FLOCK HOUSE BOYS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 7 August 1928, Page 5

FLOCK HOUSE BOYS

LEARNING THRIFT ' LARGE' SUMS SAVED v '_'_",; The progress made by Flock House _:: lads on farms and stations in New Zealand since the first few trainees went . out to employment three and a halt ; v years ago, has been watched with great v interest by thoughtful people, whose at-, ; tention has been attracted by the spirit.', - of zeal and thrift they have displayed in , their efforts to become worthy, citizens of the Dominion (writes ; , a Palmerstoa North correspondent). \ • ' '~'i'It cannot be denied that-the lads have • given an' example that could well be followed by many others in New Zealand, for they realise that, while "the training-'.„■• given them at Flock House is invaluable;.;;•:. % to them, it is not sufficientr-they. must,. >„,> have finance behind them if their ven-'i'f tures on the land are to be successful.They have learned Tthe lesson ofthrift, _ saving this here, and that there, and..; „,i. with the aid of their benevolent trustees, they have shown that ordinary healthy ' and ambitious boys, with a predilection • for country life, but without any, previous farming knowledge or experience, can come into this country, and by hard work, grit and thrift, combined with wise help and guidance, can become:. % most useful members of the farming. : , community. In fact, the boys being ; trained at Flock House to-day can aspire when they are fully qualified, and while . | still in the early years of their matur* I ity, to be in a position to make a start for themselves with every prospect of .; o^: C UCCGSS. • When, four years ago the Flock House scheme was commenced, and the sons of British seamen came • out to New Zea-;, A ,. land to be trained for the land, the trus- --- tees of the institution also commenced a : ' scheme whereby the. trainees' savings from their wages.we're put in trust with the Public Trustee. Naturally, the success of such a scheme depended on the boys themselves, and their excellent response is shown by the follbwing inform- ;,- ation, obtained from the managing trus-: tee, Mr T. R. Lees, who has supplied in—v tabulated form, figures giving the say r ; $s ings from wages, held by the Public V Trustee:— • ■ ■-.■ ' *

OTHER INVESTMENTS

In addition to these funds the Public Trustee holds accumulated pension moneys to the credit of the boys to a total of approximately £3900, while, further, 228 have paid one, two. or. three years' premiums on life assurance policies varying from £2OO to £4OO, the total amount assessed being £64,550. Many also own horses, dogs, saddles and equipment, and a' number of them oyer 20 yeare of age, who draw'their wagesdirect in full, have their own Post Office Savings Bank accounts in addition, though the majority of these stilh continue to have their savings sent in to the care of the trustees. The authorities regard the position as most encouraging; it has camjpletcly justified their fixed policy to form the habit of thrift in the Mock House boys and girls, and although, doubtless, many will slip back when, through coming of age, they pass from under the control of the trustees, it is hoped that the greater number will continue in the habits they have formed and will become substantial citizens of New Zealand. There . is no doubt that the promise of the. trustees to assist later those who play - the game to make a start for themselves, by subsidising their savings, is a powerful incentive. When questioned as to the position:' at Girls' Flock House, near Awapuni; . Mr Lees stated that the trustees were well satisfied with the result of the!.. scheme, but as this institution had been in existence only two years, compared to the boys' four, there* was as yet 'nov^f 1 "*I*' 1 *' thing definite to show.

Over £10 and under £20, 48 trainees Over £20 and under £30, 36 trainees Over £30 and under £40, £50, 30 trainees Over £40 and under 23 trainees Over £50 and under £60, 26 trainees Over £60 and under £70, 45 trainees Over £70 and under £80, 9 trainees Over £80 and under £90, 10 trainees Over £90 and under £100, 9 trainees Over £100 and under £110, 10 trainees Over £110 and under £l20, 4 trainees' Over £120 and under £130, ’4 trainees Over £130 and under £140, 1 trainee! Over £140 and under £150, 1 trainee Over £150 2 trainees 258