YOUTHS ON FARMS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXVIII, Issue 23954, 2 May 1941, Page 9

YOUTHS ON FARMS

PROPERTY ACQUIRED PLANS FOR SUBDIVISION PROGRESS OF THE SOCIETY What is regarded fjs a most promising farm settlement scheme for young men was inaugurated .yesterday, when the Auckland Youths' Farm Society took possession of a recently-acquired block of 4500 acres of land near Tangaihi, on tho western bank of a Northern Wairoa lliver, 17 miles south ol Dargaville. Tho property is to be carried on as a grazing run by live young men who have been working on farms under the sponsorship of the society lor six or seven years, and in due course it will be subdivided into about 35 separate dairy farms, occupied by youths whom the society is helping. History of Society The society is under the care of four trustees, Sir Joseph Smith (chairman), and Messrs. M. G. McArthur, T. G. fielder and N. G. Gribble. It was founded seven years ago as an outcome of work done in the depression period by the Auckland Boys Employment Committee, and started operations with £l5O contributed by the Auckland Savings Bank and by various wellwishers through Archbishop Averill. Altogether 48 boys were placed on farms under an arrangement whereby thj society took charge of their savings, with the intention that some day the.v should bo enabled to acquire farms of their own. Government assistance to the scheme enabled the lads' savings to he subsidised. and a fund was built up, sufficient to enable the Tangaihi property to be acquired. Purchas.o ol Stock Mr. Gribble, who is officer in charge of the Government youth centre in Auckland, said yesterday that the property was excellently suited lor its purpose. More than 4000 acres was ploughable and nearly the whole was in pasture, some of it permanent. Tho trustees had purchased 2000 Itomne.v ewes, 10 Polled Angus cattle, and GO calves, all of excellent quality, together with stud rains and bulls. A small dairy herd would be formed. The five young men would undertake fencing, draining and other improvement work with assistance from the Employment Promotion Fund, as well as looking after the stock, and others would join them later. A water supply was being developed, sufficient for '2500 acres.