FORMAL OPENING

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 27 April 1923, Page 5

FORMAL OPENING

CONGRATULATIONS TO COMMITTEES

EXCELLENCE OF EXHIBITS

The show was formally opened by the Mayor of Nelson yesterday afternoon in the presence of a large gathering.

Mr Gilbert, on behalf of the Apple Show Committee, welcomed the public to the fourth annual show, and also the Mayor. He congratulated Mr Lock on his reappointment’ to the important position of Mayor and wished him a successful term of office. He also welcomed the Mayoress, and expressed pleasure at her restoration to health. The Mayor said he was very pleased to open the Provincial Apple show and Flower Show in' connection with t;.e Nelson Horticultural Society, arid thanked the committee for the oppo:"mity of doing so. He was not juaiiiiecl to give information of value in eonmvLui with such matters, but. the ccmnr.ttee who had had the. ' otganisi ig and gettikg together of the aplea-id display was to be heartily congratulated upon the success of their laboirs. J lie ex Hints were very fine i;/iced. and « ere arranged in a very attractive manner. The fruit- section exhiH.ts were splendid and would be a credit to any part, of tile Dominion or elsew'i ne. It vcuicl prove, he thought, a nvd-uion to e'-ei Nelson people to learn that such g.eat variety of choice quality fruits Cell Id oe grown in the district. It was an eveopener to Nelson people and a good advertisement, but it would, of course, be a greater advertisement if the people in the larger centres could see such a fine display and tangible evidence of what “Sunny Nelson” could produce in the fruit line. He attended a supper the other evening which was arranged by the Chamber of Commerce. when practically everything on the table was either Nelson grown or produced fn Nelson, and he was really surprised at the variety and quality of the articles and the attractive manner in which they were got up. A display of similar" articles in the large cities would cause much interest and be productive df good. In connection with all our industries we wanted more advertisement, but nothing would bo better in this direction than to give the outside public an opportunity of seeing the fruit we grow and the articles we produce. We could do with more loyalty Ideally by using and advocating all local productions. He regretted very much that the fruit industry was not in a flourishing condition to-day, owing principally to the fact that there was not sufficient demand for it in New Zealand. In this line it appeared that there was over production, but lie hoped that in the very near future markets would be found to consume the fruit and give a reasonable return, to the growers. For should the apple industry fail in this district it would be a- serious blow to the progress of the place—far more than the people imagine. I was glad to hear that those in the forepart of the industry were endeavouring to find other markets and also arranged for a better system of distribution of the fruit in Now Zealand. These men were giving a great deal of study and 'thought to this matter and it was to be hoped they would be successful in •their efforts to put the industry on a better footing. The horticultural exhibits, continued the Mayor, reflected :credit on the committee and all concerned. This part of the show was a worthy one and very attractive and contained many exhibits of a high-class character. It was a good idea to combine the two shows, as a greater attraction was provided and this should ensure a larger attendance. He hoped Hie show, which was a highly educative one regarding what the city and district could produce in the way of fruit and flowers, would bo largely attended and achieve the success it deserved. (Applause.) Mr 0. A. Harkness, President of the Nelson Horticultural Society, thanked the Mayor for his kindly references. He congratulated the Mayor and also the Mayoress whom he was glad to see restored to health.

On bebalf of the Horticultural Society (Mr Harkness presented (the Max-press with a handsome bouctuet. Continuing, Mr Harkness, after reference to the combination of the Horticultural Society with the Apple Show Committee for the autumn show, said ne had no fear of the future of the apple industry. He believed they would get over the' initial difficulties, -just as had been done in regard to butter and Other products. Nelson apples would become as famous throughout Australasia as Nelson chrysanthemums had done. For the foremost place Nelson took in the cultivation of chrysanthemums great credit was due to Sirs Merrick. For many years Mrs Merrick had grown and shown chrysanthemums of the highest standard. He ha/1 never seen at other shows chrysanthemums to equal the Nelson* chrysanthemums. Many new growers were following in the footsteps of Mrs Merrick, and lie hoped they would keep up the standard. The natural conditions in Nelson, added Mr Harkness, were particularly suited to the chrysanthemum.

The Mayor and Mayoress, also tho Mayor-elect, of Richmond (Mr J. A. Haycock) wore then tho guests of the Committee at afternoon tea, •