ANNUAL DAHLIA DISPLAY

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXII, Issue 18661, 22 March 1935, Page 8

ANNUAL DAHLIA DISPLAY

MAKARAKA FUNCTION MAGNIFICENT BLOOMS CHURCH FUNDS BENEFIT ' The Makaraka-Matawhero Hall presented n colorful scene yesterday afternoon and last evening on the occasion of the annual dahlia display and sale of work held, in aid of the Makaraka Anglican Church funds. The function was organised by the lady members of the church, who decorated the hall and arranged the stalls and floral display. ; The. remarkably fine collection of Mr. Heath Johnstone's dahlias, together with a fine display of flowers from Mr. Alex. Thomson's nursery, provided attractive, features of the exhibition. Mr. Johnstone's dahlias included some of ithe latest importations and his blooms were greatly admired. Some oT the outstanding flowers in the decorative section included the following kinds: Indiana Moon, Croydon Supreme, William Read, Jubilyne, Grey Dawn, and Rosemary. Amongst the exhibits there was also a number of; choice specimens of the hybrid cactus variety. Although the display included many magnificent blooms, Mr. Johnstone explained that the. recent storm had destroyed the majority of his premier blooms. Sufficient time had not elapsed .for these to be replaced by later flowers. Speaking of dahlia cultivation, Mr. Johnstone said it had been a most trying season, this year, the continuous wet weather having forced the plants into rapid growth and produced sappy conditions. Many of the blooms, jvhieh measured as much as 12in. across, had become waterlogged and damaged. Mr. Thomson's exhibition comprised blooms chiefly of the miniature and medium decorative varieties of dahlias. Many of these choice flowers had been raised from Mr. Thomson's seeds, and one outstanding variety had been named after the late Mr. George Darton, a keen horticulturist. At the Horticultural Society's recent dahlia show a plant of this variety gained the prize for the best seedling. The two displays were the central feature in the hall, while several competitive classes were located on either side. Stalls were pleasingly arranged in different parts of the hall, while afternoon tea was served by a capable band of ladies.

The- function attracted a large attendance, including many townspeople, and good business was ' transacted. With the co-operation of the Ohrisp Music Company, a wireless set provided musical entertainment. The function concluded >vith a sale of flowers. Competitions were also conducted, while much entertainment was provided by a mock art gallery supervised by Captain Roe, of the Church Army. COMPETITIVE SECTION

The competitive section of the dahlia exhibition, which also presented a colorful display, was judged by Mrs. C. H. Bull and Miss M. Bull. The results were as follow:—

Bowl of mixed flowers, 4 entries.—Mrs, Thodey, 1; Miss M. Herbert, 2. Bowl of dahlias, 4 entries.—Mrs. Thodey, 1; Mrs. Elude. 2; Miss M. Herbert, 3.

Bowl for luncheon table, 5 entries.— Mrs. Eade, 1; Mrs. Thodey, 2; Miss M. Herbert, 3. Jug of flowers, 10 entries.—Miss E. Jones, 1; Mrs. Eade, 2 and 3. Tumbler of flowers, 4 entries.—Mrs! Thodey, 1; Miss M. Herbert, 2; Mrs. W. W. Smith, 3. Vase of asters, 1 entry.—Miss M. Herbert, 1.

Three varieties of decorative daisies, 2 entries.—Mrs. Darton, 1; Mrs. Thodey,

Three hardy outdoor flowers, 2 entries. —Mrs. G. ( Jones, 1; Mrs. Thodey, 2. Children's class, gentleman's buttonhole, 23 entries.--Joyce Hart, 1; Joyce Marshall, 2; Babs o''Meara, 3. The willing band of stallholders included the following:—Work stall, Mesdames Royds, Stevenson and Eade; cakes stall, Mesdames Barrow and Jones, and Miss Jones; sweets and ice-cream, Mrs. Ashdown, Misses Spratt, JacKson and M. Herbert; produce, Mesdames Darton and Westall, and Miss Smith; afternoon tea, Mesdames .Jackson, Herbert, Moore, Livingston, Spratt, Chapman and Gibson, and Misses Smith and Livingston; fish pond, Mrs. Marshall and Misses Houghton and Jackson.

The different competitions were supervised as follow:—Dart-throwing board, Mr. Vaughan; candle competition, Mr. A. Dunstan; estimating' weight of cake, Miss Herbert; cork competition, Mr. Fade; rifle shooting, Mr. L. Eade; naildriving competitions, Messrs. R. Muir and Clare. The winners of the competitions were:—Cake estimating, Miss E. Jackson j rifle shooting, Rev. Mr. Stevens; ladies nail-driving. Miss M. Herbert : gentlemen's nail-driving, Mr. L. Stanbridge; candle competition, Miss Audrey Eade.