The Scheme of Things

Evening Post, Volume CXVI, Issue 145, 16 December 1933, Page 19

The Scheme of Things

By M.H.C. „

: Among the many pleasant and beautiful things to bo noticed in England "are the neatness and tidiness of the . whole country practically, there being Jvery few untidy spots. It is stated the National Council of Women ■,-Jias, for some time now, interested its many members and branches in helping forward all schemes of decoration and improvement. > Special efforts are being "made, in Wales, at a placo called Ponkey Bank, for instance, whore a . bare hillside, mostly occupied by coal"tips, has been secured and is being conaverted into a public park with grounds for games, ilower gardens, and special •■provision for the children, such as sand- ,. ..pits, swinge, and swimming pools. .'.Liverpool is another centre whore ef■.forts are being made for improvements, and a gift of ten acres of land close "to the city has been received where ''another park is planned. Many smaller gardens and "corners" have been planned and carried out, while a still Bmalier but important effort is towards the brighter colouring of houses, and drab walls are at a discount in many directions, owing to lectures and "pictures of "what might be" against "what is." Perhaps, with such a good example in the Old Country, Now Zealand women will take an interest in a matter whicfi is well within their province, and put forward suggestions (and follow them up with energy) for the beautifying of such places as the Hutt Eoad, which, \iseful as it is, cannot, bo called beautiful, and, as it leads directly out of the city, must strike visitors who are used to more neatness and beauty as being rather a sordidly uninteresting drive.., Tree-plant-ing is needed terribly in this part, and v a little gardening at turns and corners would make a wonderful transformation. It seems rather a pity that so few of the delightful yellow kowhai trees aro used in the planting about Wellington. There a-re several in a plantation at Kelburn, which are real "things of beauty", at all times, the foliage being so charming when there are none of the beautiful yellow blossoms, but there are lamentably few in other parts.

The National Council, News gives other pleasing'items, of interest. One specially encouraging is in connection with the efforts of working people tohelp themselves. They prepare and equip house for club use, and the openair nurseries for their children are "chared and laundered", by the wives "and- mothers. There is one group in the north which has secured and repaired tan old ship's boat; sailing it in turns in groups of nine,' they are ablo to supply their families with fresh fish. These things are Very pleasant to hoar land to write about, because so many \ rery kindly efforts are being inado to help people nowadays, and at .times it, comes before social workers .that there is a great deal 8f faultfinding with what is done, whilo.it is not often that any news comes forward proving that people show an in•clependenfi spirit and take means to help themselves. Tho good old British spirit .needs a'little stir up now and then! ''There are .undoubtedly many 'things done iff-the'Kindergartcn world .t>y nnrents and friends, but there is a work] of work outside that would be equally well worth a "help on" t>y some of those who are not fully occu-' Jied.

'■. Some of the most extraordinarily told.houses are utilised in Great Brit-

am. One, which is rather outstanding, is in Windsor, and is called "The Cock-pit." It dates back about 500 years at least, and was evidently a cock-pit at one time, the floor being paved specially and arranged for combats, as well as places for onlookers. It is easy to'imagine, in such surroundings, the crowds of Early Georgian men, with their smart coloured satin coats and knee breeches, cocked hats and snuff-boxes, exchanging bets on the unfortunate fowls which were to fight. However, nowadays, a delightful rock garden takes the place of the yard for the cockfighting folk, and the same old trees shade tho place., Within doors, most New Zealand people would have considered the place as "perfectly hopeless," but tho people who have taken over the place have made use of all the funny little rooms, with their oaken doors and latticed windows, as tea and luncheon rooms. " They are kept intact, with the wide fireplaces, containing brass "dogs," and Gipsy kettles, the high mantelpieces being adorned with period china, and pictures to match are around the walls. All these things can be obtained very cheaply, if people know where to look for them, and wait patiently till they have sufficient to decorate rooms adequately. The "Cock-pit" is a very favourite place for Eton people, specially the collegers, to meet, and the rooms are filled with interesting parties of young men with their belltoppers set at the right angle at the back of their heads, and the long coat and striped trousers which are "correct" for both young and older people. The people who took and renovated the "Cock-pit" were not those who had means at their disposal, and the energy and commonsense of their efforts have been well rewarded. ■ '

It is impossible not to admire the energy and resourcefulness of womenkind in these and other efforts, and it was interesting to note an article recently .written concerning "the power of women." Tho writer was of opinion that women generally were making for power, and doing it a good deal through efficiency in all they undertook seriously. At the same time there was a note of apprehension—what were men going to do if women came forward in all the walks of life with this quality of efficiency, industry, and application to their jobs, whatever they might be? The reply seems quite obvious—for men to equip themselves with an equal efficiency, and not be beaten 'on their o,wn ground. They will be the more safe if they do this as such a large proportion of women take to household lives, children, and tho many items that centre in the homes. Their love of dress, arid the many varieties of interest which this love brings to them adds to the safety of the other sex, also the fact that so many women grudge prosperity to other women if it is earned by. themselves and show a, lamentable lack of loyalty to their sex in a number of ways. If women really combined for tho benefit of their own kind, there would bo many things mended in this world, which would bo greatly to the advantage of humanity, and tend towards tho saving ,of immense sums of money. However, this may all come about in time, as there are hopeful signs in many directions, and it will be a wonderful world when all pull in the same direction for the benefit of those who need moral and .physical help. ' .