FIRST FIFTY ARRIVE

Hawera & Normanby Star, Volume LXI, Issue LXI, 26 January 1911, Page 5

FIRST FIFTY ARRIVE

BY TELEGRAPH—PEESS ASSOCIATION

WELLINGTON, Jan. 25

The fifty boys who have been imported under Mr Sedgwick's scheme for farming work in New Zealand arrived by the Athenic this afternoon. They look a healthy a well-selected lot, and gave the health officer no trouble, though the names of three were taken for further observation.

The Minister for Immigration (Hon. G. Fowlds) and the Secretary of Labor (Mr Tregear) met the party on board. The Minister welcomed the lads to the Dominion, saying that the authorities would try and do their best to give them the opportuniy of making a good future. They should live honestly ana honorably in the sight of all men, ana should remember that not only was their own reputation at stake but the possibility of others coming after tTiem depended very largely upon their conduct. They would have opportunities in this country of making an honorable existence, such as would not have been possible in the Old Land.

Mr Tregear reminded the boys that New Zealand was not paved with gold. No gold was got without hard work. The Labor Department would be a kind of foster-father, and if they wanted help and advice they should apply to the officers.

The Church of England Men's Society entertained the boys at tea, and during the evening the party visited the Labor Department's offices, where those proceeding north were interviewed individually, the conditions of apprenticeship entered upon, and agreements signed. This party leaves for the north to-morrow, and the southern contingents leave on Friday.