THE AWAPUNI COURSE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 23, 24 December 1938, Page 8

THE AWAPUNI COURSE.

A PICTURE OF BEAUTY

GAY WITH FLOWERS,

Noted for the picturesque beauty of its surroundings, the course provides an ideal setting for the throngs of racegoers on its spacious lawns with their background of trees and the brilliantly colourful flower beds, carefully tended by Mr W. G. Stevens and his staff, are delightful in their beauty. Numerous visitors were entertained at lunch and afternoon tea . to-day by the president (Mr L. H. Collinson)and Mrs Collinson, who extended gracious hospitality. There was a colourful picture when the meeting opened. Lavender catmint along the main driveway forms an effective border to orange red antirrhinums from w'hicli rise rose larkspurs. At the back of the saddling paddock scarlet and pink roses grace the pergolas in a riot of colour with nearby beds of matching antirrhinums. Harmony has been achieved in the beds round the Memorial Fountain and lakelet with giant red nicotine, pink and rose verbenas, blue and white lobelia or cherry red and orange verbena bordered with lobelia; pink stocks, argeratrn, Cambridge blue and white lobelia in yet another, or orange flame and apricot antirrhinums with light and dark blue lobelias. Phoenix palms are a new addition, eventually to form an avenue, set in beds of velvety blue violas, forming an arresting sight. The hydrangeas provide lovely patches of pastel shades behind tho lawns with charming contrasts of schi.'.anthus and antirrhinums. Silver birches are already making a good showing to divide the asphalt court from tho lawns, and other new additions are pink horse chestnuts, tulip trees, and limes. Tall rose-cola ired larkspurs along the fence frosting tlm main lawn make a spectacular setting for mixed anturhinums, and blue lobelias form a vivid border. In the centre lawn are mixed stocks, flame and orange nemesias, with borders of Cambridge blue .<>• belia. Most attractive of ail is the bed surrounding the judge s box, winch has, pastel shaded stocks unarm, antirrhinums and catmint Further variety is provided in The beds fronting the stand, with giant migonette to shed its fragrance, blue and jellow violas, stocks, and antir-lnnums and vivid orange nemosias, palms, and J drangeas glueing the . members enclosure. Round the kiosk roses are brightly blooming, further brightness being provided with begomas nicotine schizanthus, and stocks. Always < bright spot, the bird-cage has brilliant schizanthus, lobelias, and larkspurs with clumps of rose hydrangeas to make a nice splash of colour. A new bed on the way to the ledger stand is filled with hydrangeas and antirrhinums.