EMPLOYMENT FOR BOYS

Taranaki Daily News, 2 August 1932, Page 11

EMPLOYMENT FOR BOYS

FURTHER SUGGESTIONS MADE. DELIVERY SERVICE A SUCCESS. New schemes for providing work for unemployed boys at New Plymouth were put forward at the weekly meeting of the boys yesterday afternoon. The kindling wood factory, it was reported, continued to be successful, and so keen was the demand for the services of the parcel delivery boys that the number thus employed would soon possibly be doubled. There were 20 boys present. Adjutant S. Green presided, and with him were Messrs. W. G. Reid (secretary), 0. Johnson and H. H. Grayling. Adjutant Green reported that the bal-, ance remaining after the “pay-out” on July 20 was £2 18s. 6d. In the week following £6 2s. 9d. was received from sales of wood and 10s. from a donation. Wages paid at the last pay-out were £5 6s. lid. and other expenses amounted to £3 55., leaving a balance in hand of 19s. 4d. Payments for work at the factory were made on the group system, the speaker explained. A tally was kept of the amount of kindling wood produced by each group and each boy in a group received the same payment. Some boys had been paid as much as 7s. 3d. during the last week. The lowest payment was 2s. lid. Parcel delivering netted one of the boys 7s. 9d., and with work at the factory he brought his weekly earnings to 10s. sd. A letter had been received asking if it would be possible to supply the writer with about 200 boxes for growing seedlings, Adjutant Green said. A second scheme had been suggested by a floor polish company. It was prepared to pay a certain amount per dozen tins in which the polish had originally been sold.

The third scheme was more comprehensive and would provide work for some time. This was the numbering of the residences in the borough. The adjutant had written, to the New Plymouth Borough Council asking permission to carry out the work, pointing out that it was a necessary work which would involve the council in no expense. He had a married unemployed man with business experience whom he proposed to put in charge. Work would be provided for a number of single men and some of the older unemployed boys. The whole numbering of the borough would be reorganised, and the numbers of the residences would be painted on the gates at a cost of one shilling per house, the householder to pay for the work. Mr. Reid reported there were two positions on farms available for boys, Though a number of boys had signified their intention of joining Mr. A. L. Moore’s special class at the technical school only three had enrolled. Mr. Grayling urged the boys to accept farm positions if possible. They would be better in the country than in the town.

One of the boys reported that the suggestion of making seed boxes had been taken up and an order secured that afternoon. , Sir. Reid made a suggestion that seedling lettuce and other such suitable plants should be raised in small tins. He thought there would be a ready market for disposal of seedlings. Mr. Johnson suggested the making of. fowl grit from shells or any other suitable substance. The Post and Telegraph Department notified in connection with the delivery service that the carrying of written messages would be a contravention of the Post and Telegraph Act.