BRAMWELL BOOTH BOYS’ HOME

Timaru Herald, Volume CLIII, Issue 22473, 7 January 1943, Page 2

BRAMWELL BOOTH BOYS’ HOME

Various Activities

Individuality Studied

Modern authorities generally agree that the chief aim of educational activities should be to teach pupils a cultured and balanced attitude to life, rather than the mere absorption of book-learning. To this end, it is recognised that the atmosphere or outlook on life conveyed by both the general .surroundings of a school and by the individual teachers, is perhaps the most important part of the curriculum. Adjutant A. Angus, the manager of the Bramwell Booth Salvation Army Boys’ Home at Temuka, and a past old boy, strives to achieve the attainment of the right atmosphere among the 52 boys at present in the Home. The cheerful and intelligent faces of the boys fully reflect the Adjutant’s efforts in this direction. Since the Home was founded in 1916, approximately 345 lads have passed through the institution to take their place in industrial and farmingpursuits, fully equipped to compete on even terms with those more fortunate youths who have had the undoubted advantages of upbringing in private homes. To-day the home shelters 52 boys of from lour to 16 years. The Home, situated in such favourable surroundings, and with 32 acres of land attached, lends itself admirably to the practical training of the boys in farming and gardening pursuits, which is of value even to those lads who do not go to farms in later years. Dairy TrainingThere is a herd of 16 cows, and, under the supervision of the farm manager (Sergeant L. Brown) the elder lads are given a good training in dairy procedure. A feature of the instruction is that the cows are never roped, being so carefully and quietly handled from the time that they first come in that they seldom give the least trouble. The boys are given a thorough training in hand-milking. All the processes are carried on by the boys, from milking to separating. The separated milk is used for feeding pigs. The breeding of pedigree pigs has been a feature for many years and numerous prizes have been won at Oamaru and Winchester shows by the purebred Berkshire breed. The boys take a very keen interest in this ’"art of their work, particularly since the modern scientific methods of pig husbandry has been adopted. The younger lads find scope for their outdoor proclivities in the poultry runs and in vegetable gardening, and every vegetable and all the milk and eggs used at the Home are produced on the premises. The vegetable garden covers an area of more than two acres, and in addition four acres of potatoes are grown. The poultry run of approximately 100 birds is under the care of two boys, who undertake the responsibility of the birds in a most able manner. Scope for Sport The Home, which was originally the residence of Lieutenant-Colonel J. T. M. Hayhurst, lends itself admirably to the providing of sporting facilities, and there is full scope for football, cricket, tennis and swimming. For the younger children, swings, see-saws and a sand pit are provided. Sport of all kinds is encouraged by the management, and the team spirit is fully manifest amongst the boys. Several of the boys from the Home have been chosen by the school authorities to represent the Temuka District High School in their football tournaments and one of the boys, Ernest Jones, has captained the school team. The educational needs of the bovs are fully catered for. The WattLowry School, which is situated in the Home grounds, provides for children up to Standard IV. The school is run under the direction of the headmaster of the Temuka District High School and is staffed by two Government teachers. Form 1 and Form 2 boys receive their education at the local school. Every opportunity is given to lads, recommended by the headmaster, to attend High School and receive the full benefits of higher education. Meeting Great Need The Home, which is controlled and staffed by members of the Salvation Army, is more than ever to-day meeting a great need. Boys of all denominations and circumstances and from all parts of the Dominion are sent to the Home by the Social Secretary of the Salvation Army in New Zealand and all receive the same welcome. “The whole aim of the staff,” said Adjutant Angus, “is to make the atmosphere as near as possible that >f a private home. Every endeavour is made to develop and encourage the individuality of each boy and to avoid the repressing effects of what might oe called the ‘institutional atmosphere’ to creep in. The children are given as much responsibility as possible and made to feel that it is their home. The staff are there to make it as homelike as possible ,for them.” A sincere tribute was paid by Adjutant Angus to the generous assistance received from residents and organisations throughout the South Canterbury district. “Many people take a sincere and generous interest in the welfare of the children, a.s has again been proved this Christmas season, when collections and gifts far exceeded those of previous years. The annual visit of the combined Masonic Lodges on Christmas Day is an occasion joyfully anticipated 'by every boy, this function being the commencement of a full day’s festivities supported generously by gifts from Temuka, Pleasant Point, and Fairlie residents.