COMMUNITY GARDENS

Rotorua Morning Post, Volume 1, Issue 104, 23 December 1931, Page 4

COMMUNITY GARDENS

VALUABLE WORK IN ROTORUA ASSISTANCE FOR FAMILIES A number of unemployed men under the able supervision of Mr. A. G. Thompson, have done splendid work at the Rotorua community gardens in growing vegetables for the benefit of relief workers, and others feeling the stress of these difiicult times. Two areas of ground were made available by the Borough Council, and from the smaller of these plots, ( situated at the hack of Brent's Bathgate House, near the borough pound, vegetables are heing distributed at the borough depot. Here vegetables will be procurable to-morrow morning between 10 o'clock and 12 o'clock, when the Christmas quota will be distributed. Those who avail themselves of the issue are requested to bring their own baskets. About eight acres of potatoes have been planted, the larger area being near the cemetery, and at a low estimate, a yield of approximately 60 tons is expected, which will help tremendously to solve next wintqr's food supply problem. In addition there are two acres of swedes, and three thou- ! sand • cahbages in various stages of I development, hesides beans, peas, on-

ions, beetroot, pumpkins, marrows, carrots and tom'atoes, which are all nearing maturity. Last Saturday's distribution comprised 200 lettuce, four dozen cahbages, and quantities of turnips. To lceep. the supply continuous, donations of seed, plants and fertilisers will be most acceptable, and even further plots of land could be utilised. This work is proof that there are men in Rotorua willing to do their share to make the administration of relief as economical as possible. The Women's Club, which in conjunction with the Central Relief Committee is responsible for the family side of relief administration, is particularly appreciative of the development of the garden scheme. The club's policy has always been to avoid as far as possible collecting from the town, and an ample supply of vegetables will reduce the club's benevolent expenses as well as supply a. wholesome diet for needy families. It has been suggested that at this season of the year, anglers could, through the relief organisation, find a use for their surplus fish, and tl.at a drive1 to accumulate wood for next winter which could be carried out in the relief workers' s'pare timo, would be a wise precaution. Credit is due to the men who are doing the work in the gardens with such enthusiasm and who are co- operating to make the distribution of the vegetables as easy as poss'ble.