1873.] NOTES FROM NEW ZEALAND. 383 



The long tables in tlie middle of the hall, on which pot plants were shown, 

 were a splendid blaze of colours, Pelargoniums, Fuchsias, Cacti, and other 

 blooms being conspicuous. The principal attraction of the exhibition was the 

 table bouquets, placed for competition by ladies only, for a silver medal given 

 by the Society ; and next to these was certainly the wonderful collection of 

 artificial flowers, exhibited by Mrs Simons, floral artist, of Great King Street. 

 Her collection of flowers in wax, paper, and wool, attracted general admiration. 

 They were in great variety, and of the most exquisite workmanship, rivalling 

 Nature herself. There were some fine attractive bouquets, and some showy 

 table ornaments in the ladies' department. A special prize was awarded to Mrs 

 James Smith for an attractive table ornament. 



Commencing with the gardeners' department, in which there were three col- 

 lections of greenhouse plants, the first prize was taken by Mr Clement with 

 a fine Heath (Erica Ventricosa Bothwelliana), a Kyncospermum jesaminoides, a 

 Statice Hollfordii, and a Cactus grandiflora. In ornamental foliage, Mr West, 

 Mr Allan's propagator, came in first with a splendid specimen of Begonia 

 grandis, the finest we have seen, measuring four feet through, and carrying 

 large and beautiful leaves ; a Bambnsa fortuuii variegata, Dracaena terminalis, 

 and Maranta zebrina. Mr Martin was second with well-grown plants of Dra- 

 caena guilfoila. Begonia Baronne d'Asternoff, and Sedum azoiodum variegatum. 

 The Pelargoniums, which are always a showy and attractive feature in an ex- 

 hibition, were well represented. Mr West took the first prize. In fancies, 

 and plain, and zonal, Mr Clement stood first. In tricolor, zonal, and silver- 

 variegated, there were only two exhibits. Mr W, Martin gained a first prize 

 for Ferns, with very fine specimens. A specimen of Mitraria coccinea was 

 shown by Mr G. Matthews, and a very fine collection of pot -conif eras. 



The amateurs were scarely equal to the gardeners in any department, except 

 perhaps in that of cut flowers. Some of their plants were badly grown, and 

 not fit for exhibition. The most conspicuous plants in their greenhouse col- 

 lection were a fine Heath and a Climbing-plant (Abutilon) by Mr Dobbie, 

 Mitraria coccinea, a rare stone plant by Mr Shnrry, and an Orange-tree in 

 bearing by Mr Crawford. 



Of cut flowers, herbaceous plants, and bulbs, there was a fc\ir display. Mr 

 Sonntag was beyond all competitors, professional and amateur, in Poses, of 

 which he had a splendid assortment, taking first prizes for twelve and eighteen 

 varieties. He had also a large lot on exhibition, and some of them were greatly 

 admired. He also took a first prize for a rose bouquet. Mr Shurry excelled in 

 Carnations, Picotees, and Verbenas. There were many very pretty bouquets. 

 Those of ilessrs West, Milne, and Crawshaw, which were considered best, were 

 carried ofi" by Lady Bowen and her two daughters. Among the bouquets were 

 three by Mr West, one of them a bride's, which were deservedly admired. Two 

 of the best plants in the room, an Erica Cavendishii, and an Abutilon, were 

 shown by Mr Dobbie for the second time, being still in full bloom. 



Of the fruits the finest were the Strawberries. There were few vegetables, 

 but those that were shown were very good, especially the Cauliflowers, Cucum- 

 bers, and Cabbages. 



It is gratifying to find the Governor, his Excellency Sir George Bowen, on 

 the Saturday previous to the above exhibition, bearing the following testimony 

 to the rajiid and prosperous advancement of the province of Otago and its capi- 

 tal, Dunedin. In reply to an address from the Mayor of that city, he said : " A 

 quarter of a century has not elapsed since the 23d of March 1848, when the 

 little band of Scotch immigrants first landed on the site of what is now a popu- 



