STATE GARDENS

New Zealand Herald, Volume 81, Issue 24869, 15 April 1944, Page 9

STATE GARDENS

AUCKLAND PROJECTS PROVISION OF LABOUR The success of the Government vegetable gardens in the Auckland Province during the summer season was referred to yesterday by Mr. H. A. Pirrit, the officer of the Department of Agriculture in charge of the supply of labour to the projects. .Mr. Pirrit said that seasonal work in the gardens was now finished and the winter programme, consisting mainly of the planting of crops and soil preparation, was well in hand. Mr. Pirrit said that in the Auckland sector, covering the Papatoetoe, Patuniahoe and Mangere gardens, the male labour position had been met, but about 4P female workers were required to complete the permanent winter staff. With the university students, training college girls and married women, all of whom did splendid work, there had been about 300 casual workers in the gardens during the summer. This was in addition to the schoolchildren and the drafts of New Zealand troops who were employed there in lieu of Territorial training. Considerable assistance was also received from American troops. "Those workers did a great deal to relieve the shortage of labour and their assistance was a material factor in the success that has been achieved," said Mr. Pirrit. "Just before the actual start of the season the serious labour shortage seemed to threaten the projects a«d the possibility of securing the labour required appeared so remote that it was thought that many acres of crops would have to be ploughed into the soil. Had it not been for the efforts of the manpower authorities and the willing assistance received from other quarters, that undoubtedly would have happened. "Over 90 per cent of the labour engaged during the season was totally inexperienced in vegetable ojardon work, hut the employees quickly adapted themselves, and the way they have applied their knowledge makes the future of the scheme bright." said Mr. Pirrit 'The pioneering stage of the projects is over: and from now on operations will be much easier, as the soil, which was broken in from farm land, is in a good workable condition."

ARMY CASUALTIES SERGEANT AND CORPORAL Reported killed in action, Corporal Jack Lewis, aged 36, was the husband of Mrs. E. M. Lewis, of 62 Franklin Road, Ponsonbv. Corporal Lewis resigned a Territorial Force commission to serve with the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force. He was educated at the Normal School, and Auckland Grammar School. He was a keen Rugby football player and represented the Grammar Old Boys' Club.

Sergeant George A. Barker, aged _28, wiiii has died of sickness in the Welling: on Hospital while on furlough from tiie Second N.Z.E.F.. was the fourth soil of Mr and Mrs E. Barker, of Matnaku. Sergeant Barker left New Zealand with the Second Echelon and served with a field regiment of artillery. Two brothers are prisoners of war and a third brother is on active service overseas. Sergeant Barker was educated at the Mamaku School. As a Rugby footballer he represented Rotorua. ' He, was also a member of the Rotorua Hunt Club.

MAORI GIRLS IN CITY FURTHER HOSTEL READY The hostel for Maori girls which has been established in the former St. James' manse at 29 Hepburn Street, off Ponsonby Road, will be officially opened by the Mayoress, Mrs. J. A. C. A Hum, this afternoon. The property was acquired by the Government last Tear, and renovations and alterations Itave only lately been completed, enabling the house to accommodate about 20 girls. The establishment will be conducted by the United Maori Mission, which some time ago opened a smallei hostel in Union Street, Freeman s Bay. Another hostel for about -0 Maori girls was opened in December in Cleveland Road.. Parnell, by the Women s Christian Temperance Union. Ihe Citj Council has assisted this and the Hepburn Street hostel bv grants of £loU to each for furnishing. INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS The annual meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Institute of International Affairs was held at the University last night. Officers were elected as follows: I resident. Mr. P. Martin Smith: committee, Professor H. Bel Shaw. Professor J. Rutherford. Messrs. W. T. Ct. Airey, S. Leathern. L. . Holt, (r Scott-Hamilton and Pr A. M. tmdlay; honorary secretary-treasurer, Mr. J. K. baruci,; auditor, Mr. J. A. Davidson. II was announced that the programme for the year would include the study of international air transport, international aspects of New Zealand post-war reconstruction and the politico-legal aspects of commonwealth.