CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 83, Issue 47, 25 February 1939, Page 13

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE

Dear Boys and Girls, —• As most of you are already aware many special efforts are being begun in connection with the Centenary . Celebrations—just what is this centenary? A centenary refers to 100 years. If we count 25 years as a generation, those born in New Zealand from 1840 to 1865 were the first generation of New Zealand-born. Look at this table:—■ NEW ZEALAND BORN. 1840 to 1865 Ist Generation 1865 to 1890 —— 2nd Generation 1890 to 1915 3rd Generation 1915 to 1940 4th Generation I suppose all the boys and girls who read this page were born between 1915 and 1940 and are of the 4th generation. And so it is with pride and gratitude that we should look back to our grandfathers and grandmothers who have developed this wonderful country in less than 100 years. Just think what a lot we owe to them. Just think what happiness, joy and comfort is ours due to the many sacrifices they made. They have given us beautiful farms, splendid roads, railways, electricity and many other things for our comfort. So often we hear someone saying “Oh, isn’t so-and-so lucky?” Now please don’t joint that big crowd of people who are forever saying this. Try and be thankful for the many comforts that are right at your back door, comforts given you by your hard-worked grandfathers and grandmothers. Let us all be happy and gay, and open our eyes to the joy of living, the joy of the wonderful country which is ours —ours to protect and assist. And just how can we protect and assist? Well, all C.G.C. members enjoining the C.G.C. are expected to protect parks and gardens, protect and care for our wonderful native bush, protect our many beautiful birds, protect so that we can hand on to our children the glories and comforts which have been ours to enjoy. Let us all be good “New Zealanders” because we should all be mighty proud of the wonderful country which is ours. Let our centenary thoughts be ones of gratitude to those good people who made this New Zealand—our New Zealand. Your Friend, —— “CARNATIO.”

ASSOCIATE MEMBERS

We are happy to join with our movement the following:— Mr. J. Brass, 284 Victoria Avenue. Mr. Garland Jones, Harper Street. Mr. N. Jones, 21a Brassey Road. Hello Children.— I hope by now all you new members have received your daffodils, if not please apply to your district committee and they will see that every member is fixed up; get your garden ready and if you are in doubt write to Carnatio, he will tell you all about the planting and growing of them. Our demonstrations will be starting soon, so you must have flowers, and to have flowers you need to get busy with those gardens, also those sick friends of ours just love to receive flowers and boxes from the Children's Garden Circle; in fact, we do not need to wait for people to be sick. Mother would like a lovely box for her birthday.

I wonder how many of our members could get busy for us and see what a lot of members you can all get; that little pal of yours would like to join up with us, 1 am sure, also there are lots of adults who could be persuaded to help us by becoming associate members. Just see how many members you can rope in. Now I have some photos of that wonderful birthday party we had at Spriggens Park and. I can see such a lot of happy faces. If any of you would like one of these photos write in to me, sending two shillings, and I will see that you receive one. Once again, don't forget Carnatio and write him lots of letters; he loves getting them. Wishing you all good gardening, and lots of luck. —Cheerio for now, J. A. SHANKS, Hon. Secretary SENIORS. Don't forget our opening social will be held in McGruer's Hall on Saturday, March 4. An invitation is extended to senior members of all districts to attend.. WAITOTARA BRANCH A very pleasant afternoon was spent at the Waitotara School on Tuesday, when members of the demonstrative committee gave an instructive demonstration on floral work. Mrs. H. White explained to the children the making of a floral sheaf (without wiring) and arranging of flowers in vases. The children were afterwards shown how to make and plant wire baskets. The cultivation of daffodils was briefly explained, as was also the aims and objects of the C.G.C. The headmaster in returning thanks expressed his appreciation by inviting the committee to give further demonstrations during the year. This branch, under the leadership of Mr. Handley, ably assisted by Mrs. V. Verry and Miss Armstrong, should be a very enthusiastic one. Members should endeavour to get their friends to join the movement.

WESTMERE-BRUNSWICK BRANCH

A very enjoyable afternoon for C.G.C. members and their friends was spent last Saturday afternoon in Mrs. Brownlie’s garden wher 1 a demonstration of floating bowls wac given to members of the C.G.C. by Mrs. Shanks. The members afterwards entered for competition several beautiful bowls, the work being favourably commented on by all present. The afternoon was indeed a happy one for all. Uncle Wai came along with a big tin of lollies for the children and Mrs. Brownlie supplied afternoon tea to all present. Mr. Cox, organiser, in thanking Mrs. Brownlie, appealed to the adults to join the movement as associate members. Their appreciation of the movement was shown when 15 adults immediately joined as associate members.

Parents of members of the West-mere-Brunswick C.G.C. are particularly requested to attend the annual general meeting to be held at the residence of Mrs. Norrie, Westmere, on Tuesday, February 28, at 8 p.m. Business: Election of committee and discussion of programme for the ensuing year

AN EXHIBIT OF SOME MERIT

CHILDREN’S GARDEN CIRCLE. Twenty senior and eight junior members came from Wanganui and brought the most beautiful floral work done by the Children's Garden Circle. The well laid-out bay at the Royal Horticultural Show testified to the wonderful education the young people get from the garden lovers and flower fanciers. Mr. Cox is the organiser. The flowers grown by the circle are freely given to hospitals, churches or sick people in their Homes. The many "floral ladies" on exhibition are perfectly lovely and it took one young enthusiast live hours to do her pretty lady. The miniature rockery is a perfect piece of architectural design, and the planes and flowers stand out in bas-relief. The floral birthday cake was another feast tor the eyes; the floral muff of petals was just the thing for the bride who elected to be wed in "Blossom Time." The miniature chapel with its bordered walk of flowers and bride and bridegroom all made to measure made a picturesque poem. Next little piece of Lilliput, the popular song garden, "Way Down Upon the Swanee River,” complete with old folks, river, banjo and bees, all made from flowers, beautiful and bright. The dish rock garden is another work of art, the garden being a permanent design. The ship novelty garden is a well thought-out piece ol work, the ship representing a hulk with masts and yards and arms. This work of the Children's Garden Circle is done by children from eight years to sixteen years old. The floral posies in the saucers, all petal work, are beautifully done, the writer had seen none better. A floral lady of pansy petals, one of sweet peas, and easy a dozen others look like a picture ol a “coming-out party” of one hundred years ago. The presentation boxes ol flowers, posies, button-holes, baskets of flowers, floral designs, shoulder sprays, memorial wreaths under glass, all show a mastery of the art of bientiing colours, and artistic formation ot floral work, and to have transported the lovely work one hundred miles must have been another well thoughtout plan. Mr. Cox and helpers ce- ' serve great praise. The bay keeps an | admiring crowd busy all day picking - out new miracles of floral work, ana I some learning a little more about the useful possibilities of the increasing leisure moments, and how to healthily improve them. The bowls of flowers and vases of same are all beautifully arranged, so it is a real lesson to stand and look.—M. Goodrick.

THE BENEFITS I HAVE ENJOYED THROUGH THE CHILDREN'S GARDENING CIRCLE A PAPER BY GRACE NEILSON, NGUTUWERA Although I have not lived anywhere near the headquarters of the Gardening Circle I have received through the past as many benefits as those who live on the spot. The seeds 1 have received have always been packed with every care and attention. Before I enrolled my garden was a sorrowful sight but now, in my eyes, it shows a great improvement. Though I have but few flowers, as would be expected at this time of the year, my garden has not much room for lodging for other flowers. I find great pleasure in tending my garden, and in the summer I have great blooms of different coloured flowers. In other ways I have not the advantages of the town children, because they are able to go to the meetings and all the different things held in Wanganui by the Gardening Circle Committee.

The seeds which I have had sent to me have always been enclosed with the particulars as to how to plant them or I am told by "Carnatio” when he replies in the paper to my letter.

The bulbs which I received have made wonderful progress and soon I shall have many flowers to reward me for my cares. I shall now describe my garden. It is about 2ft. by 20ft. The earth has a dark rich colour and is manured frequently. A large drain runs at the foot of the garden and when it is in use it keeps the earth moist. At the back there is a wire-netting fence, which protects the larger plants from the stock. As the garden is on a slope it has sufficient drainage to keep the earth moist and that is all. Along the back there grow two

large white daisy bushes which are pruned annually. At one end I have the large flowers, such as dahlias and purple daisy, which has a tall spine off which grow numerous small stems on which small purple daisy flowers grow. Also at the back there grow a long line of bulbs which at present are in full bloom. Dotted here and there grow other small plants.

So you see the garden is made up mostly of the seeds I have received from the Gardening Circle's headquarters.