BOYS' EMPLOYMENT

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21466, 13 April 1933, Page 14

BOYS' EMPLOYMENT

WORK OF COMMITTEE FIRST ANNUAL MEETING SUCCESSFUL YEAR'S WORK The finding of employment in town or country for more than 1000 boys during the past year was reported at the first annual meeting of the Auckland Boys' Employment Committee held last evening. The president, Mr. N. G. Gribble, presided. Sir Joseph Smith was elected as the now president. The president's report stated that placements for the year ending March 31 totalled 594 itor the town and 447 for tho country, a total of 1041. Sinco July town placements were 401 and country placements 393, or an average of 100 a month. The cost of placements since last July had been approximately £1 a head. As a result of tho committee's work 450 boys had been taken from tho congested city area and had been provided for in a reasonable way by employers. In terms of money value this meant a weekly relief of 17s Gd for an average of 225 boys during the year. This was an amount in excess of £IO,OOO per annum without taking into account at all tho substantial relief which must accrue from city placements. St. John's camp piovidcd useful outdoor work under skilled supervision, and of 113 boys who had passed through the camp 67 had gone to positions. The town depot gave useful occupation to from 12 to 16 boys while they were awaiting employment.The cash statement showed total receipts of £2494 14s 4d, of which by far tho larger part, £2277 9s Bd, had come from subscriptions and donations. The expenditure totalled £1536 10s 2d, leaving in hand a balance of £958 4s 2d. Speakers congratulated the committee on its work and on the report preB Mr. V. T. Drew referred to similar work' in Chmtchurch from which he had just returned. . Mr. W. J. Holdsworth expressed himself as delighted with the report, and advocated a central farm from which bovs might be sent out to work on surrounding farms, returning each night. That was being done with much success in Australia, and they must try and cater here on a still larger scale for bovs on the land. The need for vocational guidance and tho advantage of having agricultural text books in the schools were emphasised by Mr. A. J- Entrican Mr. Gribble explained that he was unable to seek re-election as president. Tho following officers were appointed: Patron, His Excellency, Lord Bledisloe; president, Sir Joseph Smith; vice, president, Mr. E. E. Kitchener; committee, the Mayor of Auckland, Archbishop Aver ill, Bishop Listen Messrs. \ G Lunn, W. F. O Donnell, S..E. Bmnkt S: Takle, J Bloodworth. j W. McGechie, R. F. Warel, H. C. Robinson, H. S. Eastgate, A. E. Brown. J T F. Mitchell, V. T. Drew ; auditors, Messrs. Morris, Duncan and Allies. relief at devonport REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES The annual meeting of the Devonport Welfare Association was held ° n Tu ®®" day evening, the Mayor, Mr. H. r. Meikle, presiding. The Mayor said the public had re sponded to every call, Jhus enabling every deserving case to be The secretary, Mr. T. P. biiieaoei, said tho street collection produced hU 10s and donations and other income brought the amount to £IBB. Over six acres were now being cultivated for vegetables. The value of last years crops was £185!. About 100 tonSoffirewood were being secured at Albany. Present concessions included boot r pairing, ferry tickets and clothing at wholesale rates^^^_ *