INTEREST OF ELLESMERE PEOPLE DESIRED.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume LIII, Issue 15, 23 February 1932, Page 5

INTEREST OF ELLESMERE PEOPLE DESIRED.

MR. CONNOLLY INTERVIEWED

To a representative of the Guardian who interviewed him yesterday, Mr Connolly said he was anxious that the interest and co-operation of local bodies, farmers and other residents of the Ellesmere district should be accorded the scheme in order to make it completely successful. He wished to make it clear that boys from this district would be eligible to go to Cheviot House for training and he hoped that applications on behalf of those boys desirous of availing themselves of the opportunity would be sent in without delay. It was probable that Mid-Canterbury would be asked to furnish a certain quota. It was not his intention that only city boys should be admitted. Indeed, he felt that it was very desirable to have a good proportion of country lads, on account of the fact that most of them already had some knowledge of farm activities and would be able to assist with the training of the city boys. His main object was to assist boys who were unable to obtain employment and who, after a period of six months' training, would be much better fitted to take positions on farms than if they had had no previous experience of farm life. Every effort would be made to secure positions for boy's on the completion of their term at Cheviot House. A somewhat similar scheme was in operation, he understood, at Penrose, in the North Island, but there, he had been given to understand, the period of training was only six weeks, which was not nearly long enough.

Parents, said Mr Connolly, could rest assured that their boys would be well cared for. Strict supervision and discipline would be maintained, and there were no temptations in the neighbourhood, the nearest hotel being about 30 miles away. All the leading denominations had churches at Cheviot, to which the boys could go. Care should be taken to see that all the lads admitted were of first- ! class character. Mr French, of Flock House, the very successful training institution for boys in the North Island, had kindly offered to give the benefit of his knowledge and experience to guide those who would be in charge of Cheviot House. The people of Cheviot, particularly the farmers of the district, were viewing the scheme with great favour, and he felt confident that anything they could do to assist would be done gladly. He hoped the farmers of other districts and people generally would manifest the same keen interest.

iMr Connolly mentioned that a preliminary meeting of local body representatives and other interests

would be held in Ashburton this afternoon to further the scheme. He hoped that the meeting would also consider the problem of the city boys who were not fitted for farm life and who, because they could not secure positions in the trades, constituted a problem that was causing a great deal of anxiety at the present time.

• "In case anyone should think that I have made this offer with the object of securing some personal gain," said Mr Connolly, "I would like to make it clear that none of the boys admitted to Cheviot House will be given employment on the Cheviot Hills estate, and that the Government will not have the opportunity of purchasing the estate. There need be no fear of any desire on my part to derive any gain either in the form of labour, or by using the scheme as a lever to induce the Government to purchase the estate. lam particularly anxious that boys from the various orphanages should be afforded an opportunity to receive training at Cheviot

House."