BIG CROWDS AND MANY SMILES AT GARDEN FETE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18380, 4 February 1928, Page 6

BIG CROWDS AND MANY SMILES AT GARDEN FETE.

GOVERNOR-GENERAL PERFORMS OPENING CEREMONY TO-DAY. Bagpipes skirled; pretty girls performed gymnastic evolutions beneath a burning sun;.other pretty girls lured young men.-to. the ice cream tents; darts flew; shillings-flew; and everyone wore a smile at the big fete in the Botanic Gardens to-day. Organised-in aid of the Christchurch Domains Board and the Canterbury Agricultural Society, the function was an emphatic success. To catch the nimble sixpence and the modest shilling was the object of the showmen who clamoured loudly for business, and still more business, ■while the crowds paused in their march before the tents. It was. a silver harvest that was reaped by the stallholders. Money changed hands quickly. There were many ways of spending it. Bright-eyed young; women stood smilingly by while their escorts hurled darts at numbers on a wall; escorts stood patiently by the fortune-teller’s ■tent while bright-eyed young women looked into the future. There was about the fete the spirit of the gala. It was reflected in the smiles; it echoed in the shouts of the showmen; it was carried in the skirl of the pipes; it was in the dresses of .the ladies, in the merry- chatter of the children, in the sunshine and the jollity. Met at the gates by members of the Domains, Board and Fete Committee, the-Governor-General was escorted by the Caledonian Pipe Band to the platform on the archery lawn, from which he opened the fete. Mr George Harper, chairman of the Domains Board, said that the board and the Canterbury Horticultural Softietv were proud of the honour which was being accorded them by the presence of their Excellencies. A Beautiful Domain. His Excellency, after returning thanks for the welcome, said that no thanks were necessary to him and to her Excellency for coming to see that Tieautiful domain. It was a pleasure. . v ,* ; not a duty. He had t l come to enjoy an iafternoon amongst beautiful surroundf mgs. He did not intend to spoil it yfY : by making a long ! s P eec h I 1 was a vJk. • ; platitude to say . that Christchurch was a beautiful ' 4 city, but it should MHrWnSM be seen preferably in spring or in mid His Excellency, summer. In any case, visitors must be impressed by the foresight of those who laid out the city and prepared those public gardens. He knew of no more beautiful public gardens. The private gardens in Christchurch also added to the city’s attractiveness. If environment had a deep influence on people, the people of Christchurch should be the happiest and the most contented in the world. Those Regulations. “I have a few complaints to make,’/ his Excellency said. “ When 1 came into the gardens I- read the rules at the gates. I read that we could bathe only between 5 a.m. and 7 a.m., which is* much too early for us. I also read that no hoops can be trundled in the domain. This hit her Excellency harder than it hit me. We felt inclined to trample on all the conventions and to arrive with our hoops, which would be an effective way of entering the gardens. Lastly, I read that on r:o account was I to bring my dog. He is a great lover of flowers and he is iny constant companion, and it is my one regret that he had to be left behind to-day.”

Stalls and Stallholders. Against the background of fine trees, which cast a welcome shade, tents and stalls were erected and were well stocked with attractive articles, which found a ready .sale. The ..stalls and stall-hoklers were:— Ice 'cream and soft drinks—Mrs Arthur Rose Cakes~-Mrs Albert Coleman. Tea tent—Mrs Bernhard Ballin' and Willing' helpers. Sweets^ —Mrs J. K. Macdonald. Fruit and vegetables—Mrs J. C. Holmes'arid Harbour Lights Club and Jliss Fiddis and Miss M’Leod. Fortpne-telling—Mrs Bowler. ' Tobacco— Mr O. W. B. Anderson. ♦ Plants and flowers'—Mr W Balch. - Balloons —Mrs J. K. Macdonald. '■ Side-shows —Mr 11. Thropp. * Aunt Sally—Mr Bayard. Chocolate wheel- Mr C. Throp. Dresses at the Fete. ’ Her Excellency Lady Alice Fergus*on, who accompanied his Excellency, the’ Governor-Genera!, wore a becoming gown of black crepe de chine patterned in a small design in gold, pml% and green The frock was fashioned with a double skirt and a long front panel of beige pleated georg&tte. Her wide brimmed hat of black crinoline straw had a French flower mount round the crown. , Lady'Rhodes wore a frock of blue patterned crepe de chine with a crystal pleated vest of cream georgette and a black crinoline straw hat. Mrs Baird, Scotland, the sister of his I

Excellency, wore a jumper suit of dove grey crepe de chine, with a patterned border on the long jumper, a black crinoline straw hat with a swathed grey velvet crown. Mrs R. Moore wore a navy blue crepe de chine frock with a vest of Oriental net, a black silk coat, and a black crinoline straw hat.

GLADIOLI MAKE SPLENDID SHOW.

VARIETY OF COLOURS CHARMS HUNDREDS. The best display of gladioli ever seen in Christchurch is one of the features of the Canterbury Horticultural Society’s summer show, held at the garden fete in the Public Domains to-daj'. The gladioli blooms are varied, gorgeous, and magnificent. They demonstrate the highest standard reached in the cultivation of these popular summer flowers. Another feature of the show is the display of sweet peas, which are notable for a display made by Mr p. Vallange, of Dunedin. The show has a particular interest on account of Mr T. Bilb}' and Mr L. A. Jones sending gladioli from Wellington and Mr Harrison sending them from Palmerston North. Mr Malcolm has sent a beau- < tiful display of sweet peas from his J gardens at Bromley. The premier gladiolus bloom, entered by Mr R. F. Houlihan, is a beautiful flaked salmon pink. The premier seedling gladiolus is a scarlet bloom entered by Mr E. E. Wiltshire. In other sections, Mrs R. F. Stead has attractive displays of zinnias and of French and African marigolds, Mrs Ivory has a good displav of cut flowers, and Mr J. F. Yates has an interesting display of 1 ferns. . The whole show is the best the society has held. There are not many 1 roses, but what there are are good. The entries of vegetables are fewer than usual. The cookery exhibits are not as numerous as. the judges would have wished, but they state that the quality is good, especially in the ■child--0 Vice-Regal party were particularly impressed with the various entries in the gladiola sections, especially in the primulumus hybrid, and her Excellency said they were the best she had yet seen in New Zealand. Mrs Baird, who is a visitor from Scotland, requested some bulbs of many of the blooms to send to Scotland, where there flowers are so popular. Mr O. W. B. Anderson’s cup for the test big-flowered gladiolus was won by Mr R. E. Houlihan. Messrs Bayliss and Son’s cup for most points in the open gladiolus section was won by Mr W. R. Toon. PRIZE LIST. Following is the prize list: — CUT FLOWERS. Collection outdoor-grown (2)—Mrs Ivorv 1 A. Soanes 2. Collection annuals (2)—J E Yates 1 and 2. Twelve roses, distinct (2)—W. .I.’ Gabb 1. Six roses, distinct (2) —W. J. Gabb 1, B. Lloyd Six asters, double, three distinct colours —Mrs J. R. Watt 1. Antirrhinums, six colours (2)— J. E. Yates 1 and 2 African marigolds (5) —Mrs E. I*. Stead 1 and 2. French marigolds (4)—Mrs E. F Stead 1 and 2. Collection sweet peas (*>) —p. O. Vallange (Dunedin) 1, F. A. Thorne 2. Six vases sweet peas, distinct (3) —P. O. Vallange 1 and 2. Sweet peas, three distinct varieties (31 —P. O. Vallange 1 and 2. Sweet peas, one vase (3)—P. O. Vallange 1. Zinnias, six colours (3) —Mrs E. Stead Amateur. Twelve outdoor-grown (3) —Miss X. Turner 1, F. H. Dephoff 2. Collection annuals, six distinct (.2) —B. Soanes 1. Miss X. Turner 2. Three asters, doublte, light (1) —rMrs H. Reid 1. Three asters, single (1) ; —F. H. Dephoff 1Antirrhinums, three colours (1) \V. Hawkins I. French marigolds (2)—O. W. B. Anderson 1. Salpiglossis (1)Miss X. Turner 1. Phlox drummondi (2) —W. Hawkins 1. Miss X. Turner 2. Nemesia (I)—Miss X. Turner 1. Shasta daisies (5)—W. Hawkins 1, F. J. Adams 2. Daisies, other . than shasta (3) Miss X. Turner l. F. H. Dephoff 2. Scabious (6) —F. H. Dephoff 1, C. D. Marks 2. Gailliardias (4)—G. T. Taylor 1, F. IL Dephoff 2. Zinnias (1) —O. W. B. Anderson 1. Verbenas (2)—Miss X. Turner 1, W. Hawkins 2. Vase coreopsis or c-.alliopsis (2) —Miss X. Turner 1. F. H. Dephoff 2. Petunias, three single (4) —-W. Hawkins 1, Miss X. Turner 2. Three double petunias (2)-—H. Williams 1. Miss X. Turner 2. Roses, twelve distinct (2> —W. J. Gabb 1, B. Lloyd 2. Six distinct roses (2)—W. J. Gabb 1. B. Lloyd 2. Three roses, distinct (4) —P. O. Vallange (Dunedin) 2 and 2. Sweet peas, six varieties (41- — P. O. Vallange 1 and 2. Three varieties (2)—P. O. Vallange 2 and 2. Vase sweet peas, six spikes (2)—P. O. Vallange 1. DAHLIAS. Six cactus, distinct (3) —Mrs H. Reid 2, F. J. Adams 2. Three cactus, distinct (2) —Mrs H. Reid l, O. W. B. Anderson 2. Six peony dal i lias, distinct (1) —Mrs H. Reid 2. Three peony, distinct (1) —Mrs PI. Reid 2. One bloom, decorative (1) —Mrs H-. Reid 1. G LADIOLI. Open. Collection eighteen varieties hi- Collection twelve spikes, distinct (6) —E. E. Wiltshire 2, W. R. Toon 2, J. Marshall v.h.c. Six distinct varieties (G) —G. T. Taylor 1, C. Pease 2, W. R. Toon v.h.c. Three spikes red, distinct (4) —C. Pease L, A. Soanes 2, W. Hawkins v.li.c. Three spikes, white (4)—\\\ Hawkins L W. R. Toon 2. Three spikes, pink (2)—W. Hawkins 2, A. Soanes 2. Three spikes any other colour (2) —C. .P.ease 1, A. Soanes 2. One spike, any colour (4)— A. Soanes 1, VV. R. Toon 2. Three spikes, ruffled, distinct (3) —W. R. Toon i, C. Pease 2. Gladioli-primulinus hybrid, six varieties (i)—t. «■. Bilby. Three varieties (6)—T. C. Bilby 1, W. R. Toon 2. Gladi-oli-primulinus hybrid, three spikes (7)— W. R. Toon 1, A. Soanes 2. Premier —W. R. Toon 1, A. Nine spikes, distinct (5) —W. Hawkins 1. W. S. Young 2. Six spikes, distinct (7)—A. Gallop 1, E. Cooper 2, C. E. Hoxeman v h c. Three spikes, distinct (!») —F. C. Fairclough 2, W. Hawkins 2, 2-’. J. Adams'v h e. Spike white (8) ——W. Hawkins 1 and 2. Spike red (8) —W. Hawkins 2. C. E. Hoxeman 2. Spike pink (7) —W. Hawkins 1 and 2. Spike any other colour (10)—F. C. Fairclough 1, C. Schumacher , 2. Three spikes ruffled, distinct (4) W. Hawkins 2, W. S. Young 2. Three varieties primulinus mybrids (7) —W. I S. Young 1, W. Hawkins 2. Three spikes primulinus hybrids, one variety (9)—W. S. Young 1, O. W. B. AnderPremier bloom, gladiolus, “ Laldley *' ; —R. F. Houlihan. DECORATIVE. [ Open. Dinner-table decoration (6)—Mrs J. May 1, Mrs J. May and Mrs Faith, equal, 2. Bowl of flowers (G) Mrs J. R. Watt 1, Mrs Faith 2. Mrs J. May i and Miss M. A. Pavitt vhc. Two vases of (lowers (7)—Mrs S. E. Harrison 2, Mrs A. Coleman 2, Miss E. Hawkins vhc. Basket of flowers (5) —Mrs J. May 1, Mrs Faith 2. Bowl of gladioli (2 > —Mrs Harrison 2, Mrs Coleman 2. Lady's spray and gentlemen’s buttonholes (3) —Mrs Faith I and 2, Miss E. M. Hill vhc. Bouquet of gladioli ( 2) —Mrs J. Faith 2. Dinner-table decoration. girls under 1« (3) —Edna Brown 1, S. Coleman 2. Vase of flowers for table, children under 16 (4) —It. Broadway 1, S. Coleman 2, Edna Brown FRUIT. J Open. ? Apples, culinary, two varieties (2) 1 Miss X. Turner l and 2. Apples, culin--1 ary, ;ne variety (4) T. E. Yal-es I, -> Miss X. Turner 2. Apricots, one va-r----7 iety (I)—Miss E. M. Hill 1. Twelve 1 plums, dessert, one variety (1) Miss X. ; Turner I. Five tomatoes, one variety j (5) —M. R. Rawle 2 and 2. 2 NOVICES. Six outdoor-grown cut flowers, dis- . tiriot <3 > —Mrs S. E. B. Harrison 1, j Miss R. Broadway 2. Three spikes 1 gladioli (4)—II. Wiltshire 1. T*. ,T. OY'.oni nor 2. Six spikes gladioli (I)—P. J. ((’('minor 1. One spike gladiolus (S> —- O. W. B. Anderson 1 and 2. Three cac--3 tua dahlias (1> —C. Pease 1.

VEGETABLES. Oiyen. Collection vegetables, twelve distinct kinds (I)—Miss Turner 1. Six distinct kinds (6)—Miss X. Turner 1, C. D. Marks 2. Potatoes, three varieties (31 —Miss X. Turner 1, B. Soanes 2. Six ■white, one variety (6) —R. Toon 1, B. Soanes 2. Six red, one variety (8) Miss N. Turner 1, A. Soanes 2. Peas, twenty pods, one variety (S)—Miss X. Turner 1. C. I). Marks 2. Rhubarb (3) —C. E. Hoxeman 1, F. H. Dephoff 2. Cabbages, one variety (1)—B. Soanes J. Cabbages, red. one variety (1)—B. Soanes 1. Vegetable marrows. (2) —Miss X. Turner 1, B. Soanes 2. Parsnips (3) —J. H. Dephoff 1, Miss X. Turner 2. Carrots (3) —F. H. Dephoff 2, B. Soanes 2 Turnips (4)—F. H. Dephoff 1, Miss N. Turner 2. Beet (5)—F. H. Dephoff 1. R. Malcolm 2. Beans, runner (5)~ Miss N. Turner 1, B. Soanes 2. Beans, French (7 >— C. E. Hoxeman 1, F. H. ’ Dephoff 2. Onions (B)—Miss X. Turner 1, H. Williams 2. Cucumbers (3)—Mrs , .T. R. Watt 1 and 2. HOME-MADE BREAD AND CAKES. Bread, not less than 21b (2)—Mrs ! -T. May l and 2. P'ruit cake (I)—Mrs R. Nairn i. Sweets (I)—Miss A. Wil- : liams. Madeira cake (1) —Miss Marks. < linger bread (I)—Mrs A. Sheppard, i Girdle scones (I)—Miss A. Sheppard 1. . Sponge sandwich, with butter (1) L ! Miss J. May 1. Children Under Sixteen. i Cornish pasties <l)—Miss S. Coleman 1. -lam tarts (I)—Miss S. Coleman l. Sausage rolls (I)—Miss S. Coleman 1. Swiss roll (I)—Mies S. Coleman 1. Scones (2)-—Miss B. Broadway 1, Miss - S. Coleman 2. POT PLANTS. ; Open. . Group staged for effect, Sir R. Heaton Rhodes’s prize (l)—W. E. Clothier 1. • Group of ferns (I)—J. E. Yates 1. Six begonias, tuberous, distinct (I)—j Yates 1. Six streptocarpi, distinct' (1) W. Taylor 1. Six ferns, distinct (2) . .7. E. Yates 1, W. Taylor 2. Specimen fern (2)—,T. E. Yates 1, W. Taylor 2 J Specimen plant (1)—.1. E. Yates’l. 1 Three ferns. distinct (I)—w. F . Clothier 1. Four stove or greenhouse I plants, distinct (1) —W. E. Clothier 1.