Spring Flower Show

Hutt News, Volume 12, Issue 17, 21 September 1938, Page 4

Spring Flower Show

LOCAL AND NATIONAL DATFODIL EXHIBITION OUTSTANDING SUCCESS The Spring Flower Show of 1938 will long be remembered as one of the outstanding floral exhibitions in the of the Hutt Valley Horticultural So-" ciety. The show, which was held in conjunction with the National Daffodil Society of New Zealand, was held in. 4 . the Horticultural Hal] on Thursday and Friday of last week4Hßi in spite of the inclement weather on Friday, was very well attended by the public on each day. In order to accommodate the great number of entries, a large marquee containing the decorative sections, was erected in front of the hall. Thanks to the many months of thought and preparation given by a special committee, the arrangements left nothing to be desired. A complete organisation existed for attending to the wants of the visitors and the opinion was freely expressed by those competent to judge, that it was the finest spring show yet held in New Zealand. However ellicient such an organisation, it may be made or marred by the secretary. Tlu: society was more than fortunate, in this respect, for although new to his duties, -Mr, A. C. Butler carried out his work, which extended over a whole week, in a manner that won the praoise of everyone with whom he came in contact. The interior of the hall presented a most unusual and artistic setting; down the centre of the floor were laid grass burms in which daffodils were growing, the inside beds being planted ,w v ith dainty primula malecuides and occasional trees of flowering poach gay with scarlet blossom Blending with the model garden scheme v. ere circular beds, of cinerarias, polyanthus and cyclamen delightfully set -oil! with well weathered boulders from Urongorongo, which added greatly to the artistic effect. At the foot of the stage, Poole's Nurseries displayed a magniilcent stand of brilliantly hued cinerarias, lachanalia and cyclamen. The massed displays in circular beds by Messrs Poo ley Kiddiford, G. W. Cairns and Rev S. D. H. Perrymnn, were outstanding features ot' the show. To more effect ively display the beauty of the daffodil, a black background was given to all the competitive classes. Two tables of decorative effects, at the entrance to the hall, contributed by Mrs John Mitchell, were greatly admired, especially a floral globe of the world. The show was officially opened by her Excellency Viscountess Galway who was provided with a guard of honour supplied by the girls of the Hutt Valley High School and received at the entrance by the president and Mrs J. S. Barton, Sir Heaton Rhodes (president of the National Datl'odil Society), .Messrs 11. Poole, senr. mid jnr. members of the committo and the Hon. and Mrs Walter Nash. A beautifully designed bouquet made by Mrs. F. Stoupe, was presented to her Excellency by little Meryl Mitchell. "Although the weather had not been of the best preceding the show, it was well to look at the matter philosophically and say it might have been worse" -aid the president in introducing her Excellency. The society regarded it as a great honour to have her Excellency present to open the show. He also welomed Sir Heaton Rhodes and the Hon and Mrsj. W, Nash, and the Mayor and .Mayoress Mr and Mrs. J. W. Andrews. He was pleased to have them present to view the products of the district expressed in terms of daffodils and other ■pring flowers. "If you seek a monument, look around you; look at- the dowers and let their message come to you; it means much work, skill and good taste. We are nearer to God's iieart in a garden than anywhere else on earth" said Mr. Barton.

The president made reference to the valuable help 'the society hud received* from Air. E. Hutt, director of the borough reserves, who had been responsible for designing the line lay out of the hall, the chairman of the reserves com-, mittee, and the borough council for their valuable co-operation; Air. G. W. Cairns for his work in connection with the staging; Airs. S. M. liobbs for taking charge of the decorative section; the ladies in charge o,f the tea rooms- and the stalls, and to the general committee. Sir Heaton llhodes paid tribute to their Excellencies for the great interest they had always shown in improving the gardens at Government House, btln iii Wellington and Auckland. He co; gratuluted the Horticultural Society obeing the only society in New Zealand who, owned its own hall. Her Excellency, who was accompanied s bv O. S. Hevmann, said it always gave her great plea-sure to come to :i Hutt Show for she knew from past experience what she may expert to see. She recalled the fact thai visiting the Hutt Show was their Kxcellencies' jirst public engagemeni af'ler their arrival in New Zealand and on that account .she bad always looked 011 it with friendly feeling, lier Excellency said that anytiling (o do wilh horticulture had a particular interest for her. She did not think horticulture in general in New Zealand needed any encouragement. She often wondered whether many of the flowers could be .further improved* It was always possible to learn something from a visit to a ilower show if it was only to learn ho to use the flowers for decoration; the daffodils and the hybrids had a particular appeal for her. Her Excellency urged the importance of every garden, however small, having at least one tree. Its fine straight bole was a fine sigh I, suiliciently removed from the house.

At the close of the show on Friday evening, the president expressed the thanks of the society to all those who had assisted in any way in the work of the show;

On behalf of the National Daffodil Society, the secretary, Mr. 11. Poole, jn r., expressed thanks for the co-opera-tion given to his society. He sail the show' was one of the most memorable in their experience. Not only did il:ey appreciate tho setting and -gpiie.-il arrangement of the show, but .:n3 warm hospitality they had received Jmu, r'iout their visit. Tin; trophies 0 f the Natiri il Daffo'jil Society and the Hutt Valley boriieultural Society were presented by Mrs J. S. Barton. A full list of awards will appear in our next issue.