ATTRACTIVE DISPLAYS AT NAPIER FLOWER SHOW

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXVI, Issue 283, 13 November 1936, Page 14

ATTRACTIVE DISPLAYS AT NAPIER FLOWER SHOW

“The glory of the garden,” . with its tremendous variety and colour, produced an attractive picture yesterday in the Foresters’ Hall, Napier, that will be long.remembered by all who were present at the Napier Horticultural Society’s annual rose and sweet pea show. All concerned —the president, executive, women’s committee, the efficient joint secretaries (Mr and Airs R. G. Wilson) and members are to be congratulated on such a magnificent show.

A visitor who has judged throughout New Zealand spoke to the writer and expressed his admiration of Napier’s women, who, he said, led New Zealand in the colour-blending and artistry of arranging flowers. He paid a special tribute to the gardening section exhibit of the Townswomen’s Guild and concluded by saying that only those who have a garden and know the pleasure it can give are truly able to say: “Thank God for a garden.”

The central feature was a colourful and well arranged display by the women’s committee, Airs F. N. Fussell in charge. A lovely kentia palm formed the centre of the display. Owing to the earliness of the season most of the roses are over, but the sweet-pea entries were very fine. Very t good was the miscellaneous section. The needlework section should have been much larger and it is a suggestion that the Guild arts and craft section may next time stage an exhibition in a separate room upstairs. Some excellent knitting was seen and the home industries., both foi adults and juniors (school children) were very good indeed. Vegetables were displayed upstairs, The president, Airs C. D. Wilson, had a most interesting and large display of native flowers,, and mosses obtained from the Ohurakura bush at Te I’ohue, and lovers of native flora saw two very rare specimens, for few can. say they have seen the flowers of th© titoki or supplejack. It is rare also to see the flowers and berries of the beautiful pigeouwood tree, but Mr Wilsoii had both. •,,

Decorative classes, bowls, posies,, baskets, sprays, were all colourful and » new class this year, artistic arrangement of flowers or blossoms,, revealed the artistic sense of those exhibiting by their excellent choice of huge plate, bowl or ornament used, each accentuating the beauty of colour and arrangement.

The public expect something good from the gardening section of the Guild and their previous efforts were uudoubt-' edly excelled yesterday. Admiration and amazement vied with envy, and visitors went again and ugaiu in ease they bad missed anything. The display was very large and the collection of flowers far too numerous to mention. Colour arrangement, whether in baskets or bowls, was delightful and here and there something special -was noted. Quite outstanding was the basket of fruit, the crinoline lady with skirts of white rose petals centred with a panel of tiny daisies. A floral “ship of prosperity” in the galleon stylo was a triumph of design and colour. Colourful fruit, waterlilies, a basket of vege tables, posies, and dish garden were exquisite in . their arrangement. Decorated mantel pieces were well done and were set on the stage. An orig inal design by Peter Bird was much admired, the floral steamer being a gooo size and fashioned of red roses, white picotees and opal-blue delphinium blossoms.

The stewards were Mrs R. Holt (roses). Mrs P. P. Mayo (sweet peas and carnations), Mrs A. Hetley (school classes), Mrs C. Corner and assistant (home industries), Mrs P. P. Mayo (miscellaneous), Mr A. Bain (vegetable), Mrs C. Macfarlane (decorative) and Mrs M. H. Oxford (needlework). There were several very attractive trade exhibits also. Mrs W. J. O’Connell was in charge of a sweet stall assisted by the Misses E. and F. Jones.

At the back of the stage the spacious room was used for tea and patrons did appreciate this service, fresh strawberries and cream being also available. Mrs Harry Clark was the organiser of this and sho was ably assisted by Mesdames K. Merritt, C. Fountain, A. Tucker, C. D. Wilson and C. Corner.

The tables were covered with blue cloths and decorated with a large rose; on the official table where the president and Mrs Wilson entertained Mr and Mrs Barnard at tea after the opening, a centrepiece .of lovely roses was much admired. Cakes and sandwiches, eggs and lettuce, cream and milk, were generously donated by mem hrs of the society.

Among those present at the opening, which, incidentally, was the largest number for many years, were: The Hon. W. E. Barnard and Mrs Barnard, Mr C. D. Wilson, president of the society, and Mrs Wilson, Mr and Mrs R. G. Winson, joint secretaries of the society, Mr and Mrs C. Corner. Mr and Mrs C. Fountain, Mr and Mrs J. V. Ennor, Mr and Mrs W. Harvey, Mr and Mrs A. Hetley, Mr and Mrs 8. Richards (Auckland), Mesdames F. N. Fussell, G. Husheer. Ruddenklau, H. W. Williams, R. Boyd, Malcolm (England), H. Mayo, W. Harvey, S. P. Spiller, R. Holt, A. E. Denholm, F. R. Lee, M. Alexander, H. Clark (Pakowhai), E. S. West, T. Tuck, P. P. Mayo, Hector Smith, Clarke, C. Macfarlane,- W. J. O’Connell, W. J. Macpherson, J. Drummond, R. I. Sutton, Ludwig, F. G. Smith, Alex Sinclair, F. W. Browne, G. Kliugender, R. C. Wright, Dill, O. Dean, P. Patullo, T. Ruddock, F. C. Williams,' C. D. Kennedy, T. Wilson, .1. Parker.