SIXTY HAPPY BOYS

Dominion, Volume 26, Issue 99, 20 January 1933, Page 8

SIXTY HAPPY BOYS

Useful Instruction at Penrose Farm

VISIT PAID BY M.P.

TTich appreciation of the training being given to 60 Wellington b°ys under the supervision of the I.M.C.A. at the Penrose Farm, near Masterton, was expressed yesterday by Mr, A. E. Ansell, M.P., on his return from an official visit to inspect the work being carried out. With Mr. b. G- Smith, M P he recently investigated ana reported to the Government upon the problem of juvenile unemployment throughout New Zealand, the necessity of furthering farm training being emphasised in their findings. Mr. Ansell said the boys seemed to be* perfectly happy at the farm, and inquiries proved that they were entei ing into their work in a business-like manner. The camp was being assisted generously by local residents and nearby farmers, the latter providing all the meat needed as well :.s assisting the boys in their training? As an instance of the help being given. Mr. Ansell said that when one business man in Masterton heard that sleeping bunks were required, he offered to provide the timber for them. His staff offered to build them, and a carrier associated with the firm took the completed hunks to the camp free of charge. Practical Assistance.

“The training of these boys is being undertaken by practical men who are assisted by field officers of the Departmetn of Agriculture,” said Mr. Ansell. “The boys are divided into various groups which undertake different classes of work each day. The boys are being taught milking, both by hand and machine, fencing, ploughing and various other activities associated with farming, including the handling of horses. I visited several of the adjacent farms where these boys are being sent to do practical work, and in every instance I found that they are giving complete satisfaction to the farmers.

"It is gratifying to know, although these boys were taken from the city without any knowledge of the country life, that they have taken very kindly to their work, and that they are proving efficient farm helpers after a very short space of time. In some instances, the boys at present on the farm hesitated before going there, deciding they were not prepared to take up agricultural work. In almost every case, however, after having been engaged in farm work, the boys have expressed their intention of adopting farming as their life occupation. Work of YMCA.

' “The work being done by the Y.M.C.A. in training these boys is most valuable and what is also very important, • when these boys have reached a certain standard of efficiency they are assured of positions on farms, so that in the near future the whole of the boys who have .entered into the work will be on farms nearby. A register of the boys is being kept ns well as a record of the standard of efficiency being shown in the various farming operations. In almost every instance the standard is most satisfactory. “Those who have assisted financially to enablethe Y.M.C.A. to carry out this work can lie assured that they are getting more than value for their money, as the .training .of these boys cannot be judged in terms of money. I personally hope that further efforts along the same lines will be undertaken.”

Air. Ansell said tlie boys were being very well cared for. botli in regard to accommodation and food. Tlie work of Mr. L. Greenberg, of tbe A'.M.l’.A., was worthy of special mention. Tlie menu for the mid-day meal while he was there indicated how well off the youths were. They were given roast or boiled mutton, potatoes, cabbage, marrow, stewed fruit, rice and custard.