SUMMER SHOW

New Zealand Times, Volume XL, Issue 9210, 2 December 1915, Page 3

SUMMER SHOW

OPENED BY THE PREMIER

DISPLAY OF CUT BLOOMS AND VEGETABLES.

The fourth annual summer show of tho Johnsonville Horticultural and Industrial Society was opened yesterday afternoon in Moore Bros’. Hall, Johnsonville, by the Prime Minister (the Bight Hon. W. F. Massey). The Prune Minister was introduced by Mr W. Cook (president of the society), and Mr Massey said it gave him great pleasure to bo present, as he took a keen interest in functions of that nature. A large proportion of the British race, he said, took naturally to tho soil as a moans of gaining a livelihood, and horticultural and kindred shows brought out competition and emulation, which meant improvement. Adam was a horticuiluralist, and the presont-day advancement was, in a large measure, the outcome of tho experiments undertaken by our ancestors. Wo were fortunate in living in a country whore it was possible to produce every comfort, and all that was necessary for the sustenance of mankind. Commenting on the fact that tho profits of tho show were to go towards the wounded soldiers’ fund, Mr Massey said that when extra taxation, which was estimated to return two millions, was imposed by Parliament, it was asserted that an end would be put to the generosity of tho people, but that had not been verified. Tho Auckland district had raised between two and three hundred thousand pounds for the wounded soldiers, which was an enormous sum of money. Groat credit had been done our soldiers at the front, and tho people of tho Dominion had risen to the occasion when called upon for financial help, but what had been 'done for “our boys” was not more than they deserved. (Applause.) Britain and her Allies were not at war for the sake of glory, aggrandisement, or tho acquisition of territory, but for peace, justice, and the right to live and carry out tho ideals for which they stood. THE CHEERFUL NEW ZEALAND SOLDIER.. Speaking of the JNew Zealand soldiers, Mr Massey said that the courage of those who had left our shores was surprising. They were not only doing credit to themselves, but also to tho country to which they belong. Their unfailing cheerfulness was remarkable. During the time tho men in camp were undergoing the most disagreeable experience in July; when hundreds of them were laid aside with sickness in the hospital on the racecourse, and elsewhere; wdion the doctors suspected that a disease had broken • out which they were almost afraid to name, the men were as cheerful as could be, and there was not a murmur, not a grumble. Again, when the soldiers were moved out of camp in dark and stormy weather to other camps, nothing was wrong, and they were as cheerful as possible. There was not a complaint when they left our shores, and one could not help thinking that tho men held it a privilege to be able to fight for their country and those they left behind thorn. (Applause.) Many of our men had been wounded, and some injured for life, but they were cheerful through it all, and the best those remaining here could do for them was no more than they deserved. (Applause.) Our soldiers wore not only a credit to everyone in the country, but they had made history. Still, it was “a long way to Tipperary,” and the endeavour of everyone should be to do their utmost to bring the British flag to victory in tho same manner as on the field of Waterloo. (Applause.) Mistakes had been made, and there was no denying that' Britain and her Allies had had reverses, but Britain always obtained one victory when at war, and that was the final victory that finished the war. (Applause.) After wishing tho society every success from a financial point of view, Mr Massey said ho had nothing to do with the money collected on behalf of the soldiers beyond seeing that the accounts were properly audited by competent auditors. Ho then declared the show open, after which a choir of school children sang several items of a patriotic nature. THE EXHIBITS. Tho exhibits of cut blooms, pot plants, and vegetables showed a decided improvement over those of last year, both in number and quality. As has been the experience in other places, the weather that has prevailed during the season has militated against the success of rose-growing, but the blooms that were staged • were very creditable specimens. The rose that has defied the elements better than most is “Mrs Joseph H. Welch,” and a bloom of this species exhibited by Mrs Porteous was awarded tho championship. A, feature of the exhibition was the excellent display of vegetables, notably potatoes, while in all classes under this heading there was keen competition, as well as in tho decorative classes. F. Westbury, Taita, had a very fine display of vegetables (for exhibition only), and has handed his exhibit over to the society for sale, the proceeds to go in aid of the fund which tho profits of tho show are to supplement. Another creditable • display is that of A. J. Shailer, nurseryman, Palmerston -North, who also is donating his exhibits. Mr A. J. Shailer was tho judge of the cut blooms, Mr F. Westbury the fruit and vegetables, and Miss Cooper decorative classes. LIST OF PRIZES. The following is the prize-list:— Pot Plants.—ln this class, Sirs, W. L. Thompson was first for asparagus plumosa and asparagus any other variety ; Miss Taylor for begonias and pelargoniums; Mrs W. Cook for maidenhair fern; Mrs Adams for double geraniums; Mrs J. Taylor for single geraniums; Mrs Gann for specimen foliage plants; and W. Mildenhall secured a number of prizes for his exhibits. Cut Blooms.—The staging of cut blooms was well above the average, and some very creditable specimens, other than roses, were placed on exhibition.

Mrs Bryant secured first awards for antirrhinums, ai'.d tor three blooms ol flowering shrubs; JMrs hi. Rickon for carnations and pelargoniums; Mrs MCook for delphiniums (2), irises, rhododendrons (2), and several second prizes; Rev. H. F. Petrie, for d;morphothoca, roses (5), besides second prizes; Hirschbcrg for gaiilardias. roses (2); Mrs Carmen for hardy perennials, and collection of hardy annuals; VC. Mildcnhall for roses and verbenas; Mrs Thompson for marguerites; Mrs Bethuno for pansies, violas, and collection of cut blooms; ilrs i’orteous lor roses (3), including the champion, together with the Belgian rose bowl; ilrs Taylor for doublo paconies, while other prizes were won by ilrs Rodda and JG ninths Fruit.—With the exception of gooseberries, the display of fruit was poor, prizes being won by H. B. Wolf (3), O'. Cook, and T. Pattle. Vegetables.—ln this class tho prizewinners were: T. Kirkpatrick. S. Bryant (10), Lutzky (3), F- Field, H. B. Wolf (2), O. Cook, J. Griffiths, A. Mildenhall (2), ilrs Larsen, J. Blau* (2), and J. Henderson. .Decorative Class—This was a very effective class, and the blooms wore tastefully arranged. Mrs Bethuno was the winner of seven first awards, and Miss JMcLuro three. Children’s Classes. —Tho prize-winners wore IS. and W. Taylor (bowl of sweotpcas), Boso Larsen (bouquet of flowers, and floral design), it. Thompson (buttonhole and basket of flowers), Gladys Grey (buttonhole), L. Thompson (decorated vaso for table), Edith Wolf (lady’s spray), and F. and 15. Wolf (lady’s trimmed hat, natural flowers). There was a very satisfactory attendance yesterday afternoon and evening. Tho show is to bo open again today, and it is expected that it will result in a substantial sum being taken in aid of the wounded soldiers’ fund.