WITH THE FLOWERS

Waihi Daily Telegraph, Volume XXVI, Issue 7908, 28 September 1929, Page 2

WITH THE FLOWERS

ST. JOHN'S ANNUAL DAFFODIL SHOW CHOICE DISPLAY OF BLOOMS OFFICIAL OPENING BY MAYOR The scene at the King’s Hall on Thursday, the occasion of the opening of St. John’s Church daffodil show and sale of work was, in one sense, a replica of former years, but the general scheme of decoration was quite out of the beaten path, the design of the roofing of the various stalls taking the form of old-fashion-ed cottages with coloured paper tiles. The imitations, using up reams of paper and involving an immense amount of patient labour, were works of art. Another innovation was a circular structure, composed of a series of bamboo arches and styled “fairyland,” the interiors being tastefully arranged. Daintily dressed dolls, paper flowers, the mushroom queen, resting on a huge imitation mushroom, with her retinue of fairies, old Mother Hubbard and her too many children, frogs, birds and denizens of the deep were ail to be seen in an effective galaxy of colour and form. The designer of this original scheme of decoration (Mrs C. Copestake) must have felt a measure of gratification at the flattering comments upon her handiwork.

The magnificent exhibit of blooms, not wholly confined to the graceful daffodil, indicated that florally Waihi is making material progress. Admittedly the great profusion of blooms on the long central bench and the individual tables were not all the product of local gardens* but fully three parts of them were grown by Waihi enthusiasts. The outside exhibits included consignments from Auckland, Tauranga, Katikati and Waikino and a special exhibit grown at the Waihi Beach by Mrs Rollett. This lady’s display of freesias —the largest blooms of the kind seen in Waihi —Brompton stock, polyanthus and pansies was very fine, indicating how well adapted the climate and soil at the beach are for the production of flowers. MAYOR’S GOOD WISHES Early in the afternoon the Mayor (Mr W. M. Wallnutt) officially opened the show and started off by saying that on this occasion the organisers of the annual floral exhibition had excelled themselves and congratulating the ladies and committee on the general scheme of decoration, especially complimenting Mrs Copestake for the magnificent results of her efforts and Mrs White for the very excellent arrangement of the blooms. Very few people, continued His Worship, realised the amount of work involved in achieving successful results in such undertakings. The large exhibit of blooms synchronized with the progress of Waihi. He himself was very optimistic and confident as to the future of the town, and had recently met some very prominent Auckland visitors who had expressed surprise at its bright and pleasing appearance. They had apparently had the impression that Waihi was going down and that the town was looking shabby, and they were agreeably surprised. In that connection he must pay a tribute to the Waihi Beautifying and Tree Conservation Society. The northern end of the town had been vastly improved, while at the western or main entrance, a great transformation had been effected, and when the cleared and trimmed spaces were carpeted with green the effect would be still more pleasing to the eye. The Mayor concluded with good wishes to all concerned for the success of the show.

The vicar (Rev. E. S. Wayne) thanked Mr Wallnutt on behalf of the committee and said he was grateful to that gentleman for his services, which he was always willing to give in all movements connected with the town and its progress. THE PRIZE WINNERS

The rain during both afternoon and evening no doubt interfered with the attendance, but it did not lessen the interest and pleasure of those present, quite a creditable

number in the circumstances. The business transacted, at the various stalls, particularly at night, was quite satisfactory. A very pleasing feature was the splendid array of

blooms in the competitive classes and the special exhibit of daffodils grown by Mr A. Bull —a brother of Mrs J. M. Cullen, of Waibi —in his garden in Auckland. The judging apparently necessitated a nice discrimination and Mr T. Morgan, who acted in the capacity of juclge, found his task a by no means easy one, in fact in the class for the best decorated tables he was unable to separate the leading exhibits and award first and second prizes and so gave two firsts. One table comprising gazannias

(flame and lemon) was most artistically set out, and the other, a table of Iceland poppies in rich shades of tangerine, was also exquisitely arranged. The equal firsts wore Mrs J. Cornthwaite and Mrs A. H. Clark. Another table which appealed to the judge’s eye was that decorated with wild clematis—arranged by Mrs Vincent Hollis —and this was highly commended. For the best twelve.assorted, locally grown daffodils the first prise went to Mrs Stewart Walmsley,

and the second prize to Mrs J. M. Cullen. The first award for the best decorated bowl (rose-bige Iceland poppies) was won by Mrs Hunter, and the second prize was awarded to Mrs Cornthwaite (a bowl of gazannias). Commenting on the large and varied collection of blooms, the judge said it was one of the best collections he had seen displayed

HOME INDUSTRIES

Home industries were well represented, apart from butter, the entries in this class being spinety-feat disappointing, but tbe comments made by tbe judge (Mr H. Dale) indicated that the exhibits in this section were of a high standard. The first'prize for unsalted butter went to Mr F. Hopkin, of Katikati, and the second to Mrs Copostako. First honours for salted butter also fell to Mr Hopkin, and the second prize to Mrs Cornthwaite. In the home cookery division —judged by Messrs Ford and Harrison—the awards were made as follows: —Sponge sandwich, Ist prize, Mrs Torrens, 2nd prize, Mrs Lightbourne; sponge sandwich (of an-

other kind), Ist, Miss, Forbes, 2nd, Mrs Beeche; plate of scones, Ist Mrs Torrens, 2nd, Mrs Ashby; Madiera cake, Ist, Mrs Torrens, 2nd, Mrs Hill; hen eggs, Ist, Mrs Rollett; duck eggs, Ist, Mr Hopkin. The stall-holders were aa follows: Fancy Stall: Mrs J, Say and Miss Usher. Sweets: Mrs J. Goodwin, assisted by the Misses Goodwin (2), Miss A. Farrell and Miss D. Pascoe. Produce and Cakes: Mrs R. C. D. Lightbourne, Mrs H. Mills and Mrs Gardiner. Refreshment Cafe: Mesdames F. Irvine, Patton, A. Leach and W. J. Verry. Jumble Stall: Mrs W. H. Yates. Plain Needlework: Mesdames E. Durston and Addie.

Fairyland: Mrs C. Copestake and the Misses Mary and Dolly Weedon . and Peggy Lightbourne. . Mesdames J. White, F. *VV- Malyon j and G. French had charge of the line ; array of massed blooms on sale. Just inside and to the left of the , main entrance Mr F. Close, assisted by Master Reg. Bell, presided over the microscopes. With the ■ aid of over a dozen microscopes, arranged round a long table, patrons were afforded the opportunity of seeing a variety of winged and crawling insects and atoms under powerful magnifying glasses. The exhibition was both interesting and instructive. The shooting gallery, in charge of Mr G. Copestake, assisted by Mr J. H. Woedou, attracted quite a lot of keen-eyed competitors, au,d both evenings saw much business done. , The quoits, in charge of Mr J. W. j Hurd, were also well patronised, and the efforts of that gentleman met | with good results. No little credit for the general ex- i cellence of the show is due to the J hon. secretary, Mr E. Durston. ' Owing to the wretched weather | conditions since the opening of the show the cQmmittee decided last 1 night that tl\e event be continued on 1 Monday evening, the doors opening * at 6.30. The various competitions < will be resumed, including those at < the popular shooting gallery and 1 quoits stand. t