PICTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XXXIX, Issue 22, 30 November 1907, Page 26

PICTON HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Picton’s spring show was a great success this year, in spite of a storm which visited the town the week before. "The Picton Horticultural Society is an institution of which the town may well be proud,” says the "Marlborough Press,” for its position to-day is a very strong one, and the ladies and gentlemen who guide its destinies favour a policy of progress, and act accordingly whenever opportunity offers. From its precarious financial position of a few years ago, the society has steadily advanced, and it now has a credit balance of sufficient size to provide for a “rainy day.” The credit for this happy state of affairs is undoutedly due to the executive officers, but they will freely admit that their efforts, great as they have been, would have been so much energy wasted had it not been for the loyal support accorded them by the other members of the committee, the exhibitors, the general public, and last, but not least, the donors of special prizes. Under the circumstances, the steady progress and improved conditions of the society cannot be considered surprising; in fact, it serves as an indication of what may be expected in the future.

The judges had by no means an easy task to perforin, as the exhibits in the various classes and sections were o. a very high order of merit, and hard to separate on points of excellence. However, they carried out their duties conscientiously and well, and their decisions gave general satisfaction. The judges were as follows: —Pot plants and cat flowers, Messrs. Chinn and Bruce; bouquets and floral devices, Mesdames Griffiths and Pentreath; domestic produce, Mesdames Dunean, Fraser and Fryer; fruit and vegetables, Mr D. Fraser. The attendance of the public was wi ll up to the average, and those present took a keen interest in the various attractions of the show, the many choice exhibits being greatly admired. The special class for roses proved a popular innovation, and the competition for Dr. Redman’s handsome Challenge Cup induced a display such as has never before been seen in Picton. The trophy was won by Mr John Conolly, of Blenheim. A splendid exhibit by Mr G. J. Riddell was disqualified, owing to some of the blooms having lieen misnamed. ’