LAVISH SCALE

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26707, 28 February 1948, Page 6

LAVISH SCALE

FLOWER SHOW OPEN ON WEDNESDAY COUNTRY DISTRICTS' SUPPORT With the prevailing accent on superlatives in the matter of centennial displays and exhibitions, it is"fitting that every effort has been made to ensure that the Centennial Flower Show and its attendant displays in the Town Hall next week will be the most lavish and impressive scheme ever produced in Otago, if not New Zealand. The display will be opened on Wednesday afternoon and will

close on Friday night. Visitors entering the foyer of the Main Town Hall will find that it has been decorated with ferns and greenery from the west coast of Otago in such a manner as to simulate the' type of floya seen by the early settlers on them arrival. All the material used will consist of plants native to Otago. From this realistic setting spectators will pass into a delightful indoor garden, the central theme of which will be the Wheel of Time, indicating the passage of the century. Realism will be added by the fountain which will adorn the centre of the garden. The paving surrounding it will be Oamaru stone.

Central Otago has played a full nart in the preparations for this ambitious undertaking and committees throughout the province have spared neither effort nor expense in organising the lay-out of their own particular exhibits. All the materials to be used will be specially transported from areas which have been grouped under the district titles of North Otago, South Otago, Taieri, Middlemarch (Strath Taieri and Maniototo), Roxburgh and Central Otago. These country displays will be set out in bays surrounding the central garden. Among the local displays will be a floral design prepared by the Otago Women’s Club to emphasise the contrast between modern interior decoration and that of the Victorian era Typical furniture of ,the two periods will stand on floral carnets, and the blending accessories will provide an attractive display. One of the most delightful touches is expected to be the window garden, decorated with cacti and succulents and overlooking a natural garden prepared by members of the Dunedin Gardening Club. Part of the window space will be taken up by an exhibit of aquarium fish, and other novel devices will be garden paths and a waterfall The whole lay-out is confidently expected by horticulturists with wide experience overseas to be unique in the history of the Dominion. It appears that no detail has been overlooked by the large committee responsible. There will even be a model vegetable garden, a display bf horticultural books, special screenings of films of Dunedin gardens, and an exhibition of living floral pictures. Special decorations will be prepared in every part of the Town Hall by various bodies interested in horticulture.