FRESH-AIR HOME FOR CHILDREN

BEQUEST OF MR E. B. - MILLTON TWO LARGE PROPERTIES The “Ford Millton Memorial Home for Children” will be established in North Canterbury as a result of a bequest to the Sunlight League of New Zealand by Mr Edward Bowler Millton, a well-known sheepfarmer, of Birch Hill Station, near Rangiora. Under his will, probate for which has just been granted, the Birch Hill Station, of 2020 acres, and Mr Millton’s Okuku country property of 10,126 acres with all buildings and stock, will, on the death of Mrs Millton, pass to the league to be used as directed. The will states that being conscious that the pioneers of Canterbury are passing and the homesteads they established are becoming merged in the uniformity of close settlement, and in appreciation of the enterprise, fortitude, and endurance of the pioneers, Mr and Mrs Millton wish to dedicate to their memory one of New Zealand’s original sheep stations. This was founded in 1851 by Mr William Newton Millton, “who, after a life of seafaring in both hemispheres, chose Aotearoa as his abiding place, Canterbury as his province, and the frontage of the Mairaki forest as his home.” Mr Millton pays tribute to his father for “the happiness of a lifetime and an inheritance of a life work in alpine air,” and to his wife's father, Mr John T. Ford, for help and guidance. It is directed that provision shall be made for the open-air and sunshine treatment of children for whom such a course is considered to be beneficial and for their education and training in a way conducive to the acceptance of a simple country life, and industry as the happiest means of livelihood. This provision is made remembering how Mabel Wynn Ford (a niece of Mrs Millton) might have been spared had she had the benefits of an environment in the open air. Children between the ages of six and 12 years will be admitted to the home, and they will be encouraged to take up employment conducive to their physical improvement and to build mental and moral character. A private burial ground Is to be established at Birch Hill for blood relations of the Millton and Ford families and for permanent employees on the station/