THE STATE FARM AT LEVIN.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1165, 29 June 1894, Page 33

THE STATE FARM AT LEVIN.

Mr J. Mackay, of the Labour Department, paid a visit of inspection to tho State farm at Levin on Thursday, and found a very satisfactory state of things existing thero. A quantity of fruit trees have been obtained from the South, and the men in charge of the orchard hope to hare it planted out in the course of a few days. The tents in which the settlers have been living are fast disappearing, and in their places aro being erected substantial two and threo - roomed cottages. A movement is on foot to erect a hall to be used as a lecturo and reading-room during the long winter evenings, and also for religious purposes on Sundays. Several people in Levin and the neighbourhood have intimated their willingness to instruct tho children from tho settlement in Sundayschool subjects, offers havo been mado for the holding of services for persons belonging to various persuasions, and assistance has also been promised in the shape of lectures and other forms of entertainment on week nights. Tho settlement is conducted on tho most orderly lines, and there is even a spice of military discipline in some of their doings, as tho men start work in the morning to tho sound of a bugle played by an accomplished member of the community. The bugle, however, will probably be shortly superseded by a bell. The natural kindness and goodness of heart of tho settlers were forcibly illustrated by an incident which occurred a few days since. One of tho men while engaged in under - scrubbing had tho misfortune to seriously injure his hand. As he had a largo family depending upon him, and as, owing to tho inclement weather, he had not been working full time recently, the men held a meeting under the presidency of the manager, and 30 of them thero and then agreed to go on the injured man's section and each do half a day's work for their mate, thus putting him in the same position as if he had himself been able to bo at work all the time. Such unselfishness and thoughtful consideration for an unfortunate fellow - worker reflects the greatest credit on these toilers, who aro themselves by no means rich in this world's goods, and we are pleased also to note that the incident has set them considering as to the ways and moans of starting a sick and accident fund to bo utilised in cases of this kind in the future. The spirit of self-reliance shown by the settlers is refreshing to witness in these days, when only too many are willing to subsist on the benevolenco and charity of others, and promises well for tho future prosperity of the State farm.