ROTORUA.

New Zealand Graphic, Volume XLVII, Issue 5, 31 January 1912, Page 68

ROTORUA.

January 27. Our sweet pea, rose, aud carnation show has now become an annual affair, and this year again it was most successful. The Parish Hall proved almost too small, so that next year we may have to launch out into larger premises. Archdeacon Tisdall, who is the promoter of all our flower shows, opened the function. His exhibit of 41 varieties of sweet peas was beautiful. They were not for competition, of course. Mr. P. J. Hpmmond had a lovely collection of 57 varieties, and of fifteen varieties of roses. Considering the lateness of the show, it is a wonder there were any roses at all. Mr. F. Hall, head gardener of ‘the Government gardens, had a glorious collection of cut flowers artistically arranged’ upon the stage for exhibition only. Amongst the first prize-winners were: —Sweet peas, Mrs. T. Walker, Mrs Woollams, Mrs. Batten; carnations, Mr. P. J. Hammond, Mrs. T. Walker; roses, Mr. Hammond, Mrs. Walker; cut flowers, Mr. Hammond and ’Miss Gardner; best decorated table, Mrs. Nicoll; best bouquet for children under 10, Emily Lowrie. A delicious afternoon tea was provided. Dr. Crooke played one or two solos, and Mrs. Snodgrass and Miss Burnside (Auckland) played two duets. In the evening there was music too, the vocal soloists being Hiss Malfroy, Miss Stella Empson, Messrs. Fannin, Chilton, and Butt. Instrumental items were given by Mrs. Snodgrass and Miss Burnside, and two little girls, Dosie Halkett and Ethel Walker. Personal. Sir Joseph Ward and Lady’ Ward and family motored through from Wairakei to Rotorua on Thursday, returning to Taupo on Friday. Mrs. and Miss Paton, of Auckland 1 , are here.

Mr., Mrs., and Miss Wylie, of Gisborne, are visiting Rotorua. Amongst Wellington visitors here are Messrs. Kenny (2) and Mr. Isaacs. Archdeacon Tisdall has gone to Auckland for a few days. Miss Alurrish, of Auckland, is visiting Mrs. Malfroy. Mrs W. R. Blow and Mrs C. E. Kusabs motored to Tauranga for a few days last week. Amongst Rotorua people who went to Tauranga to ‘’The Mount” for the holidays are Mr. and Mrs. Bent, Mr. and Mrs. Lyons, ‘Mr. and Mrs. Urquhart, Mr. and Mrs. Grove, and Mr. and Mrs Knight. Mr. F. Lyons, who has been conductor of the now quite famous Maori Mission choir, and who brought it up to a high pitch of excellence, has retired from the position. The concerts given during the last two or three seasons in Rotorua under his direction have been quite a feature of Rotorua entertainment, and they will be continued under new leadership. RATA.