CAREERS ON THE LAND

Dominion, Volume 28, Issue 96, 17 January 1935, Page 4

CAREERS ON THE LAND

Training Course For Idle Boys AT PENROSE NEXT MONTH Arrangements have been completed for the third agricultural training course for unemployed boys, which will commence at Penrose, Masterton, early in February next. The object of the course is to provide city boys with an opportunity of first-hand contact with actual farm conditions, and encouraging them to take up farm work permanently in the future.

It is felt by the Boy Employment Committee that, as in the previous years, this training course will not only be of value in itself, but it will serve to ameliorate the condition of many boys, particularly older boys, who are unemployed, and whose prospects of obtaining employment in the city are at present very slender. Many of these boys come from homes where the breadwinner is on relief or out of work. In addition, this year’s training opportunities will be made avilable to boys who, having left school at the end of last year, are desirous of testing their fitness for work in the country. It is intended that this training should point the way to what appears to be one solution to the distressing problem of juvenile unemployment in the city, and its object is to transfer the interest of as many city boys as possible to the country. Ideal Situation. The site again chosen for the training is the Wairarapa training farm property which is situated adjacent to Sir William Perry’s Penrose property, eight miles from Masterton. There is a complete farm equipment on the property, ideally situated, and providing excellent housing accommodation for the boys, with facilities for cooking, recreation, sanitation, etc. Tenting aceommoda,tion will be added. It is intended this year to enrol groups of 25 boys at a time, and following one month’s intensive training to place these boys in suitable rural employment. In connection with this year’s efforts, the Wellington Y.M.C.A. and the Wellington Boy Employment Committee will have the practical cooperation of the Unemployment Board, the Department of Agriculture, the Wairarapa Training Farm trustees and staff, and citizens and farmers who are interested in and appreciate the value of the scheme.

With the co-operation of the training farm staff under the farm manager, Mr. Blatchford, and nearby farmers, an attractive curriculum of practical farm training will be carried out. This will include the use, manipulation and care of tools and. implements, hand aud machine milking, fencing, horse and team work, sheep work, and visits to nearby farms. Every Friday, during the course, will be given over to theoretical and school work, when the Department of Agriculture will provide lectures and demonstrations on the following subjects:—Soils and manures, grasses and pastures, stock (cattle, sheep, horses and pigs), implements, wool, poultry raising. A programme of recreation is being arranged and Masterton citizens are being incited to co-operate in the provision of entertainment.

Variety of Interests.

The general programme of the course will provide boys with a variety of interests, and at the same time ensure for them a maximum of farm instruction. Mr. Len J. Greenberg, general secretary of the Y.M.C.A., will again be in charge of the course and will have the assistance of the staff of the, Y.M.C.A. and Boy Employment Committee. Honorary medical officers and other officials will also be appointed. The training course is restricted to boys and youths under 21 years of age, and to qualify for enrolment, a boy must give evidence of good character and a desire to work in the country in the event of an opportunity offering. He must be in reasonably good health, and have the written consent of parent or guardian. Boys accepted for the camp who are unemployed and in needy circumstances will not be required to make any payment, their keep while participating in the course being provided from funds made available by the Unemployment Board. Suitable arrangements can be made also for boys whose parents are able and willing to make a small contribution toward the keep of their boys while in training. Boys desiring to enrol for the course should apply immediately to the Y.M.C.A, It is pointed put that this intensive course of training is by no means in the nature of a relief camp, nor is it intended merely as a holiday. It is carried out by voluntary effort on behalf of the citizens of Wellington with a view to assisting Wellington boys. Preference will be given to boys in the order of their suitability, and date of application.