A PLEA FOR A GARDEN

Press, Volume L, Issue 14993, 13 June 1914, Page 12

A PLEA FOR A GARDEN

TO THE EDITOR OF "TH! PRESS." Sir,-—Those of us who, in the past have rejoiced to hear the name "Garden City" applied to our City of Christchurch must watch with deepest regret the slow but sure change that is being worked in our midst by this most illadvised rate. Was over a more unwise and harmful scheme adopted? We offer prizes in our schools for the encouragement of gardening, and both headmasters and teachers throw themselves with keenness into tho task of cultivating this most healthful aud pleasure-giving hobby, with most happy res'ilte. Yet we deliberately deprive these very children of any opportunity of patting into practice the knowledge thus gained, by rating gardens out of existence. For example, having been absent from New Zealand for a year or two, I lately went to look up a friend who bad rejoiced in a moderate lawn and a few flower-beds in front of his house, ana after what seemed to be proving a fi_tless'searoh, I discovered that two tiny cottages had been built in his little garden, and his house (approached by a narrow footpath between the cottages) overlooked their back yards. This plan of reducing rates has been pursued throughout Ohristchurch. We enter with enthusiasm into the plan of an Open-air Home for Children (all honour to the army of collectors now teginuing thiir campaign), but for years we have largely helped to make and keep these children delicate, by putting it out of the power of their parents to afford _em even a small patch of garden in which to benefit by the sunshine and fresh air, so all important to the -yoang. We. have not even the same excuse .as 1 Wellington, shut in as it is by circling, hills, and we are.lar more in need of the beauty of cultivation, for of natural beauty our pretty little river is our only asset, and we cannot all live on its banks, while Wellington has its harbour, and a succession o: beautiful views can be obtained from the ploping hill-sides of the town Is the gain in£ s d not outbalanced by the great loss to our town and people in other directions?— Yours etc., ' OPEN-AIR.