A FLORAL FETE.

Colonist, Volume XL, Issue 8746, 14 December 1896, Page 4

A FLORAL FETE.

AN UNPRECEDENTED AND LOVELX SFECTAOLE.

The Aaokland' Star' states—both from an artistic and a financial point of view, tha second floral fete of the Ladies' Benevolent Society held on the Ellerslie Eaceooorse on Saturday was an unexampled euecess, and the immense attendance far exceeded anticr* pations. The scene w»b the gayest and most animated yet witnessed at any out-day gathering in Auokland, and the floral exhii bitions and the bright dresses of the ladies imparted to the speoticle a liveliness of colour which will be long remembered. All tha colours of the rainbow, and many hoes whion the rainbow does not beast, were to be seen in the soorea of beautiful exhibits on view. Tbe flowers most favoured in decoration appeared to beroees of all colours, marigolds* red geraniums, c aisiea, batter-cops and popiea, but the choicer flowers of the hothouse were not wanting, and ferns and beautiful cative folio* age added in a high degree to the artistic excellence, of m&ny features in tbe Bbow. Tha "leafy buds and flowery bells" of the " fairey-peopled world of flcwerß," combined with the daintiest of ferns and greenest of indigenous foliage, as well bb much that was not native flora, gave the scene, in the grand prooe ssion most markedly, a garden-like effeofc which it is a thousand pities the photogra* phera cannot produce in oolcurs. gentlemen's bictole. This was the second best represented class at the fete, and is a very popular olaae, there being no less than 20 entries. A bike entered by Mr J Bendell, junr., attracted a good deal tf attention. The forepart of the machine was decorated bo as to represent a bird, tha wings beiog formed by marigolds and pinks', and the rest of tbe machine being profosely bung with flowers of many kindß. Mr Cecil Tilly bad the spokes ;of his maohine decked with alternate rows of fine daisies, marguerites and {ink geraniums, and the framework neatly hung with similar flowers. Mr Robert* eon got a very pretty effect with red geraniums, and by circles of red ribbon passed through the spokee. A*, the last fete the judges to take into consideration the effect produced by anything but floral det> orations. Mr M. Evett's bicycle was adorned wish moss, tastefully intentixed with red gerananium?, and over the machine was a half circle of mosß and flowers bearing on top the word "rambler" in moss.