AUCKLAND CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXI, Issue 9490, 20 April 1894, Page 3

AUCKLAND CHRYSANTHEMUM SOCIETY.

FIFTH ANNUAL SHOW. Thi fifth annual show in connection with the Auckland Chrysanthemum Society was opened in the Choral Hall yesterday afternoon, under the most favourable circumstances, and in the presence of a large gathering. The decorations of the hall, which had been left in the hands of Mr. Thomas Cran-, well, of Mount Eden, were bright and attractive, and quite in keeping with the rich display of flowers. The foliage used in the decorations consisted of bamboos of various kinds, pampas grass, New Zealand flax, and draccems and other native evergreens, the whole making a most artistic display. The front of the platform was set by two splendid groups of foliage plants, one exhibited by Messrs. D. Hay and Sou and the other by Mr. Thomas Cran well. The former consists of stove plants from the greenhouse, and is perhaps the grandest group exhibited in Auckland, containing, as it does, variegated dractenias and arums.' Mr, Cranwell's group was accorded first prize, the judges preferring his from an artistic point of view. Another feature of Mr. Hay's exhibits are his hanging baskets of ferns and foliage plants. The number of blooms shown this year is not as larpe as at the previous exhibitions, but the quality is much superior, and the blooms bear evidence of more careful cultivation. There are a lot of new varieties, which take the place of many of the old. Amongst the new Japanese, Colonel W. B. Smith, an American variety, undoubtedly takes first place. It is a full Japanese, of deep bronze colour, and grows on a dwarf plant. The six blooms ofthis variety shown by Mr. T. Wells, of Cambridge is the finest exhibit of Japanese ever shown in Auckland. Another fine new variety, is the Excelsior, a silvery mauve, with six fine blooms, of which Mr. J. W. Tibbs was second to Mr. Wells. Eynsford white and yellow Lacroix were again shown in grand form. Another new American variety is Harry May, a grand bronze incurved Jap. R. C. Kingston, a deep purple, was shown in grand form by Mr. T. Whiteley, of Otahuhu, the champion of this year, whose Japanese blooms surpass in size, colour, and freshness, those of any large exhibitor in this or previous shows. Florence Davis, the new white of the year, with green centre, was also shown, but was hardly a good form. Of the new ones of last year Gloire De Rochar, Anno Hartzon, Mr. A. H. Neve, Rohollien, Caesare Costa, and William Tricker take very prominent places on the show boards, and many older varieties, such as Thunberg, and Slanstead seen in excellent form. The red and bronze Edmund Molyeux is conspicuous by its absence, the season having been unfavourable. Of lady exhibitors. Miss Carruth, of Papatoetoe, shows some splendid blooms, quite equal to those of Mr. Whiteley and other large growers. In the incurved sections a few good blooms are shown, but the great majority are not what they should be, the queen family being as a rule undeveloped. The reflexed section is represented by one exhibit of very poor merit, the climate of Auckland seeming unsuited for this class. The ladies of the Auckland district have contributed greatly to the success of the Show. There are nine exhibits of table decorations, all of exceptional merit, and the task of judging these was one of no ordinary responsibility. The first prize was secured by Miss E. A. Scherff, the second by Miss Winifred Dudley (who exhibits for the first time), the third by Mrs. J. L. R. Bloomfield, while Mrs. Temnler's exhibit was highly commended. Hand baskets, exhibited for the first time this year, brought out keen competition, no less than 57 being entered. Miss E. A. Scherff again secured first honours, Miss Dorothy Fenton being second. A pale pink basket by Miss Edna Bell attracted a good deal of notice. The children's handbaskets were exceedingly creditable, the honours being won by Rita Hancock, Ruth Rendall, and Florence Clapcott. There was a very large show of bouquets, 27 of which were made up in the hall by school children. Of these Lilian Baker was first, Muriel George second, Lilian Kissling being highly commended. In the amateur bouquet division 11. Miss Edna Bell shows one of the best bouquets in the hall. In Division I. Miss F. Kissling takes first prize both for bridal and hand bouquets, a performance which is repeated by Messrs. C. S. McDonald and Son in the professional class. There are some, inteeresting exhibits of cut flowers, those in varieties by Mr. McDonald and Mrs. Stych, and dahlias by Mr. Mclndoe being specially noticeable. Judging did not commence until half-past one o'clock. Mesdames A. Clark, Ware, and Mr. F. Bennett were judges of table decorations, hand-baskets, and bouquets. The other judges were : —Open Class : Messrs. Archdale Tayler and F. Shaw; amateurs, Messrs. D. Hay and T. Whitely; professionals, Messrs. J. W. Tibbs and T. Wells. The arrangementsofthe show were excellent.and reflected considerable credit upon the standing committee, Messrs. J. W. Tibbs, F. Shaw, F. T. Ward, and the honorary secretary, F. H. Templer. The latter worked most assiduously for the convenience of exhibitors and the comfort of visitors attending the show. THE OPENING. Four o'clock was the hour fixed for the opening of the exhibition, and by that time there was a very large attendance. Amongst those present were : His Worship the Mayor (Mr. J. J. Holland), the Mayoress and the Misses Holland, Bishop Cowie, Mrs. Cowie, Sir Robert Stout, Mr. A. Porter (chairman Chamber Commerce), Mr. P. A. Philips (town clerk), Revs. Beatty, Purchas, Williams, Mr. W. P. Moat, and Captain Whitney. His Worship the Mayor, in opening the exhibition, expressed pleasure at being present. He was much struck, he said, when entering the hall, by the grand display of chrysanthemums, which he was sure could not be excelled. He was certain that they would all agree with him when he said that their florists and amateurs had made crreat progress in the cultivation of flowers during the last few years both as regarded perfection and variety. When they contrasted the first exhibition of the society, held five years ago, with the present display, they would acknowledge that what he said was correct. No doubt their beautiful climate favoured them in no small degree in this particular branch of floriculture. Anyone visiting the Park during the past season would have seen to what extent the work of proEagation had been carried on. There had een no less thaa 62,000 plants removed from the propagating houses in the Domain to the Albert Park. He thought the citizens were fortunate in having a man like Mr. Goldie to superintend their parks. It was pleasing to see that the Society had made a new departure this year, for which the committee were to be commended. He alluded to the competition for dahlias, pot plants, and other cut flowers, which he considered was a step in the right direction. He thought they might go still further, and offer prizes for a few very choice fruits. Another good feature in the exhibition was the competition for table decorations and baskets of flowers, which he was sure would produce good results, as the entries this year had proved. The prizes offered for competition for school children would do a considerable amount of good in the future, as it tended to promote in the young people a taste for horticulture. The exhibition was to have been opened a week earlier, but the postponing of it had resulted in a much better display of blooms than would have been possible the previous week, as the chrysanthemums, owing to the backwardness of the season, were only now flowering. _ He concluded by congratulating the cemmittee on the success of the exhibition. _ Hunter's band was present during the afternoon, and rendered a choice selection of musical numbers. The following is a list of the prize-takers: OPEN CLASS. 12 blooms, 6 varieties, reflexed, 2 blooms each : D. Hay and Son, 1 ; M. McDermott, 2. 12 blooms new chrysanthemums, in any number of varieties, to be exhibited in I vases with foliage aud correctly named :D. Hay and Son, 1 ; J. W. Tibbs, 2. 6 blooms Japanese, 1 variety: T. Wells, 1; J. W. Tibbs, 2. Pot Plants.— specimen chrysanthemum, in pot not exceeding 10 inches : E. Jones, 1; T. Whiteley, 2. 4 hanging baskets, any flowers or foliage : D. Hay and Sons, 1 and 2. Group of any flowering or foliage plants, in pots, to cover space not exceeding 30 square feet: T. Cranwell. 1; D. Hay and Son, 2. Bouquets, Etc. (any flowers, ferns, foliage, er grasses).—Table decorations: Miss E. A. Scherff, 1; Miss W. Dudley, 2 ; Mrs. J. L. it. Bloomfield, 3 ; Mrs. Templer, highly commended. 1 bridal bouquet: C. S. McDonald and Son, 1; Mrs. T. Cranwell, 2. 1 hand bouquet: C. S. McDonald and Son, 1; Mrs. T. Cranwell, 2. 1 hand basket (any flowers or foliage): Mrs. A. E. Scherff, 1; Miss uoiothy Fenton, 2. 1 hand basket (any flowers or foliage), arranged by children : Miss Rita Hancock, 1; Miss Ruth Rendell, 2; Miss Florence Clapcott, 3. Collection of Cut Flowers.—24 distinct varieties : C. S. McDonald and Son, 1 ; Mrs. J. R. Stych, 2. 12 distinct varieties: C. S. McDonald and Son, X; Mrs. J. B. Stych, 2. 12 double dahlias, distinct: W. Mclndoe, 1; Miss C. Speight, 2. 12 cactus dahlias, 6 varieties, 2of each variety: D. Day and Son, 1; W. Mcludoe, 2. Pompon dahlias, 6 bunches of three distinct: W. Mclndoe, 1 and 2. Single dahlias, 6 bunches of three distinct; W. Mclndoe, 1 and 2.

PROFESSIONAL CLASS. Cut Blooms: Chrysanthemums.—-36 varieties being 18 incurved and 18 Japanese, 1 bloom each. N.C.S. bronze medal: T. Whiteley, 1; D. Hay and Son, 2. 24 blooms, incurved in not less than 13 varieties, nor.more than 2 blooms of a variety. N.C.S. bronze medal :T. Whiteley, 1. 12 varieties incurred, 1 bloom each ;T. Whiteley, 1. 24 varieties Japanese, 1 bloom each. N.C.S. bronze medal: T. Whiteley, 1; », Hay and Son, 2. 12 varieties Japanese, 1 bloom each :T. Whiteley, 1; E. Jones, 2. AMATEUR CLASS. Cut Blooms: Chrysanthemums.—Division I.J 36 varieties, being 18 incurved and 18 Japanese, 1 bloom each. N.C.S. bronze medal: M. McDermott, 1; T. Wells, 2. 24 blooms, incurved in not less than 18 varieties, nor more than 2 blooms of a variety. N.C.S. bronze medal • T Wells, 1 ; M. MclJermott, 2. 12 varieties incurved, 1 bloom each : Miss Carruth, 1; W. Handley, 2. 24 varieties Japanese, 1 bloom each. N.C.S. bronze medal :T. Wells, 1 ; W. Handley, 2. 12 varieties Japanese, 1 bloom each: T. Wells, 1 and 2. Division II.: 18 varieties, being 12 Japanese and 6 incurved, I bloom each, distinct: Miss Carruth, 1; W. Handle?' 2. ' varieties incurred, 1 bloom each, distinct: Miss Carruth, 1; F. Da vies, 2. 6 varieties Japanese, 1 bloom each, distinct: Miss Carruth, 1: F. Pilcher. 2. Bouquets.Division I.—l bridal bouquet. Miss F. Kissling, 1; Miss Violet Speight, 2; 1 hand bouquet : Miss F. Kissling, 1; Miss Violet Speight, 2. Division ll.— bridal bouquet : Miss A. Millbank, 1. 1 hand bouquet: Miss Edna Bell, 1; Miss Laura Close, 2. For Lady Members Only.—l 2 varieties Japanese, 1 bloom each : Miss Carruth, 1. 6 varieties Japanese, 1 bloom each ' Miss Carruth, 1. Novice Class.—6 varieties incurved, 1 bloom each : C. Grindrod, 1. 0 varieties Japanese, 1 bloom each : C. Grindrod, 1. Children's Bouquets.—l hand bouquet, made up under supervision in the exhibition-room, by a child under 16 years of age : Miss Lilian Baker, 1; Miss Muriel George, 2; Miss L. Kissling, highly commended. CERTIFICATE CLASSES. Professional.—T. C. P. Whiteley, 23 points, N.C.S. Certificate, 1; D. Hay and Sou, 7 points, 2; E. Jones, 2 points, 3. Amateur T. Wells, 19 points, N.C.S. Certificate, 1; M. McDermott, 10 points, 2; W. Handley, 5 points, 3. Champion Class.—The Championship will be determined by the Open and Amateur Prize Exhibits in the Certificate Classes being judged to. gether, and scored as above. The winner will be entitled to have his name engraved upon, and to hold until April 1,1895, the Dewes Challenge Cup, and will receive a silver N.C.S. medal : T. C. P. Whiteley, 16 points, Cup, 1; T. Wells, 11 points, 2; M. McDermott, 7 points, 3. THE EVENING. There was a crowded attendance throughout the whole of the evening, and the greatest interest was taken in the exhibits. The table decorations proved very attractive, and were much admired. Hunter's Band was again present, and enlivened the proceedings by their tuneful music. This afternoon there is to be an afternoon tea, at which the lady members of the Society will preside. Lady Glasgow and party have signified their intention of being present. The exhibition will be open in the evening from seven to ten. The Young Ladies' Orchestra, under the conductorship of Miss Reeve, will perform. The exhibition will close to-morrow evening. AUCKLAND KENNEL CLUB. The annual meeting of the Auckland Kennel Club was held at the club-room, British Hotel, last night. The chairman, Mr. C. J. Phillipps, pointed out that the year 1893 had not been as successful as the previous year, the revenue having considerably decreased. This was to be accounted for in a great measure by the counter-attractions on the day of the show, the unfavourable weather, and the time of the year at which the show was held. However, by exercising the strictest economy they had succeeded in keeping the expenditure within the income. The balance-sheet presented and adopted showed the receipts to amount to £41 Os lOd, and the expenditure to £33 17s Id, leaving a balance in bank of £7 38 9d. The expenditure in connection with the Show w&3 £53 2a Id, and the receipts £33 13s, representing a loss of £19 93 Id. The following officers were elected for the ensuing year;— Patron, Lord Glasgow ; vice-patrons, Major Elliott, Messrs L. Ehrenfried, W. D. Holgate, H. N. Watson ; president, Mr. A. W. Chatfield ; vicepresidents, Messrs. W. J. Caverhill, H. C, Choyce. W. H. Cooper, T. Morrin, B. J. Esam, J. O. Evett, W. F. Massey, J.J. Holland, A. H. Granger, H. Walker, J. Wakefield, W. C. Walker, I. Wansbrough, A. A. White, P. L. Wright, H. Barter, E. Mitchelson, M.H.R.; committee, Messrs. C. J. Phillipps, W. S. Morrin. A. B. Barter, Thos, She wring, A. H. Cotter, J. Gallagher, T. MaEwin; honorary veterinary surgeons, Messrs. E. B. Kinloch and E. D. Halstes»d; honorary treasurer, Mr. C. J. Phillipps; secretary pro tern., Mr. F. Avery. Mr. Grosvenor explained that owing to business arrangements he could no longer hold office as secretary, and a vote of thanks was tendered to him for his services in the past. Mr. J. Gallagher was also thanked for giving the club the free use of the room in which the Society held their_ meetings. _ On the motion of the chairman, it was decided . : ■, that the Auckland Agricultural Association ! \ be thanked for its efforts in connection with the closing of the quarantine station at Motuihi, and that the closing would be a great hardship, and would do an injury to the colony by preventing members of the club from importing fresh blood. Eight special prizes were promised for the next show, which the meeting recommended should be held in September or October. At the close of the annual meeting the committee met and elected Mr. C. J. Phillipps as their chairman.