MATAMATA FLOWER SHOW

Matamata Record, Volume XIX, Issue 1788, 3 December 1936, Page 4

MATAMATA FLOWER SHOW

CHOICE SUMMER BLOOMS Quality Better Than Ever Although the weather had not been propritious for either flower-growing pr exhibitions, the sixth annual flower show of the Matamata Horticultural Society, held on Wednesday, turned out to be a creditable success and was patronised better than ever. The day broke and kept exceptionally fine following two days of broken weather, and although the number of entries was not as great as expected, being hardly up to last year, the quality was better and in certain sections outstanding. The drop in entries was most noticeable in cut flowers, but on the other hand the increase in the vegetable section was most marked and the quality was also very good. Indeed, the outstanding features of the show were the vegetable display and that of pot plants.

Great credit is due to the president, Mrs. W. L. Hollis, the secretary, Mr. W. S. Wilson, and the executive for the effort made in the face of such adverse circumstances.

Show Opened by Mayoress

The show. was opened by the Mayoress, Mrs. W. A. Gordon. In introducing Mrs. Gordon, the president, Mrs. W. L., Hollis, congratulated the officials and exhibitors on the success of the sixth show, in a poor season. She thanked all ’or the splendid work put in and the support accorded. Mrs. Gordon expressed her pleasure at. being asked to officiate. In admiring the flowers she wondered how many of them ever thought of what went to make up a flower. There was the brown soil, the moisture, the frost, the cold winds, the manure, and the love and attention, and “ Solomon in all his glory had not been arrayed like one of these.” The speaker complimented the officials on their continuous 'effort to keep the show going and the president and secretary for the amount of work which they had to do. She was well aware of what effort was necessary both before and after a show. She regretted there was only one court this year but complimented the entrants on its high standard. In conclusion,’ the Mayoress i.Vrked' that when they gave praise to the grower of beautiful flowers, they should also praise nature for the beautiful growth brought forth. it gave her much pleasure to declare the show open. . ’ ' Mrs. Gordon then presented the Cummings Shield to Mrs. G. Stewart (secretary of the Matamata Women’s Institute.

PRIZE LIST

The prize list was as follows: — Roses Six Blooms in Vase for Quality and Effect.—Mrs. W. T. Thornton 1. Distinct Varieties, 3.—Mrs. Keeley 1, Mrs. Scatchard 2. Wichuraiana Sprays, 3 —Miss Montague 1 and 2. Dark, Varieties, 3.—Mrs. D. R. Gunn 1, Mrs. A. Puckeridge 2. Light Varieties, 3.—Mrs. W. W. Wright 1, Mrs. W. Hollis 2, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 3.

Long Stems, 3.—Mrs. F. W. Wright 1. Champion Rose.—Mrs. F. W. Wright, “ Schengruss.” Sweet Peas Distinct Varieties, 9. —Mrs. Baker 1, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 2, Mrs. T. Paton 3. Distinct Varieties, 6. Mrs. J. E. West 1, Mrs. C. Baker 2, Mrs. J. Keeley 3. Distinct Varieties, 3.—Mrs. J. E. West 1, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 2, Mrs. -C. Baker 3. Cream or White.—Mrs. T. Paton 1, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 2, Mrs. C. Baker 3.

Vase Pink or Rose.—Mrs. T. Paton 1, Mrs. C. Baker 2, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 3. Vase Crimson and/or Scarlet. Mrs. C. Baker 1, Mrs. J. Keeley 2, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 3. Vase Blue and/or Mauve. —Mrs. J. E. West 1, Mrs. C. Baker 2, Mrs. W. S. Wilson 3. Vase Violet and/or Maroon.—Mrs. W. S. Wilson 1.

Vase Colour Blending or Comcast. —Mrs. T. Paton 1, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 2, Mrs. F. W. Wright 3. Collection Named Varieties.—Mrs. T. Paton 1.

Champion Sweet Pea.—Mrs. J. E West, “ Rubicund.”

Cut Flowers

Collection, six kinds, in 2 vases.— Mrs. D. R. Gunn 1, Mrs. J. Keeley 2, Mrs. Madill 3.

Petunias, 3. Mrs. J. E. West 1, Miss Montague 2, Mrs. W. S. Wilson 3. Lilies, 2. —Mrs. W. L. Hollis 1, Mrs. Wilson 2. Lilium, 2. —Mrs. D. R. Gunn 1. Delphiniums, 3. —Mrs. J. Keeley 1, Mrs. Robinson 2, Mrs. J. R. Roberts 3. Stocks, 6.—Mrs. J. Keeley 1, Miss J. Baker 2, Mrs. J. E. West 3. Antirrhinums, 3 colours. Mrs, Scatchard 1. Larkspurs, 6 spikes, 3 or more colours. —Mrs. Robinson 1, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 2. Gaillardias, 6. Mis. Robinson 1, Mrs. Scatchard 2, Mrs. Mullane 3. Aquilegias, 6.—Mrs. W. S. Wilson 1 and 2. Sweet William, 6, 3 or more colours. —Mrs. H. Robinson 1, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 2, Mrs. J. Keeley 3. Pansies, 6 colours. Mrs. Scatchard 1, Mrs.' J. H. Hawes 2, Miss Gwenda Griffiths 3.

Pansies, 3 colours. —Mrs. J. Keeley L, Mrs. J. E. West 2, Miss Gwenda Griffiths 3.

Violas, 3 colours. —Mrs. J. Keeley 1, Mrs. W. S. Wilson 2, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 3.

Vase, collection flowers not mentioned in list. Mrs. Scatchard 1, Mrs. J. E. West 2.

Iceland Poppies, 12 blooms any colour. —Mrs. N, Maddox 1, Mrs. J. R. Roberts 2, Mrs. Madill 3. Oriental Poppies, 3 blooms any colour. —Mrs. G. G. Bell 1 and 2, Mrs. W. S. Wilson 3.

Nemesia, 6 sprays.—Mrs. J. E West 1, Mrs. J. Keeley 2, Pholox Drummondi, 6 sprays. Mrs. J. Keeley 1 and 3, Mrs. Mullane 2.

Candytuft, 6 sprays.—Mrs. J. Thomson 1, Mrs. Puckeridge 2. Calendulas, 6 blooms. —Mrs. West 1, Mrs. Mullane 2. Clarkia, 3 sprays.—-Taihoa School 1.

Dianthus, 3 blooms.—Mrs. J. E, West 1, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 2. Eschscholtzia, 12 blooms. Mrs, Mullane 1, Miss Montague 2, Mrs. D, R. Gunn 3.

Penstemons, 6 spikes, any colour— Mrs. Scatchard 1.

Gerbera, 3 blooms. —Mrs. J. E, West 1, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 2. Verbena, 6 blooms —Mrs. W. ,S, Wilson 2.

, Iris, bearded, 3 blooms. Mrs. J G. Mackereth 1.

Iris, Japanese, 3 stems. —Mrs. J, E. West 1 and 3, Mrs. W. L. Hollis 2. •/ - v

Geranium, 3 blooms. —Mrs. Scatch ard 1.

Flowering Shrubs, 3 varieties.. Mrs. D. R. Gunn 1, Mrs. Puckeridge

Collection White Flowers, 6 varieties.—Mrs. Scatchard 1, Mrs. W. T. Thornton 2, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 3. Canterbury Bells, 3 stems, any colour. —Mrs. W. T. Thornton 1 and 2, Mrs. J. E. West 3.

Any Other Variety of Flower, small, 12 blooms. —Mrs. L. C. Miers

Any Other Variety of Flower, large, 6 blooms.—Mrs. W. L. Hollis

Collection of Flowers from School Garden.—Taihoa School 1.

Decorative Bowl of Sweet Peas and Foliage. —Miss B. Madill 1, Miss J. Thornton 2, Mrs. J. Keeley 3. Bowl of Roses.—Mrs. W. L. Hollis 1. Dinner Table Bowl of Flowers. Miss I. Baker 1, Mrs. W. L. Hollis 2, Miss B. Madill and Mrs. W. L. Hollis 3. Bowl of Flowers, for effect. —Miss B. Madill 1, Mrs. W. L. Hollis 2. Jardiniere of Flowers. —Miss B. Madill 1, Miss J. Thornton 2. Miniature Garden. Miss Una Mateer 1, Mrs. J. R. Roberts 2, Mrs. W. F. Wright 3. Jug Flowers.—Mrs. D. R. Gunn 1. Floating Bowl. —Miss J. Thornton 1, Mrs. Scatchard 2. Tall Vase of Flowers.—Miss B. Madill 1, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 2, Mrs. C. Baker 3. Lady’s Shoulder Spray.—Mrs. W. S. Wilson 1 and 2. Decorated Palm Stand.—Mrs. D. R. Gunn 1. District Courts (W.D. and W. 1.) Matamata Women’s Institute. Pot Plants Fern. —Mrs. W. S. Wilson 1. Foliage Plant.—Mrs. J. R. Roberts I, Mrs. C. Baker 2, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 3. Flowering Plant.—Mrs. W. S. Wilson 1, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 2. Hanging Basket.—Mrs. C. Baker X, Mrs. Scatchard 2, Mrs. D. R. Gunn 3. Maidenhair.—Mrs. C. Baker 1. Begonia.—Mrs. D. R. Gunn 1. Vegetables, Etc. 'Collection of Vegetables, 12 varieties.—Mrs. J. Keeley 1. Collection of Vegetables, 6 to 9 varieties.—Mr. L. C. Mears 1, Mrs. J. Keeley 2, Mr. S. Stockdale 3.

Rhubarb.—Mrs. M. Buchanan 1, Mr. J. W. Hollis 2. Asparagus.—Mr. C. .E. Barry 1, Mr. S. Stockdale 2, Mrs. D. R. Gunn Cauliflower. —Mr. S. Stockdale 1, Mr. L. C. Mears 2. Cabbage, Enfield Market.—Mr. W. H. Carlson 1. . ; Cabbage, Drumhead.—Mr. L. G. Mears 1, Mr. R. J. Mateer 2, w Turnips.—Mr. J. Keeley 1 and 2. Red Beet.—Mr. L. C. Mears 1, Mr. W. H. Carlson 2. \ Broad Beans.—Mr. C. E. Barry 1, Mr. S. Stockdale 2. Peas.—Mr. L. C. Mears 1, Mr. J. W. Cranswick 2, Mr. S. Stockdale 3. Garden Carrots.—Mrs. , W. T.‘ Thornton 2. Potatoes.—Mr. J. Keeley 1, Mr. W. S. Wilson 2. Cabbage Lettuce. —Mrs. J. G. Mackereth 1, Mr. Grover 2 and 3. Radishes, long.—Mr. J. Keeley 1 and 2. Strawberries. Mrs. Roberts 1, Mrs. W. S. Wilson 2 and 3. Gooseberries. —Mrs. C. Baker 1, Mrs. Mullane 2 and 3. Plate of Red • Currants. —Mrs.

Baker 1.

JUDGES’ COMMENTS Commenting on the display, Mr. Pierson, of Te Aroha, one of the judges, said that the quality of the exhibits was much ahead of last year. The roses as a whole were not up to standard, but as it happened the show was a month too late for the best of these flowers; Considering the weather which had been experienced this season, however, the quality of the flowers as a whole was very good. Touching on the fact that the number of exhibitors was not increasing, Mr. Pierson gave some in-' 1 structive comment. He said that he , believed in spring shows to encourage continuity of effort and also because such a show came ofter a lengthy period during which there/ were very few flowers. Thus a big appeal was made to a flower-loving public by holding a show at this period of the year. Referring specially to the fact that entries were not increasing, Mr. Pierson said that this was the general experience at most country shows which he attended as judge. He believed this to be due to the unwitting competition of Women’s Institutes. These bodies - frequently ran little flowed shows or competitions with the object of encouraging a love of flowers, but un- / fortunately these had the effect,; so / - far, of destroying to some extent, interest in the larger shows because of / the competition involved. He felt ; that the /same obj.ect could be achiev- ~ - ed if Women’s Institutes co-operated : with local shows instead of unwittingly competing with them at pre-f sent. He had noticed this competi- • tion in Te Aroha and other centres/ and felt that if brought to notice an < improvement would result. If every- ■ one who grew flowers would only enter one or two as a sporting gesture, it would make a marvellous ' difference to local shows by increasing their size and encouraging the officials.