NELSON.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVII, Issue XXVI, 26 December 1896, Page 240

NELSON.

Dear Bee, December 8. The Horticultural Society held their SPRING SHOW in the Provincial Hall last Tuesday and Wednesday. Notwithstanding that the season ha* been exceptionally unfavourable, the display of flowers, frnit, and vegetables were well worth seeing. It is a little late for roses, yet there was a very fair exhibition of tnese beautiful Howers, Messrs Hale, S. Bolton, and Fiven being the prize takers. There was a fair show of pansies, too, and some healtby-looking ferns and pot plants. The frnits looked delicions. and included cherries, gooseberries, red currants, and a few lemons. There were also bottled and dried frnits, and a variety of vegetables. Some of the table decorations were most artistic. The prizes in this class were decided by bailor, Mrs Kissline and Miss Levien gaining Ist (79 votes). Miss Wood 2nd (53 votes), and Miss Johnston was highly commended (51 votes!. The show was formally opened by the Mayor (Mr F. Trask), and during each afternoon tea was dispensed by Miss Bell, assisted by Miss Gascoigne and others. This is quite a new feature, and proved most successful. During the evening pianoforte selections were played by Mrs and Mita Greenfield and Miss Flett, and song* were ontributed bv Miss H. Reeves and Mr Sydney Trask. S >me of those pre-

sent were Mrs Pitt, who wore a gown of black crepon with ailk stripe, lace mantle, jet bonnet with smart black and white ribbons ; Mrs Turner, black silk Instre, bonnet with heliotrope flowers; Mrs Stephenson (England), stylish coetnme of white pique, shot green and red hat ; Mrs Kissling, light blonse, black skirt, large hat with cream flowers and Trilby ribbons ; Miss Bell wore black; Mies HunterBrown. very pretty blonse of green silk with yoke of cream silk, black skirt, shot green hat with shaded flowers; Miss Irvine, white mnslin, sailor hat; etc , etc. We had beautiful weather on election day, and polling proceeded quietly, although the keenest interest was taken, the result being that the Government candi-

date, Mr John Graham, was returned by a majority of over 300. During the afternoon an

EXHIBITION OF GYMNASIUM was given at the Boys’ College. The various feats were cleverly.t performed. The cup was won by Master Stuckey. There were only a few present, as the event had not been advertised. Mrs Mules, who presented the prizes wore black, black bonnet with pink roses ; Mrs Sclanders, stylish blouse of black and white striped silk, black silk lustre skirt, jet bonnet; Mrs Robinson, black ; Miss Mules, grey costume ; Mies Gibson, green ; Miss Watt, rose pink silk blouse, black skirt, floral toque; Miss Catley, grey lustre, the bodice trimmed with cream insertion, white straw sailor hat; Miss Gribben, blue blouse, black skirt, sailor hat with veil.

On Saturday afternoon Mrs Robinson and Mrs Harris chaperoned a large number of young people at a

PICNIC up the Maitai Valley, where a most enjoyable time was spent. This little gathering was got up chiefly as a farewell to Miss Zita Broad and others who are leaving Nelson at the end of this year.

Phyllis.