LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8344, 12 December 1888, Page 2

LATEST INTELLIGENCE.

TARANAKI HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL SHOW. THIS I>A.Y. President : Mr H. R. Richmond. Vice-

Presidents : Messrs J. B. Roy and 0. W . Govett. Secretary and Treasurer; Mr John Skinner. Auditor: Mr A. B. R. Fookes. Committee of Management: Mesßrs H. Dempsey, T. Colson, J. T. Davis, W.H. Skinner, W. L. Newman, 0. Bellrtnger, and S. Brookes. Judges: Messrs OlifE and Chapman (Mitni)for vegetables and fruit ; Messrs ftidd (Inglewood), Hair (Manaia), and Livingston (Hawera) for pot " plants and oat flowers; Mesdames Haloombe, and 0. Douglas for bonqaets, drawings, &o.; Messrs Blnok and A. Ooleon for birds.

The seventh annual Show of the Tarariaki Horticultural Sooiety was held in the Alexandra Hall to-day (Wednesday). In former years the Show was held earlier in tho soasou, but this year it had been pat back a fortnigbt on account of the lateness of the season. Notwithstanding this, tbe lateness of the season, coupled with tbe exceptional weather experienced lately, has told on the . number oC some classes of exhibits, notably, the fruit, and in a lesser degree on the vegetables. Pot plantß and cut flowers, however, were very numerous, and the interior of the Hull, as usual, looked like a huge «3OUBervator*. The tables were arranged as iibuul, mmeljr, along ihrej sides "of the Hull, and in from o£ the stage, with a large table occupying the centre of tho floor. The centre table looked exceedingly pretty, the pot plants that covered it presenting quite a gorgeous and attractive spectacle, the varieties represented being too numerous to mention here. On the left side entering the Hall tbe stand was devoted to cut flowers, wreaths, etc, the exhibits being quite up to former years. Oa the opposite Bide a portion of the stand was devoted to a special prize competition. This was a prize presented by Mr Cottier for the most effectively arrunged table of pot plants (with' or without ferns), size of table to be 6ftx6ft. There were three entries, Messrs C. Bt-lliinner and W. Nicholls, and Mrs' T. Inch. The tables were quite a feature. The ri'Bt of the stand on tbe right wub dt voted to bouquets and fruit. The L'outnil School children's numerous efforts in thu tormer line being arranged here. The fruit wus a very small show, there being some limes, aitrons, lemons, orangeß, currants, gooseberries, and strawberries. In front of the stage the stand -was taken up with ferns principally, and bouquets, and vustis, or epergnes arranged for effect. Thin lust, named class was poorly represented in number, but those exhibited were very handsome. There wan also a portion of the left stand devoted to drawings by Bchool children, and on thia there were also several pictures on exhibition only, one of theße being by Mr F. Arden. In the sideroom the poultry cl .si was peihaps a little better represented than last year, but the show of pet birds was much belter, there being a good array of parrots, canaries, and other birds. The vegetables were in tbis room, and a very varied show there was, although small. There were some splendid turnips, parsnips, potatoes, beans, peas, cauliflowers, cabbages, lettuce, onions, and a very good sample bundle of rhubarb, which was in great contrast to the general stunted growth of rhubarb this season. In this room, Mr Mofflin, cabinetmaker, exhibited some handsome tablet, and piejees of fre .work, which are prizes in .the forthcoming Art Union. A " drejaserak," or patent universal crockery and glass drainer, was exhibited by Mesirß Browne and Johnston. Tbe invention ia one which would be found of great benefit in any household for keeping, glaas and crockery perfectly clean. A number jare in use in town, and have given every, satisfaction. Although the rain set in so heavily this morning the arrangements had been pushed tor'ward bo well tno proceeding day that everything was ready for the Judges to make a atari at half-past 11 o'clock, and therefore no great delay took place. ! The principal exhibitors are — Mesdames A. Standisb, T. Incb, Devenisb, and Weyergang, and Messrs. 0. Bellringer, 8. Brookes, W. Nicholls, and Pelhaua. All the exhibits are from the town, excepting one case # from Waiougona, and another exhibit from Urenui. To lend an extia attracti/e appearaace to the tables the walls of the hall were ornamented with ferns and nikaus, and the stas^e was similarly adorned.

For tbe two prizes for band bouquets open to children attending the primary Bchools, there were 48 entries for tbe closb for children generally; and for the olass for children under ten years of age there worb 17 entries. The prizes in the former class were presenced by Mrs GK Uitf, supplemented by 20s by Mr Chapmuu, 01 the Mimi, while the prizes for the oihar class were presented by Mr Jumes Hooker. Tbere were also 8 entries for a pr.zo, presented by Mr W. Walker, for hand bouquets made np by children under 16 years of age. Mrs Douglas was sole judge of the drawings, etc., on account of Mrs flalcome being absent, while the Judges of the flowers also awarded prizes for birds in absence) of Messrs Bluck and A. Colson.

Tliu Buow was formally opened at balfpttßi 2 o'clock by the Mayor, the attendance ut thi time being small. To-night tbe Snow will be open, when tbe Rifles Band will bo present.