BRITISH SEAMEN

New Zealand Times, Volume LI, Issue 12015, 18 December 1924, Page 7

BRITISH SEAMEN

FARMERS’ DEBT SHEEP OWN ER-S’ EFFORTS TO HELP SAILORS’ DEPENDENTS. FLOCK HOUSE STATION. The fourth annual mooting of the KMitributcrs to the Non Zoo, land iheepfarmcis Acknowledgement oi debt to British Seamen Fund was held yesterday when the Hon. Edward Newman, M.L.C., C.AI.G., presided. Other members preteiit were Messrs M. Bethell, P. R. l.cro, O. S. Watkins, A. Mclntosh. S. L. Marshall, C. M. Luke, L. O. H. Tripp, and E. B. Wilson (secretary). ANNUAL REPORT. The annual report showed that consideration was given by the executive committee to 21M applications ior financial assistance from sailors and dependents. Relief payments totalled £2761 15s 8d and loans amounted to £l9O. ■‘'lmproved industrial conditions have relieved the fund from the necessity of assisting a considerable number o. men who in less favourable times were unable to obtain employment suited to their disa/bilitiee,” continues the annual report. “In almost every case which is now being assisted by the fund the need of relief is directly or indirectly the result of service afloat during the war. The trustees fee! that they are now in a position to indicate with some degree of accuracy the rxtent to which tho fund will bo called Upon to render assistance in the future. There are a considerable musoer of permanently disabled sailors and dependents who con be regarded Us being more or less permanent fcene--sdiaries and they will represent an annual expenditure of approximately £IBOO per annum. With the possibility of other such cases coming under notice, and allowing for assistance from lime to time to cases of partial or temporary disablement, it would- appear that the ' fund’s expenditure m the form of relief payments in New Zealand will, for some years io come, to about £2500 per annum. EXPENDITURE IN ENGLAND. “The London Advisory ComrSittee continues to grant financial assistance to a considerable number of dependents and sailoia in England who are in need of help as the result of war service. In- view of the inauguration of the training farm scheme iby which the orphaned cons of seamen are transferred from' England to New Zealand, ithe London committee's work will more and more be confined to this form of {help though there will be for some ooCßidemibly time a ipenmment pension list attended to (by the London committee which trill cover the most distressing cases and particularly those hi which the sailor or deceased sailer served on vessels trading between New Zealand and England during the war. An audited statement or xacoonts to June 30th, 1924, has not yet came to 'band, but one far the period April Ist, 1928, to January 81st, 1924, has .been received and shows that daring I that time reidef ■ expenditure amounted to £2084 9s 3d. The committee’s expenditure from February Ist to Juno Oth, 1924, was, as per cabled advise: received, £1879 12a 7d. .The. London in ■mini fnu continues to bave ihe aesistoiMs, in t bp invwitigatimT' of dakrx

and in the dir.bi’Mcraent ’of grant?, oi other organisations in England which cater for the needs oi’ &osßien. “Wo .would again express our very sincere, thanks to Sir James, Allen, tho members of his committee,, and to the lion, secretary, Mr C. .Knowles, ior their, untiring efforts in tho interests .-pi tho full‘s (land war sufferers.. ■We Would alau" extend our hearty thanks to the kindred organisations who by their co-cpcration ha've been of great assistance to the London committee. Lieutenant-Colonel Fitzierfccrfc, C.M.G C.8.E., who has been a valued member of the committee ever since its formation, will shortly be visiting Now Zealand, and we look forward to obtaining' from his detailed information concerning tho’ committee's more reevonf activities.’' After complimenting Mr Lees and his staff fur their fine work at Flock House, the report states:— A FINE PROPERTY. “Flock House Station has proved, as anticipated, most suitable ior the purpose of training overseas boys in tho initial stages of farm and station work, as it comprises all classes of Jand and enables every description of farm work to ho undertaken. The fine ferroconcrete homestead has required no structural alterations and provides ample dormitory acemmodation for 50 hoys and the staff, with dining accommodation for -over 100. Since possession was taken, the following outside buildings have been erected: Lavatories, oath and dressing rooms with septic tank, gardener’s cottage, up-to- j date milking .shed with machines, stab- j lee and implement sheds, and meat j house. During the present year it is ! proposed to instal additional dormitory 1 accommodation and erect woolshed, slaughterhouse, piggeries and other necessary buildings. A fine flow of artesian water haa been secured, which gives an ample supply of pure water to the hostel, lavatories .milking shed, piggeries, etc.; the overflow watering a cumber of the farm paddocks. FARMING OPERATIONS. “The property has been fully stocked with sheep and cattle, the latter comprising a large well-bred herd of Polled Angus (ows and heifers, bullocks for fattening, and a dairy herd of grade Jerseys. The sheep are of good Romney typo, the breeding ewes and ewe hoggets taken over from Waitatapia being exceptionally good. A good lambing was obtained, and all tho stock are in good condition. “A start was made in July with tho afforestation of the lighter land, 75 acres being planted wi|t<h. pinus radiata, and a nursery has been established to provide trees for planting 100 acres in. each of the two following years. “A generous area has been devoted to garden and orchard round the hostel and, under the competent supervision of the horticulturist promises excellent results. LIFE ON THE STATION. “All the hoys settled down to wofk an arrival, with enthusiasism and determination to' make good, and many have become quite useful farm assistants. They are allotted weekly, by.the manager, in drafts to the different jobs of dairying, fencing; shepherding', ploughing, gardening and orchard, Carpentering, Scrub-cutting, etc., and work under and with the foreman of the particular job to which they ; are allotted. A number are also allotted weekly to the hostel as orderlies, and these boys assist in the house-cleaning, washing, preparation of food, cooking, Jto. ■ “A very good-and full kit of clothes, covering all necessaries, and including ! rilakin, overcoat, rug, etc. ,is supplied i io each boy by the fund before leaving I Oi'.r T¥ A* --A •

England, and becomes tho boy’s own property on leaving Flock House. “Technical instruction in the theory and practice of agriculture, live stock raising, seeds, manures, insect pests, weeds, -etc., is given twice weekly by tllie director and lecturers of the I’eilding Agricultural High School. “Military drill and physical exercises liavo been provided for by the formation, under the Defence Department, of the Flock House Senior Cadet Company, an experienced officer, who iv an employee of the station, being company commander, and it is intended to shortly instal a rifle range. “Football, cricket and tennis (besides indoor games) are played by the boys, the cricketing outfit being presented by His Excellency the GovernorGeneral (Viscount Jellicoc), and the tennis outfit by Messrs Levin and Co., Ltd.

“Church services are held every Sunday at Flock' House by the ministers of the different denominations, at which tho local residents as well as the boys and staff at Flock House attend. It is hoped during the current year to be able to erect our own chapel for this purpose. “The trustees have received many (applications from farmers who wish to ! obtain the services of the boys as farm ' assistants when they are fitted for emjployment. Preference is given as em- ! ployers io subscribers to the fund, and .‘the utmost care is taken to place the j boys suitably. Up to the date of this re- | port. 19 boys have been placed in {satisfactory positions, with good homes i r.nd at current rates of wages, on three {years agreement with subscribers to 'the fund. The farmers with whom the flboys are etmpAoyed are taking the greatest personal interest in the lads, and have expressed their appreciation of the excellent initial training which lias been effected in so short a time. “It is probable that before the end of the year all the first draft of boys will have been placed. FUTURE WELFARE OF THE BOYS. “The boys leaving Flock House have been encouraged to form themselves into a “Flock House Old Boys’ Association,” and to keep closely m touch by correspondence with each other and the managing trustee. “It is intended to hold at Flock House an annual camp and re-union of all old boys on June 30th in each year, the anniversary of the arrival of the first lot of boys ex the s.s. Remuera, to further the spirit of comradeship and to cultivate in the minds of the boys the feeling that Flock House is their New Zealand home. “The trustees’ interest in the lads will not cease until the time comes when they are all satisfactory settled on farms of their own and in a position to help others in the way they have themselves been helped. When they are of mature age and are competent farmers and have proved their worth by employers’ reports and their own savings, the trustees will consider further assistance towards the desired end, so far as funds will permit. DONATIONS. “A considerable number of books and periodicals for the boys* library, pictures, sports material and concessions on purchases have been and continue to be received from sympathisers with the movement, and to these donors we would again express our hearty thanks and, appreciation. We desire alsi to gratefully acknowledge the following valuable and very much appreciated gifts:— Viscount Jellicoe: Complete cricketing outfit. I Naval Board, Wellington: Engineroom Telegraph, ex H.M.SV New Zealand. ftosyth Sbipbre&king Company, Ltd.: i

Steering wheel, cx H.U.S. New Zealand. Mr Lynn K. McKelvie: Flagstaff. The residents of Bulls and Rangitikei; Gramophone. The Union Steam Ship. Company of New Zealand, Lid.: Handsome model of ono of company’s vessels. New Zealand Shippings Company, Ltd. : Large oil painting of H.M.S. i New Zealand, two hull models of ships, { and pictures. Leviu and Co., Ltd: Complete threecourt tennis outfit. I Marton branch of Navy League: Visi- | tors’ book. j Captain Hamilton, _R.N. : New Zealand Red Ensign. Imperial Museum, London: • Ship’s I boll. Captain and Mrs F. Haworth: New Zealand Blue Ensign flown on H.M.T.S. Knight Templar. The balance-sheet up to June 30t/h, 1924, showed the balance of assets over liabilities ait £164,454 16s 2d. -VALUABLE WORK. Hon. Mr Newman, in moving the adoption of the report, referred with regret to the death of one of the boys named Johnson, wiho had been very popular amongst the other boys.' .{He congratulated t.he trustees upon having acquired Flock House, as it was well suited for the training of the hoys in farming pursuits, and with a rise in land values consequent on the increase in the price of wool if would become a very valuable property.. The trustees would have to consider the question of widening the scope of the fund which he considered should take in every man wiuv served at m during the war. He had often been asked how long the fund would last, and he thought that if wool remained at its present prioe the fund would l»=h a long time. The fund had been, subscribed to ds 3000 wool growers, and this meant that there were 30,000 who had not subsoribed. He would like to appeal to those who hod not subscribed, and let the trustees have some more money. It was difficult to say what would become of the dependents of sailors who had been killed in the war after ih*. fund had discontinued its help. With wool at its present prioe he thought that growers might easily make a donation to the fund. A chapel was wanted at Flock House as well as a recreation hall and gymnasium for use by the boys on wet days. He concluded by stating that they were fortunate in having Air Lees in manager of Flock House with such s capable staff under him. DAUGHTERS TOO?

Mr Watkins said that with the funds available . their activities were somewhat limited. These were the daughters of sailors who might be helped. If they were going to make an appeal he thought that they should' put forward a concrete scheme.

Mr Mclntosh seconded the adoption of the annual report and, balancesheet, and the motion was carried Mr Lees (brought up the question of the £20,000 surplus held by the Government from the sale of commandeered wool. The money belonged to the sheepfarmere (of New Zealand, and he thought that the Government would bo only too willing to hand it over. A sub-oanrmittee, consisting of Hon. Mr Newman, 'Messrs Newman, Mam shall, Watkins, and Watson, was set up to go into the question of widening the soope of the fund, and also approaching the Government with regard to the disposal of tho £20,000 siurplus on the sale of commandeered wool.

Mr Lees then moved “that this meeting of contributors approves of the inauguration of a .scheme by wfctch the, widowed mothers' and 'sisters of the' [boys under training in New Zealand may be brought in to New Zealand and be trained in fanning, and domes-' tic pursuits And instructs the exeoutive committee to develop such a scheme and report to the board.” Mr Newman was re-elected chairman of trustees. .