FLOWER SHOW

Southland Times, Issue 22487, 23 January 1935, Page 8

FLOWER SHOW

NATIONAL EVENT ENTRIES COVER WIDE RANGE COLOURFUL DISPLAY "(Per United 'Press Association.) Dunedin, January 22. The fifth New Zealand National Flower Show opened in the Town Hall to-day. The entries numbered about 2000 and the exhibits, which were sufficient, to fill the two halls to capacity, made a colourful display. The entries were representative of . all parts of the Dominion and covered a particularly wide range, one exhibit having been brought by air from Palmerston North. A feature of the exhibition was the competition for provincial displays, of which. there were six. The winning exhibit is being staged by North Otago, which was notable for its comprehensive nature, and tasteful arrangement. The show was officially opened by the Mayor, the Rev. E. T. Cox, and there was a particularly large attendance, among those present being the daughter of the British Prime Minister, Miss Sheila«MacDonald. The championship winners were:— Premier Sweet Peas: C. T. W. Semple (four awards) and V. Hamel. Dahlias: V. Hamel (two awards), F. Archer (four) and J. E. Grainger. Gladioli: Dr A. C. McKellop and A. L. King.

SOUTHLAND EXHIBIT

SECOND PLACE SECURED.

A NARROW DEFEAT.

(Special to the Times.)

Dunedin, January 22. In the fifth and probably the best National Flower Show held in the Dominion, Southland was narrowly beaten by North Otago for first place in the district comprehensive horticultural displays. These were one of the outstanding features of a show which was so well patronized by exhibitors from various parts of the Dominion that a fresh standard was set, while the attendance to-day already ensures financial success. That Southland was very worthily represented in the district exhibits was made obvious from the highly complimentary remarks passed by the thousands of visitors who to-day gazed with delight at the towering and mas-j sive display which occupied the most commanding position immediately inside the main entrance. The Southland organizing committee had reserved the maximum space, 300 square feet, upon which was erected a staging in pyramidal form to accommodate a comprehensive collection of pot plants, hardy flowers, fruits and vegetables, fully representative of horticulture in the district. The base of the pyramid measured 17ft. by 17ft. 6in. and was completely covered by a tin tray two inches deep, specially constructed for the purpose in Invercar-, gill. . . j On entering the hall one is immediately impressed by a large group of cool house flowering and tropical foliage and pot plants artistically arranged. The next side is comprised of a remarkably fine collection of vegetables and fruits, the extensive variety of which aroused much favourable comment. Another side contained hardy cut flowers, conspicuous amongst which were magnificent dahlias and gladioli. A wide and representative range of New Zealand native plants completed the pyramid. This in itself would have constituted an exhibit of outstanding character, but it 'merely formed the basis for a display which, while amazingly comprehensive, was also remarkable for originality and effectiveness of arrangement. From the apex of the pyramid a towering columnar stand containing carnations and gypsophila arose eight feet into the air, making the total height of the exhibit 15ft. 4in. More stands of this type filled with other kinds of flowers were arranged on shelves at the lower levels.

The upper portion of the stand was enclosed by a framework of metal pipe supported by four legs 10 feet high. The stand was so designed that this framework fulfilled four functions. From it were suspended dainty ferns and foliage plants growing in baskets. On the uprights were arranged brackets holding vases of cut flowers. In the corners high power flood lights were carried, while from the pipes themselves a very fine mist spray issued at intervals, the water being driven into pipes from a tray on the floor through a suction pump concealed beneath the staging. The controls for the lights and pump were ingeniously disguised on the gallery above the exhibit. This somewhat prosaic description may convey in a small measure to Southlanders unable to visit the show a dim idea of the novel nature and beauty of the display, but only those who actually witnessed the floodlighting and mist spray effects which so enhance the composite arrangement of the glorious blooms and rich foliage can claim to have appraised the exhibit to the full. It will be realized that an exhibit of this nature in open competition at a National Show demonstrates to people from all parts of the Dominion, including the many visiting delegates to the conferences, the horticultural potentialities of Southland. It should also be realized that such an exhibition demands a considerable amount of thought, work and organization on the part of those responsible. The effort began by Mr B. P. Mansfield, superintendent of parks and reserves, in May, 1934, culminated this afternoon in the exhibit from Southland which was so generously acclaimed by visitors. Inspired by his enthusiasm the organizing committee left no stone unturned to ensure worthy representation. A liberal response was received from Southland horticulturists, and Mr Mansfield toiled throughout the whole of Monday night to arrange the blooms and plants to the best advantage. On all sides it was conceded that the two outstanding district displays were North Otago and Southland, and if the former obtained a narrow lead for the first award, the latter easily outstripped the rest.

Interviewed by the Times representative as he was being showered with congratulations from visitors : on the quality of the exhibit, Mr Mansfield said he wished, as a secretary, to convey ' the committee’s gratitude to all those who made such success' possible by their contributions of flowers, to the voluntary assistants, both at Invercargill and at Dunedin, and to the business men of Invercargill, who. assisted with monetary donations and materials. The North Otago exhibit-unquestion-ably was a delightful floral display, winning because of the outstanding quality of the blooms, assisted by an artistic, though orthodox arrangement. It was not of the comprehensive nature of the Southland exhibit, nor did it possess the latter’s novel features, but no one would begrudge victory to the Oamaru growers, who showed that not only could they produce a *wide range of magnificently developed blooms, but they could arrange them with feminine artistry. The Waimate Horticultural Society’s exhibit, which filled third

place, was noteworthy for its display of fniit and vegetables. In the other competitive sections of > the show Southland was very lightly represented, most growers having sent their blooms to the committee in charge of the district display. Mr J. Stewart, Waikiwi, who exhibited in the' vegetable classes, was first in the vegetable marrows. Mr A. Brandford, of Riverton, showed some nice carnations, but they were not good enough to win. There were many Southland visitors in the Town Hall yesterday. Among the judges were Mr Mansfield and Mr T. Waugh, a son of a former superintendent of reserves at Invercargill. Owing to its outstanding success, the show may be continued for the third day.