OTAUTAU PATRIOTIC AUTUMN SHOW & EXHIBITION.

Western Star, 30 March 1917, Page 2

OTAUTAU PATRIOTIC AUTUMN SHOW & EXHIBITION.

Rarely has a show been launched at such short notice as was the cas.e with that held in Otautau on Wednesday and Thursday last. One mouth ago it was decided to hold a show. Within a week the schedule was compiled, printed and circulated. Many residents had scarcely wakened to the fact that a show was to be held, yet a really good all round entry of exhibits greeted the promoters, and stamped the proposition as something worth while. Though late in the season, and the occurrence of two frosts on the nights preceding the show, there was a very nice display of flowers. In fruit the chief display was apples, which drew from the judge, Mr Service, an expression of admiration, and deservedly so, as it would be difficult to get a finer exhibition of variety and quality, both in eating and cooking sorts. Mrs R. Ford took first prize in dessert apples with a magnificent sample of Peagood’s Nonsuch, Mr J. Palmer scored in cooking apples, and Mr J. Fisher in the collection of apples. In pears also there was a good shewing. Vegetables made a bold appearance, particularly so in marrows, as may be judged from the fact that the heavy weight scaled 381 b, and the runner-up 341 b. Potatoes generally are not showing the cleanest skin this year, though there were some nice clean samples. Mr Jas. Hall took first and champion with an early white entry. In the collection of potatoes (3 varieties) Mr N. McFadgen scored a win. In home-made bread, jams, j jellies, honey, butter, cakes, scones, pikelets, etc., the competition was keen, and all entries looked extremely appetising. —lndustrial Exhibition.— To give a comprehensive description of the work of the ladies in this department would require a. lady expert. To the eyes of plain man everything was dainty. In addition to the competitive classes, the Red Cross Society had a display of the goods they are making for the comfort of our soldier lads, and representatives were present plying the knitting needle, and prepared to give information or receive contributions for the noble work. —The Art Corner.—

In this section the committee had not fully caught the idea of what is required, and though the entry was

not large, yet there were meritorious exhibits. The pictures would have been displayed to better advantage if they had been hung. Probably when next we have an exhibition, control of the hanging will be placed in the hands of one who has studied the subject from the point of view of hanging and classing for competition—should competition be desired. Landscape, animal life, and fruit and flower studies comprised the exhibition, which attracted a large share of attention. —Curios.— The Town Board room contained a

collection of curios from all parts of the world, and was thronged with inquiring minds. Maori curios of all descriptions—greenstone weapons, ornaments, and trinkets, French papers, stamp collections, specimens of trench handicraft, the German iron cross, Egyptian shawls, African carring, miniatures of the chair in which the King is seated when crowned, and a thousand and one interesting articles. —Tea, Rooms, Sweets, Flower Stalls, etc.— The tea rooms were kept busy all the time, and lollies, flowers, and fruit found ready purchasers. —The Opening.— The show was opened at 2.30 p.m. on Wednesday, and business was brisk right from the start. Mr J. Fisher said he had been asked by the Committee to say a few words in opening the show. In the first place he wished all to understand that it was being run by the Otautau Branch of the War Funds Association. The show had been worked up hurriedly—only a few weeks had elapsed since the committee had decided upon holding the show, and being late in the season “ bustle ” was necessary. To those who had come forward with entries the committee returned their thanks, and hoped that the show would become an annual fixture in Otautau. Though it was late for a true exposition of floriculture locally, the show reflected credit on the exhibitors. The chief object in view was to raise, money for the sick and wounded soldiers and dependents. At present the Otautau W.F.A. numbers 80 members. On the Ist April a new year starts, and every man and woman in the district is invited to swell that number to hundreds. The fee is 2/6 per annum, and membership entitles one to a voice iu everything that is done. The association courts publicity, and the new members will have a free hand to criticise, initiate, and carry out whatever objects they may have in view—but the meeting is the place to fight out arguments. Over enthusiasm may have led to mistakes at times, but inactivity must share the blame. Up to the 31st December, 1916, the various War Funds Associations

throughout Southland had raised £103,500. Of Otautan’s share of that amount he could not give the precise figures, but the local association, which had been established twelve months, had forwarded approximately £4OO to tho central organisation. It was hoped to raise £IOO by the Show, but whether their expectations were fully realised or not, he hoped to see a large influx of new members of the War Funds Association. He had pleasure in declaring the Show open. PRIZE LIST. —Class A.—Pot Plants (Amateurs). — Judge: Mr Jno. Kingsland, Invercargill. Begonia, fibrous rooted, Miss A. O. Ring 1 and 2. —Class B.—Cut Flowers.— Judge: Mr Jno. Kingsland, Invercargill, Four Dahlias—Miss Robson 1. Collection of dahlias, 12 varieties—Miss Beck 1, Miss Robson 2, Six sweet peas —W. Porteous. Four gladioli—Airs Jaquiery. Vase of decorative dahlias— Nurse Liddell 1. Decorated epergne— W. Pox-Icons 1, Jno. Fisher highly commended,

—Class D.—Fruit.— Judge, Mr El. J. Service, luvercargill. Six dessert apples—Mrs R. Ford 1, Mrs G. E. Fisher 2. Six Cooking apples —J. Palmer 1, Mrs G. E. Fisher 2. Collection of apples—J. Fisher 1, Mrs Moffatt 2. Six Pears—Mrs J, Fisher 1 and 2. —Class B.—Vegetables.— Judge: Mr Service. Six Tomatoes —W. Porteous 1, Mrs Allen 2." Collection garden produce — W. Porteous 1. Two vegetable marrows—G. James 1, Miss Gray 2. heaviest marrow —Miss J. Beck 1, 0. Gray 2. Three carrots, short—Mrs G. E. Fisher 1 and 2. Three carrots, long —Mrs K. Gibson. Twelve French beans —Nurse Liddell ,!. Six scarlet runners—Mrs Parmenter 1, T. A. Stephens 2. Six onions—J. Palmer 1, Mrs G. E. Fisher 2. Six potatoes (early red) —R. Hazlett 1. Six potatoes (early white) —Mrs J. Hall 1 and champion, W. McGarvy 2. Six potatoes (late white) —J. Macdonald 1. Six potatoes (Up-to-date)—G. Scatter 1, N. McFadgen 2. Six King Edward VII potatoes—N. McFadgen 1, C. Nickolls 2. Collection of potatoes (3 varieties of each) —N. McFadgen 1.

Garton oats—S. James 1. Sparrowbill oats —J. Coombes (only entry) 1. English Ryegrass —S. James (only entry) 1. —Glass F.—Jams, Jellies, Butter, Honey, etc, —

Judge:—Mrs Dalrymple,, Waianiwa. Black currant jam—Mrs O. Clent 1, Mrs G. E. Fisher 2. Plum jam-—Miss Pearl Corkhill 1, Miss C. Clent 2. Gooseberry jam—Mrs J. Fisher 1, Mrs G. E. Fisher 2. Jam (any variety)— Mrs C. Clent 1, Mrs D. Templeton 2. Best jar apple jelly—Mrs Angus 1, Mrs J. Fisher 2. Black currant jelly, Mrs C. Clent 1, Miss C. James 2. Jelly (any variety)—Mrs J. Fisher 1, Miss Coombs 2. Best two sections honey— Mrs J. Hall 1, Miss Coombs 2. Best extracted honey, Miss Coombs 1, Mrs Dickson 2. Two lbs. fresh separator butter —Mrs F. Malcolm 1, Mrs D. Malcolm 2. Two lbs. separator butter (powdered) —Mrs F. Malcolml 1. —Class G.—Baking.— Judge: Mrs Dalrymple. Home-made bread, Miss 0. Harrington 1, Mrs P. Brown 2. Four girdle scones—Miss May Malcolm 1, Mrs J. Fisher 2. Four oven scones—Mrs J. B. Kirk 1, Mrs N. McFadgen 2. Four pikelets—Miss Rita Lindsay 1, Mrs Diack 2. Four oat cakes—Mrs N. McFadgen 1, Miss Ruby Lindsay| 2. Short bread—Mrs D. Templeton 1, Miss May Malcolm 2. Fruit cake — Mrs D. Malcolm 1, Mrs E. Malcolm 2. Sponge roll—Miss May Malcohni 1, Mrs X, McFadgen 2. Sponge sandwich— Miss Marion Gray 1, Mrs N. McFadgen 2.

—Class H.—Sewing, Crochet, Knitting, etc.—

Judges: Mrs Jv Allan and Miss Grieve.

Trimmed hat (natural flowers) —Miss Duff 1, Mrs Jas. Ross 2. "Hand-sewn buttonhole—Miss Daisy Wall 1, Mrs J. B. Kirk higly commended. Best dressed white shirt and collar—Miss Robson 1. Best darned sock or stocking—Miss Mclnman, highly commended, only entry. Best pair handknitted socks—Mrs H. Newman 1, Miss W T ebb 2. Fancy cushion—Miss E. Kirk 1, Miss McNaughton 2. Crochet (in cotton) —Miss Bell McNaughton 1, Miss M. Gibson 2. Table centre —• Miss Pearl Corkhill 1, Miss Campbell 2. Bed quilt, knitted —Mrs J. B. Kirk (only entry) highly commended. Collection of fancy work —Miss M. Gibson (only entry) highly commended. Plain sewing—Mrs J. B. Kirk 1. Mount Mellick work—Miss Duff 1, Mi’s D. Templeton 2. Best variety of needlework—Miss M. Gibson 1 and 2. —Class I.—Painting, Photography, etc.— Judge ; Mr H. McOhesuey. Landscape (oils) —D. Grieve 1, Miss O’-Donnell 2. Still Life (animals) —Mrs D. McPherson 1 and 2. Flowers and fruit—Mrs Moore 1, Miss O'Donnell 2. Painting in water colours —Miss Templeton. The decorated bicycle and push cart competition was decided by popular vote, and resulted as follows—Decorated bicycle—Miss A. 0. King 1, Miss Evans 2. Decorated push cart—Miss Evans 1.