SETTLING DOWN.

Greymouth Evening Star, 18 March 1911, Page 3

SETTLING DOWN.

SEDGWICK BOYS WRITE CHEER-

FUL LETTERS.

VERDICTS ON NEW ZEALAND LIFE.

[BY TELEGRAPH—SPECIAL TO THE STAR.]

WELLINGTON, This Day. The Sedgwick boy immigrants, who have been placed on New Zealano farms under the supervision of the Labour Department, seem to be generally well satisfied with the change from a crowded English city to the comparative loneliness of New Zealand country life. They undertook to write each month to the Department, and a big batch of letters has come to hand, the majority of the boys having kept their promise. I was permitted to see the letters, and did not discover a serious growl in one of them. The worst complaint related to inadequate clothing. Another boy found Whangarei "a bit hot," but did not suggest moving. The greater portion of the correspondence reflected a feeling of gratitude that an opportunity had been afforded of beginning industrial life amid healthy and hopeful surroundings. Here are some samples of the messages :

"I thank you 1 very much for putting me at this farm, as I like the people very much. I also feel quite at home. I have not yet begun to be homesick. Since I have been here I have learned to milk one cow, twice each day." "I am getting on fine," writes another boy cheerfully. "I can plough, harrow, and disc harrow, and can drive two, three or four horse teams. Have been ploughing all day to-day. lam fairly comfortable, but the "warries" (whares) are not very grand. lam getting on fine and the work is better than I thought it would be. lam better off now for a good home than ever I've been for the last four years." "I am very pleased with my position," writes a boy settled on the East Coast. "My only hope is that the other boys have been as well placed as I have." A city lad. Avhose verdict on farm life is that it suits him "down to the ground," already asks how he can nominate his sister, because a place is awaiting her and he thinks he can "raise the wind." "I was told that farm work would be dreary, but I have not found it so," reflects another youthful immigrant. This would probably be heartily endorsed by one of his ship mates who proudly records having learned to use a gun. "Shot two rabbits out of four shots."