WAIRARAPA TRAINING FARM

Evening Post, Volume CXXII, Issue 96, 20 October 1936, Page 14

WAIRARAPA TRAINING FARM

As an earnest of the trustees' determination to make full use of the Penrose Training Farm, the chairman, Sir William Perry, in an interview, stated that during the past three months the trustees had given considerable time and thought to the best advantage to which the farm could be utilised in the training of youths in practical farm methods; The main principles, stated Sir William, had been unanimously agreed upon, and at a recent meeting of the trustees it was decided to open the farm for the purpose of training youths, preferably the sons of returned soldiers, and to invite applicants fronj within the Wellington; Province.

Briefly, the scheme is to offer a two years' practical course to trainees, four youths to be appointed in the first year and a further four in the second year, eventually retaining eight youths under training. The boys are to be paid a small weekly allowance, and will be under the care of a capable matron.

Every assistance in this work has been generously offered by officers of ihe Department of Agriculture, whose services will be available for lectures and demonstrations at the farm.

The trustees recently paid a visit to the Smedley Station in Hawke's Bay, at which a similar scheme is in operation,' and Sir William stated that the type of lad in training there and the practical-work that was being carried out.on the station under .the guidance of an . enthusiastic advisory board, pf trustees andxapable manager was convincing ' pi-oof' that the necessity to offer,. training to the. .youth of the country'was-a real one-and excellent results were very much in evidence. Sir. .William paid a! tribute to the splendid work carried out at Smedley Station since his last visit, and, with his"c.'c-.trustees, felt that, a similar scheme in the Wairarapa would'be a fitting one.in the efficient utilisation of the' training farm. " ■ ■ It had been decided to go ahead immediately1 with such a scheme, and applications are to be invited from youths: .15 to 18 years: of age at an early date. ■ •