STATE HOUSES.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 158, 5 June 1937, Page 5

STATE HOUSES.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —Some time ago you were kind enough to publish a letter written b\ me re State houses. I stated in tha letter that workers were in a bette* position to pay five or ten shillings per week more rent now than two years ago. 1 was take nto task by “Square Deal,” but I still hold the same opinion. Furthermore, I wit endeavour to show “Square Deal’' how he can save not two pounds ten shillings per week but four pounds per week, his weekly earnings. Now I understand these State sections are large, each house being on one-sixth of an acre, good soil, never turned by the hands of man. If “Square Deal” should lie fortunate enough in securing one of these houses, one thing will be necessary—a nice clean spade or; shovel to dig his section, remembering the adage: “Plough deep while sluggards sleep, and you will have corn to sell and corn "to keep.” Go along to a reputable nurseryman and get the following: About four dozen apple trees, the same number of gooseberries, blackcurrants, pears and peaches, and plant not later than the end of July. A few passion fruit vines ,planted around the boundary fences would serve as shelter. The remainder ol the section could he held over for the main crop of potatoes. There could also he a few fowls kept, and seeing that it is Government property there would he no objection to keeping a pig. In the event of “Square Deal’s” neighbour being averse to disturbing Mother Earth, perhaps he could be persuaded to run a cow or two: in that case vegetables and fruit could ho | exchanged for milk and cream. I have quoted pretty well the mainstay of the home, and with the surplus that “Square Deal” would have to sell, the return would more than pay his rent. —I am, etc., SATISFIED.