SEAMEN’S DEPENDENTS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19066, 11 January 1924, Page 15

SEAMEN’S DEPENDENTS.

TRAINING FARM FOR BOYS. SHEEP-FARMERS’ SCHEME. SOME INTERESTING DETAILS. (From Odr Own Correspondent.) WELLINGTON. January 10. The Hon. Edward Newman, 0.M.G., M.L.C., who was the originator of the scheme by winch New’ Zealand sheepfarmers should do something for the boys of the naval and mercantile marine men injured or killed in the Great War, has given some interesting information regarding the property purchased recently by the New Zealand sheep-farmers as a training farm. The property, he says, is admirably suited for such a purpose. It consists of all qualities of land from waste sand to rich bullock fattening ground, and will take in about iCKX) acres of the “Flockhouse” Estate, including the palatial residence erected by Mr Lynn MTvelvie, and about MX) acres of the Waitatapia Estate owned by Messrs Dalrymple Bros. It is necessary to have a large property of varied kinds of land on which all branches of farming work can be carried on. At “Flockhouse ’ it is proposed to have at least two dairy farms where the boys will learn dairy work on up-to-date methods, Sheep farming, cropping (to a limited extent), poultry fanning, fruit growing, and tree planting will also bo taught. All stock bred on the station will bo fattened there. It is proposed to plant the lighter land with trees on a large scale each season. The maximum area possible will be dealt with by this means. The boys will bo taught to be interested in afforestation, and the value of the station will be greatly increased. “Twenty years hence,” said Mr Newman, “the plantations on Waitatapia should bo worth a very large sum of money, perhaps as much as (he whole property is costing now. Our idea is to make the boys good, practical farmers. They will probably stay for six months at ‘Flockhouse’ to get a grounding in their training. They will be sent on to carefully selected farms where they will receive wages, part of which will be retained for their benefit by the trustees. The farm will have to undertake to teach them their business and trout them properly. One of the trustees will keep his eye on each boy. After three years or so the trustees will assist the boys to start in whatever kind of farming they may fancy. The scheme is intended to deal with about 50 boys arriving every three months. The first batch is now being selected by the London Advisory Committee, and it is expected they will arrive in Now Zealand about the end of February or early in March. It is proposed to have the boys under reasonable discipline, with good wholesome surroundings, and every effort will be made to bring them up as patriotic settlers and with a proper pride in the Empire, to save which their fathers died at sea during the war. The trustees will endeavour to take the place of the fathers to the boys. Sport will not be neglected.” Mr Newman referred to the fact that good prices for wool have come back, and are likely to be maintained for many years. If any farmer who had not subscribed to the fund felt inclined now to do a bit that way he was sure the trustees would be glad to tell what they wanted most. Asked for further information, Mr Newman replied: “Well, we can do with a chapel and an organ for the boys to start with. Good flagstaff’s would be appreciated, and there were no doubt many other things which Mr Lees could indicate if asked.”

“We hope,” said Mr Newman, “to run un our flag at “Fockhouse’ about, the middle of next month, and it will be kept flying from dawn to dusk for many years as a sign that the sbeepfarmers of this dominion will never forget what they owe to the fathers of these boys. All must feel that it is an honour and a privilege to do something for the sons of our gallant sailors.”