GOLDEN BAY.

Colonist, Volume XIII, Issue 1285, 18 January 1870, Page 2

GOLDEN BAY.

CLIFTON HORTICULTURAL SHOW.

The fifth annual show of the Clifton Horticultural Society, took place id the school-room, Clifton, on Thursday, January 6th. For two days beforehand active preparations were being made by the Managing Committee, ably assisted by many others in erecting the Foresters' tent, which with its appurtenances, was procured from Nelson for the occasion. The weather was not promising; a strong westerly wind was blowing, with occasional showers, while on the Wednesday night a heavy storm accompanied with torrents of rain broke over the district, causing the rivers to rise, and quite preventing the Lady Barkly from landing her passengers, as intended, early on the Thursday morning. The morning for the show broke dark and gloomy, with occasional heavy Jshowers, which,- however, grew lighter as the day advanced, so that by twelve o'clock numerous visitors began to arrive from the surrounding districts, and many were anxiously looking for the steamer from Collingwood to arrive by the noon-day tide, as an open boat with four or five passengers, three of whom were ladies,' had arrived during the morning from Collingwood, bringing word that the steamer was lying there. Afc one o'clock the Judges had completed their labors, and the public were admitted to the show. The number of exhibitors was much larger than last year, and the room was completely filled with the different collections. -

Some very handsome boquets and a beautiful collection of moss and shell baskets, and also a minature fountain under a floral temple, presented a very attractive appearance. Many of the articles exhibited were not of very great excellence, the previous wet weather and the general prevalance of destructive grabs and insects during the spring, preventing the vegetables particularly from attaining auy very superior growth. Several exhibitors from Takaka this year took prizes ; and it is to be hoped that-oh a future occasion many more will be induced to exhibit.

At three O'clock foot-racing and lumping for small prizes commenced amongst the children, whilst football, quoits, and cricket occupied the attention of those of larger growth. Nearly everyone availed themselves of.the opportunity of visiting the beautiful grounds of Messrs. Gibson and Gilbert, which were as usual thrown open to the public. At five o'clock the adults assembled in the tent for tea, which (as well as the refreshments during the day) was provided on this occasion by Mr. James Rielly, of Takaka, who, by his attention and civility, gave general satisfaction. ' The evening's entertainment consisted of a' performance given by an amateur company, styling themselves the" Clifton " Christy Minstrels." The songs and choruses were well sustained, while the grotesque costumes, and the laughable manner in which the various anecdotes were told, would have been no disoredit tq a professional company. The stage was well lighted, and a very effective plantation scene; generously painted and presented to the company by Mr.. Gully, of Nelson, made up quite a theatrical appearance. J. M..Gibson, Esq., the President of (jhe sopiety, presided at the piano, kindly lent for the occasion by Dr. and Mrs. Tilby. The entertainment ooncluded with ; the. laughable farce of the Negro Postman, which was performed in a very effective manner, creating roars of laughter* During an interval in the performance, Mr. George C. Gilbert, the Chairman of the Managing Cony mittee, read the Secretary's report and the annual balance sheet of the Horticultural Society, and addressed » few wowfe to the meeting, ah^wipp'the

desirability of endeavoring to raise funds sufficient to purchase a tent and appurtenances for the use of the society and the district generally. This was heartily responded to, and between £3 and £4 were contributed towards that object upon the audience leaving the tent. At the conclusion of the perfortoance, Mr. George Taylor, on behalf "of the audience, rose to propose a cordial vote of thanks to all those who, by their exertions, had contributed to the preparations and arrangements fur that day's pleasure, which was responded to in the heartiest manner. Dancing commenced soon after eleven o'clock, and was kept up until daylight. About ten o'clock on the following morning, a young man arrived from Collingwood with the news that the Lady Barkly was lying there with forty: or fifty Nelson excursionists on board, and that'she" would be at Motupipi about one o'clock. Although the tent was partially dismantled, and many things cleared away, ail operations were immediately suspended, and it was unanimously agreed that the show should be kept open another day. A messenger was dispatched to the tea contractor, whose residence was some five miles off, and who, by the bye, had taken away nearly all bis remaining provisions and utensils, wishing him to return and do his best to provide another tea, and the Clifton Christy Minstrels agreed to give another performance, although not in much of order for it, most of them having been very actively employed on the previous day assisting with the show, and up all night dancing, and having gone through their performance in the evening. Some ot' the neighbors, kindly, volunteered to go down to the beach with carts for the passengers who arrived by the steamer* winch very provokingly and unnecessarily ran two miles beyond the usual landing place,-causing an extra distance, for-the carts to travel. Tea was provided, and the excursionists had time to enjoy a stroll before dark in the beautiful grounds of Clifton Grove. Towards evening many other visitors in the neighborhood began to arrive, ; and by eight o'clock a very numerous audience was assembled, and the previous evening's entertainment was repeated, with the addition of the Farce of the Barber. A beautiful song of Sir H. Bishop's, " Tell me, my Heart," was kindly sung by Mrs.'S. G. Robinson, and effectively accompanied on the piano by Mrs. Tilby. A most enthusiastic encore procured " Ever of Thee," and another encore a duet, sung by Mrs. Eobinson and Mr. A. S. Collins, " What are the Wild Waves saying." ■fioon after eleven o'clock, the Nelson excursionists were taken down to the steamer, apparently delighted with their day's entertainment.