The Jubilee Horticultural Show was opened at the Choral Hall, and it was in every respect the most distinctive and best display of the kind ever held since the foundation of the colony, and it was carried out to a most perfect success by the following officers:—Judges: Messrs. J. C. Blackmore, T. Bullen, J. Mayo, and E. Turner. Superintendent of Stewards and Staging: Dr. C. W. Sanders. Chairman of Horticultural Committee: Mr. A. E. Dewes. Committee: Messrs. E. R. Atkin, F. Bennett, T. F. Cheeseman, W. Goldie, D. A. Hay, C. Hesketh, W. McIndoe, C. S. Macdonald, J. Pain, W. J. Palmer, C. W. Sanders, and Thos. Steadman. There were many distinctive features, too many, indeed, to notice specially, but the most prominent feature was the artistic staging of the exhibits. The hall itself was beautifully decorated with fern fronds and nikau palms, and the pot plants and shrubs were arranged with artistic ability. The centre hall was of course the great attraction, but the wings were also filled with exhibits of great merit. The south wing was mainly occupied by bouquets, fruit, pot plants, etc, and the north wing with vegetables and various exhibits of local industry. A central position in the main hall was occupied by a fountain in full play, and in the basin Mr. Goldie, of the Auckland Domain, had placed about 60 well-grown carp and gold fish, which by their lively movements and varied hues in the sparkling water excited a great amount of interest. At the stage end there was a striking scene, an illumination displaying a war canoe and a full ringed ship on a thoroughly characteristic new Zealand coast. On the other end, over the main entrance, was the motto "Jubilee" in raised flowered letters.

The main feature of the show was the pot plants, and nothing could excel the beauty and variety of this display, amongst the finest being several sent for exhibition only, and not for competition. Mrs. Boyd, of Newton, who was a large exhibitor, had a magnificent display of flowering begonias in full foliage and flowers, many of which were of her own hybridising. Mrs. W. S. Wilson exhibited four fine fuchsia trees in pots. They were healthy, vigorous shrubs, in full flower, and were worthy to represent the climate and its capabilities. The displays by Hay and Son, Neal and Co., Mr. Forrest (gardener to Mr. Murdoch), and others, were splendid, and one gentleman who did not allow his name to transpire sent a fine collection of forty large pot plants full of rich variety, and these were distributed so as to fill in the vacancies between the various stands and groups, and greatly enhance the richness of the scene. Mr. Forrest had a fine show of 40 varieties, not for competition. The cut flowers were very good, considering the unfavourable season. An exhibit of table and ornamental decorations by Mrs. E. Turner, of Karangahape Road, which were not for competition, formed a very attractive spectacle, and the bouquets were elegant and well grouped, the bouquets made up by children in the hall being very attractive indeed. Mr. Exler's display of pottery was also a fine feature, and the manufacture was equal in finish to any ever imported to New Zealand. They were finished in Rockingham and yellow glaze, and took the form of baskets, rustics, stave flower pots, etc., and in the large vases were some fine pot plants which showed them off to advantage. Messrs. Carder Brothers had also a fine exhibit of pottery. Fruit was splendidly represented in apples, pears oranges, lemons, peaches, grapes, etc. Mr. Crispe, of Mauku, exhibited some splendid lemons. Mr. John Abbott, of Waikomiti, had a fine show of luscious peaches, and Mr. J. Sharp, of Cambridge, made a good display of plums Mr. R. Hobbs had a really grand display of apples, pears, plums, and peaches in varieties, and Mr. E. B. Houlton, amongst his other exhibits, had a peculiar rock melon named the banana, which in shape and appearance except as to colour resembles a cucumber. Vegetables were not largely placed as to quantity, but the quality was splendid, potatoes, cabbages, carrots, parsnips, etc., being of the finest quality and growth. A very striking feature was the display made by the school children of the East Tamaki School, to whom a space was allotted in the north wing. It consisted of fruit, vegetables, pickles, etc., the boys at the school being taught to grow and the girls to preserve the fruits and vegetables. There was also a display of carpentry and joinery work by the boys, whose age range from 12 to 14 years of age, which would do credit to a carpenter and joiner; and another feature was a sample of boot-mending and saddlery. Another exhibit was hives bees at work, and also samples of knots and splices, the work of the boys. A collection of oranges, grown on the Pah farm, also attracted attention; and a model farm, exhibited by Mr. Hamilton, was a fine piece of work. Altogether, the show was a splendid one. The following are the awards;—