At Lake Takapuna.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVI, Issue 23, 6 December 1911, Page 37

At Lake Takapuna.

VISIT OF HORTICULTURAL ENTHUSIASTS TO ” TE KITEROA.” IN response to an invitation from Mr. Brett, some seventy members of the Auckland Horticultural Society and their lady friends journeyed by boat and tram to his gardens at Takapuna. The weather conditions were perfect for the outing, the air still, the sun shining, with a few fleecy clouds to temper the heat of his rays. Mr. Brett met his guests at the gate, and probably because he recognised carnation enthusiasts in the foreground, and could sympathise with their impatience, led the way to the carnation beds. Here the best part of an hour was spent inspecting choice blooms of the large number of varieties which Mr. Brett has imported from America, England, and elsewhere. The season, of course, has not been a favourable one, cold rains and boisterous winds having almost brought growth to a standstill, but one can imagine the sight this garden will present in a week or two, when the thousands of buds now

beginning to show colour are out in full bloom. From the carnations a move was made into the lower garden, where the gay colours of innumerable rows of sweet peas called irresistibly to the visitors. To pick tin* sweet- pea is merely an invitation to it to Hower again, and soon the ladies’ hands were full of blossoms, delicate or gorgeous, according as th<*ir inclinations moved them. Experts in the cult were mean while discussing tin* merits of rival varieties. One heard much of Maori Belle and Mrs. Charles Foster, and it is still in doubt which is the belle. After all, the distinction should probably go to Mrs. Hugh Dickson, despite the fact that she is not of the Maori Belle colour, but a delicate pink, for someone found two sprays of six blossoms apiece, which among sweet peas is a mark of the very highest breeding and culture. Despite the large demands made by carnations and sweet peas, time was found to admire beds of cream and white stocks, of centaureas (Sweet Sultan) in unusually wide range of colour, purples, blues, golden yellow, white and cream. An immense bed of delphinium, grown, as the guests were assured, from a single packet of seed, ami mingling the most

glorious blues, from forget me not to purple, attracted the admiration of ♦•very one. A visit to the Kiosk, where Mr. and Mrs. Brett entertained their guests with afternoon tea. brought a delightful afternoon to a elose.