HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

Wellington Independent, Volume XVII, Issue 1803, 11 December 1862, Page 3

HORTICULTURAL EXHIBITION.

This exhibition notwithstanding the shortness of the notice, move thau realised the most sanguine expectations of its projectors. The number of specimens was perhaps not quite so great as on similar occasions that we remember, but the quality was decidedly superior. Of vegetables, some cabbages exhibited by Mr Tulley, elicited universal admiration, while the potatoes were all so good, that every sample had some favorable notice from the Judges. Of fruits there were strawberries, exhibited by Mr Pharazyn, of a size that we have rarely seen equalled. Some cherries shown by Mr Moore were aJso very| fine, as were some gooseberries shown by Mr Churchill, and a basket of assorted fruits from the garden of Mr Sellars was deservedly marked as a first prize. In flowers Mr Wilkinson bore the palm for nnmber and variety, although in geraniums and calceolarias Mr Bennett carried, off the prizes. Very beautiful devices and bouquets werejexhibited.by Mr Collins, Mr St. Hill, Mr Wilkinson, Mr Pliramer, and Mr E. W. Mills, and an Amaryllis from Mr Watt, and Orleandas and Camellias from Mr PHmmer, attracted great attention. Perhaps the most elegant flower in the room was a specimen of Escallonia shown by Mr Mantell, while two beautiful Vivaria exhibited by the Rev. A. Stock, and a small collection of Silk worms shown by Captain Buck, were mo3t justly distinguished by eutra prizes. Mrs Wilson amused the company at intervals by performing a selection of music on the piano. It is gratifying to add that nearly one thousand persons visited the room duriug the afternoon, and very gener.il satisfaction was expressed, and again, as in old times, the Horticultural exhibition seemed to take its place as one of those holidays in which all classes mingle and all alike enjoy. The amount of money taken at the gates of the cattle show was £23 9s. 6d. ; while that at the flower show was nearly £40, so that the exhibition, in a pecuniary point of view, was a decided success. One thing only was wanting — the customary dinner at its conclusion. The Duke of Richmond once said that " an agricultural dinner tended more to the creating of good feeling among classes than anything else," and it is undoubtedly a fact. We are in a position to state, however, that a dinner will shortly be held, and therefore this omission will bs remedied.