A NEW INDUSTRY SUGGESTED

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21745, 30 March 1936, Page 3

A NEW INDUSTRY SUGGESTED

ASPARAGUS CANNING

“Asparagus grows in Christchurch almost like a weed, and in England today it is still a luxury; the supply is never equal to the demand, and asparagus in never cheap in London. Sureiy here is an opportunity to start a new industry," said Mrs A. Bradley, a much travelled woman, who spent last week in Christchurch. In each suburb that she had visited she found that asparagus grew easily and this led her to the conclusion that if small waste sections of land were turned into asparagus beds, a thriving industry could be started and employment provided for many persons. To add weight to her opinion Mrs Bradley said tt?t seven years ago, a relative of hers, alter visiting New Zealand, returned to his home in Bathurst, Australia, and decided to plant 500 acres of land with asparagus. In three years, it matured. By that time he had built

a cannery and now he employs 400 hands, and distributes tinned asparagus to all parts of Australia. The district round the cannery is devoted to asparagus growing, and during the season, the supplies are collected each morning and taken to the factory, just as cream is collected for the factory in dairying districts. ' Mrs Bradley recalled that When visting California recently, she had risen early to see the departure, at 8 a.m., of the asparagus freight trains, leaving San Francisco for New York, laden

entirely with fresh asparagus, which, crossing the Atlantic in cold storage, would be on the London market 12 days after it was cut in Sacramento. There she said, the beds were generally, only three feet wide, and, in the off-season, flowers for market were grown between the beds. It was not unusual for a grower to make £IOOO a year from a quarter-acre section. “Of course,” Mrs Bradley said, “the beds would take three years to mature, but apple and lemon trees take five years to reach a profitable stage. Once the asparagus beds begin to yield they need little attention, except weeding and manuring, for the next 15 years.”

A point worth considering was that the New Zealand product could be sold in London in December and January, when the Californian supply of fresh asparagus had ceased. The Malay States, too, she said, were eager buyers whose demands could be met during the American off-season.

Mrs Bradley, who is a resident of Auckland, has visited all parts of the Empire, and has travelled widely in the East and in America, but nowhere, she says, did she taste such delicious butter, cream, and eggs as she did in Christchurch. “And the cakes!” she exclaimed, "they are too tempting. Christchurch women certainly have wonderful materials with which to cook, but they do know how to use them.”

Sybil Thomdyke’s return to the Gaumont-British Studios for the historical romance, “Lady Jane Grey” is a compliment to the British screen. That such a fine actress as Sybil Thorndyke should come back to grace an important British film with her flawless dramatic art is still more proof of her and other stage stars’ confidence in British studios.

YOUNGER ROYALTY

Simple tailored styles in soft shades of grey have been chosen for spring wear In the Royal nurseries and school rooms. Both Princess Elizabeth and Princess Margaret have little coats of grey flannel, and Lady Mary Cambridge, who is some years older, has a grey double-breasted coat on military lines, with three frogs braided across the front. Lady Mary is launching a new beret It is also

in grey and is fastened down on one side with a band so that it cannot be pulled out of shape. Mauve and white linens will be worn this summer by the little Princesses, whose lead will be followed by many mothers, some ot whom are choosing mauve linen in Tyrolean

styles with white bodices. Other juvenile summer frocks are in mauve linen embroidered with white spots and scalloped in white. White linen for the schoolroom is a revival. Frocks will be made with buttons all down one side of the skirt

Have you anything to sell?—Do you wish to buy? If so, a small advertisement in the classified section of ‘‘The Press” will be all you need. 12 words Is, three insertions 2s fid. -6

CARD PARTIES

■ . . )' A 4,£ v -V ; ' ' ,v; t ■ 1 Mesdames A. H: Ragg and Barnett entertained members of the New Brighton Croquet . Club and their friends at a bridge party held in the club’s pavilion, Rawbiti Domain, this week. The prize-winners , were Mesdames G. March, W. Cooke, and S.

Langley. The social committee of the New Brighton Bowling Club held a whist party in the pavilion to augment the funds of the club. The successful players were Mesdames Ralph Stringer and R. Bach.

A successful “flag 500” party arranged by a committee of ladies to raise funds for the New Brighton Convent School, was held in the schoolroom, Lonsdale street Prizes were won by MessrS R. Gray, W. Gibson, and D. Evans. The New Brighton District High School Committee held its usual weekly euchre tournament in the school. The highest scores were made by Mesdames G. Cattermole and R. Hamja, Messrs W. Ives and A. Bernstein.

Mrs H. Stephens (Page’s road) entertained members of the Brighton Joy Club at an evening social held at her home. Euchre was played, the winner being Mrs A. J. Beauchamp, and a competition was won by Mrs F. Green.

There was a large attendance at a “flag 500” party organised by members of the South Brighton Croquet Club, and held in the club's pavilion this week. Prizes were awarded to Mrs E. J. Cooksley and Mr H. Skipworth.

WOMEN’S : UNION " \ ■ •--- -v-s> ty;

:in the absence of Mis&nC. Henderson. who is attending the annual temperance Dominion convention at Auckland. Mrs J. Richards' Presided at the usual forlnighUy ths Christchurch branch of the Womens Christian Temperance Union. . Members volunteered to help witn the Poppy Day street collection. . Interesting reports w?re given by the delegates, Misses Blackwell and Bishop, of the recent professional and business women’s club meeting, when the subject, “The WiU to Peace,” was discussed. More members took peace mandate petition papers to gain signatures* the time for which has been extended until June. Mrs Richards gave an interesting report of the recent annual meeting of the, Christchurch branch of the, National Council of Women. - *■■■ It was decided that the next meeting .should be a social gathering to welcome back from convention Miss Henderson and Mrs Adkins.

PAPANUI BRANCH MEETS The Papanui branch of the Women's Christian Temperance Union held its monthly meeting in. St. Giles’s Presbyterian. Bible class rooms. In the absence of the president, Mrs Graham, the chair was taken by Mrs F. J. Carr, who also conducted the devotions.

Arrangements. were made to conduct, the Band of Hope during winter, and it was decided to begin oil the first Friday in May. ; The next meeting will take the form of a social afternoon, when the delegate to the convention will give the report of the proceedings. ■ Two interesting readings were given by Mrs. Carr, and afternoon tea was served.

SOCIAL AT KAIAPOI

The .funds of the. Kaiapoi branch of the PlUnket Society were considerably augmented by a successtul bridge and “suo" party which was heid at the home of Mrs H. Mclntosh ("The Beach,” Kaiapoi). The arrangements for the. party were made by the president (Mrs Mclntosh), and the committee. Successful competitors in the card games were: Bridge. Mrs M. Greenwood and Miss M. *'amun; .••ooO," Mrs W ClarKe and Miss R. Mclntosh, Among those present were Mesdames E. J. Corcoran, b, Bristow. L. J. Parnham. S. J. Richards, L. Oram, W. C. Touteil, , c, Josien, a, Raker, J. Borrell, j. w, Barnard. B. Pearce. S. Clark, H. W. Chads. A. S. Palmer, J. G. Yeiiowiees, J. Johnston, S. G. P, Hicks,. T. Bane, A. Blakeley, W. Hart, J. D. McMullan, H. D. Todd, H. C.-Watson, W. ciarke, G. Power, E. Clothier, L.G.Billchtre. R. GUI, W. H, Gundy. H. J. Mclntosh. H. Mclntosh* J. C. Simpson, H. J. Hassall, R. W. Wylie, H. Heney, A. R. Butcher, R. ugilvie, L.-B; Evans. M. Greenwood. A. W. 1. Miller, D. G, Wuson. M. Ramsay, H. C. ReveU, K. J. Smith. E. Hunter. L. L. Wilson, G, Altken; H H BlackweU, L. c. B. Fuldseth, T. R Eeithead, G. Greenwood. J. Hirst, Misses A. Tourell. R. Mclntosh. I. Watson. Z. Lynskey, H. Childs, M. Thomas, E. Scott (Duneoln), and M. Fannin.

VISITORS TO CHRISTCHURCH

New City Hotel; Mr and Mrs Les Murray (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs A. Beardsell u) ;* Peggy Pantin (Sydney), Miss A...M. Sullivan (Auckland). Miss M. A. Ryland (Dunedin). Pe Ueral; Mr and Mrs A. J. Black (Tin} 3 ™). Mr and Mrs R. W. Lusk and child (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs James Richard (Auckland), Mr and 'Mrs Strang (Wanganui). Mr and Mrs. B. Henkiey(Oamaru). Mrs J. Anderson. (Invercargill), Mrs J. Delgllsh (Le Boo's Bay). Mrs Delatour, (Christchurch), Stonehurst Private Hotel: Mr D, T. WilUanw, Mr J. R Poulter (Wellington). Mr (Auckland),,Mr apd Mrs M. Marks (Nelson). , Hotel; Mr and Mrs B. M. Thwaites (Brisbane). Mr and MTs A. L. Garland (Sydney). Mr and Mrs Hunter (Wanganui). -

United Service Hotel; Mr ar.d Mrs H. B. Johnston (FeUding). Mrs E. H. Hodge (Dunedin), Mr and Mrs G. Baßdon (Auckland). Captain and Mrs W. S. Mason (Bournemouth, England). Warner’s Hotel: Mrs F. H. King, Miss £.' King (Dunedin),. Mr and-Mrs W. K. Cook (Lower Hutt), Miss Margery Sherwln (Melbourne), Colonel and' Mrs 'S'.' L 7 Roberts (New York).

SURPRISE PARTY

-v-A surprisepJMfef flSgftßji®** v 4 McKay and Mi& Ann Davis visitedlhe <. - home of : Mr and Mrs Pat-Loose. AuG&n street, to celebrate their birtoday&tA n$ pleasant evening waS' spent with ni|®c, games, competitions;; and dancing, -f Items Were'given.by Miss Ann Davis, - %, Mrs Pat LoOse,.MeSsrs bell,-Jack Darragh, V. Thomas, ,and T. Dunlop. . ' , Those present were' Mesdaihes Pftf r Loose,; Heath, McKay,, Loose; /.sen* Downing, Misses Mona Sutton, Ann

Davis, Eva Bundle, peggy Clark, Joan Sutton, Joan ;Rich, Kona Le Gros£ , Margaret RObinaoh, Dorothy Clark, . Messrs Pat Loose, .George Campbell* • Jack Darragh, Les Dale, George -• Mauger, Ken Carrington, Fred- Wilts, Tommy Clark, Tommy Payne, Paf O’Connor*, Dan O’Malley, Erh vßeaU’!. rhont, Charlie Winter, Les ,, Harold Mauser. , :