NATIVE FLOWER SHOW

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21396, 20 October 1934, Page 4 (Supplement)

NATIVE FLOWER SHOW

By Adeline Waller, Halsley Road, Manurewa. (Original.) Gleaming sprays of golden \owhai, Kohuarangi fair, Red and white and pink clianthua, Daphne on the air. There the pale and dear clematis Climbed a punga tree, And the toaa blooming For all of us to see. But the flower that set me dreaming Of an old-time place I hnoW, Was the little white manuka, Pride of all the show. The third annual spring show of native flowers was opened last Saturday at the War Memorial Museum, where over 300 species of plants were exhibited. It was arranged by Miss S. Cr an well, botanist of the museum, as a memorial to the late Mr. T. F. Cheeseman, who for 50 years was curator and one of New Zealand's most notable botanists. The entries in the children's classes proved that interest in nature certainly is not lacking in young New Zealanders, for there were innumerable flowers sent by children from as far north as Opua and south as Napier. Especially interesting were the " foods for birds " classes, for which nectar and berry-producing plants were exhibited. Besides the plants there were other interesting things to see—books that were evidently the prizes, and a collection of beautifully painted china. A large number of native flowers were painted on cups, plates and vases, but what I thought the prettiest was a small cup and saucer with a design of our common bulrush. I never imagined, it could look so dainty and striking! It is splendid to have such shows as this, which teach us all about our flora, so that when the time comes for us to protect our priceless heritage we will bo able to do so. Lindsay Grigg.—A nice little letter, Lindsay. Please let me know next time you writo whether you are boy or girl, as your name doeis for either. Robert Hudson. Your address wiw omitted when the poem was published, Robert, so will send you a card. Thelma. Sutton.—Glad to get your newsy letter, Thelma. I don't remember receiving the first one, but it was not disqualified. A badge form will be printed soon. Yes, my garden is a mass of colour now. Cathie Matthews.—Letter on white butterfly very interesting, Cathie, and will use it. Joyce Anderson.—l am sure your garden will soon look very pretty, but beware of that littlo black bunny, although I wouldn't like to hear you had set a trap for him. Black rabbits are uncommon. Joan Schwarz. —I appreciate your poetic effort, Joan, hut arn afraid it is not quite up to publication standard. Alan Bates.—You may send in the collodion, Alan, but you should join our Circles next time a form is printed. • Arthur Max.—Glad to have you as a member, Arthur. Save the story for a competition. Florence Cook.—We have no overseas pen-friends' list, Florence. The other questions will be answered to-day. Eunice Graham.—l am afraid Slinky was a bold, bad cat, Eunice, and doesn t doserve a place on our page. Marion Bartley.—Sorry to hear you have all had the whooping: co.ugh, Marion. YVnat a "Whoop-ee!" household it must have been when you were all coughing together! I hope your little bunnies will thrive m the hutch. I had two once upon a time, but a horrible dog broke in one night and killed them both. Iris Reeves.—Story of "Satan rather farfetched, Iris, but your style is improving. Nellie Anderson.—Story too much like a fichool composition, Nellie, although I think you would set high marks for it in class. Willow Macky.—<l liked the little poem, Willow, but Spring is rather too advanced for it to bo used now that the daffodils are all over. Spring was "on her way" two months ago—summer is on the way now! Gwen Graham. —All the cards have been sent out, Gwen, so yours must have arrived by now. LETTERS AND SUNDRY ITEMS RE- i CEIVED FROM:— Marion Bartley, Rona Cosier, Nellie Anderson, Jeannie du Pontet, Iriß Dutton, Kath Ca'rns. Eileen Martin, Harold Gil- j more, John Morrovr, 1