty of each miniature garden one realised that the judges’ task was by no means an easy one. After admiring these wonderful miniature gardens one wandered on to the section of needlework, crochet and knitting, and each onlooker marvelled at the fineness and beauty of the exhibits.

The embroidery exhibits were really beautiful, richlieu and eyelet work attracting a good number of particularly fine entries. Tapestry work, top, has become more and more popular in recent years, and some very beautifully worked and attractive designs were seen in these two classes for coarse and fine work. Crochet classes showed very fine work that called forth many complimentary remarks from the onlookers, who also admired the novel ideas introduced into the class for the most useful articles made from a sugarbag, a striped cushion and a handpainted sunshade being especially admired. In the knitting section some really wonderful pieces of work were shown. ■lnfants’ clothes in exquisite fancy patterns so fine that one marvelled at their being made by hand, and equally well-knitted coarser articles, such as socks, cardigans and gloves, were exhibited.

The challenge cup (Mrs W. Rayner’s and Miss E. M. King’s) for the best piece of needlework in the show was awarded to Mrs J. Newton for a most wonderful richlieu tray-cloth, and the miniature cup for the runner-up was won by Mrs H. N. Walker for a beautifully tine cotton crocheted teacloth.

The judges, Mrs W. G. Shannon, of Palmerston North (needlework), and Mrs J. W. Coddington, of Napier (knitting), expressed the opinion that the exhibits were of a very high standard and that any exhibitor who was awarded a prize, especially in the tapestry section, well deserved the award.