AUCKLAND CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW.
THE Auckland Chrysanthemum Society may well be congratulated on the success of its eighth annual Show. This year it was held in the Drill Hall, which was an immense improvement on the Choral Hall. There was more space for the exhibits, and, consequently, they appeared to better advantage. Another reason for congratulation was in the general improvement manifest in the Society. This is due to the energetic secretary, Mr Fred Pilcher, whose love for this particular flower is well known. The hall itself was particularly attractive from the fountain in the centre to the inviting afternoon
tea-tables at one end, and the bunting and decorations at the other. The opening day was well attended, and Hunter’s Band provided some excellent music then, and on succeeding afternoons and evenings. The flowers themselves were exceptionally excellent, a result hardly hoped for with the Janua-y storm and drought. The blooms exhibited by Mr Alfred Taylor were beautiful, his 36 Japanese taking first honours in that competition. The new varieties, Souvenier de Petite Arnie, Madame Chatin, Mrs E. G. Wills, Ivanhoe, Primrose League, etc., were much admired. Mr T. Wells, of Cambridge, who showed about 150 blooms, had some new beauties—Mrs T. C. Williams, Wakeley, etc. In the amateur class his twelve varieties of Japanese attracted much attention. Miss Carruth, in the six open class blooms, beat Mr Wells. Messrs D. Hay and Sons, as usual, in the professional class, had some lovely flowers, and secured in the certificate class the National Association's certificate. Messrs Hay and Sons carried off the similar honour in the professional. Mr Alfred Taylor scored first (31 points) for the championship (which carries with it the National Association Jubilee Medal). In pot plants Miss Ada Jacka was first in one Adiantum fern—a beautiful specimen. There were some exquisite cut flowers, Mrs H Campbell, who took second prize, showing a beautiful gold and crimson Canna. The table decorations are always of much interest to the ladies, who are keenly alive to any hints which may be picked up. The prizes for these were determined by ballot, with the following result :— Miss Burningham, of Lake Takapuna, Ist prize ; Miss E. Fenton, 2nd prize; and Mrs Harvey, 3rd prize. A quaintly original table was strictly d la Japanese with a native of Japan reposing peacefully on one side. Another, made entirely of crinkley paper decorations, was a ‘ happy thought ’ for days when flowers are scarce. The yellow and pink chrysanthemums were very cleverly made, and the butterflies artistic. There was a tastefully-designed fern grotto for afternoon tea, and this part of the show was much appreciated and realised a good sum, being well carried out. At night, when the Drill Hall was lighted up, the genera) effect of Chinese lanterns, fairy lamps, fern
fronds, beautiful flowers, gay dresses, laughter, animation and good music, was entrancing. The blooms were sold by auction on Thursday night, the third evening of the show, when there was a good attendance ofinterested flower-lovers.
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Bibliographic details
New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XVII, 24 April 1897, Page 505
Word Count
499AUCKLAND CHRYSANTHEMUM SHOW. New Zealand Graphic, Volume XVIII, Issue XVII, 24 April 1897, Page 505
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