FLOCK HOUSE

Greymouth Evening Star, 21 February 1939, Page 8

FLOCK HOUSE

VACANCIES FOR BOYS The Department of Agriculture Fields Instructor at Greymouth (Mr. A. D. Mercer) has been requested by the Department to bring before the notice of farmers on the West Coast the opportunities offered to boys through the training at. Flock House. Palmerston North. The institution had had accommodation for 50 boys and’ has just completed the building of a new wing io increase the accommodation, but at the present time there are onlX boys in residence on the property. The training at Flock House is thorough, and is offered free, with good accommodation and a small amount of pocketmoney. The institution is open to any New Zealand boy who wishes to learn the rudiments of farming. Unfortunately, there has been a tendency in the past for the public to view Flock House as a sort of reformatory institution. It is not an institution for uncontrollable hoys, but is a place where they can secure a good knowledge of mixed farming. Many boys who have passed through Flock House have obtained sufficient knowledge of general farming to enable them to obtain positions on farms, where they have since made good. The only requirement for admission to Flock House is that the trainee shall be of good health, of sound morality, and keen to learn something of the ’practices of farming. The property covers over 8000 acres, carrying more than 9.000 sheep, and 150 milking cows, and 1000 head of Polled Angus cattle, so that ample opportunities are afforded thoroughly to train the boys in many phases of farming. On completion of the 12 months’ course, the boy is placed as an agricultural worker with an approved farmer, so that his training can be continued under sound guidance. A regular and thorough follow-up system is in operation, so that every boy is visited once in three months by a Fields Division Instructor, io see that everything is well with the boys and their training.