FARM TRAINING FOR BOYS

Hokitika Guardian, 17 October 1930, Page 2

FARM TRAINING FOR BOYS

THE PENROSE SCHOOL

PREFERENCE TO SOLDIERS’ SONS, WELLINGTON, October 15. Everything is now in readiness for the opening of the Penrose Farm School, and within a few days applications for enrolment will be invited by the Education Department. Provision will be made for twenty-five boys, who will be expected to stay at the school for from eighteen months to two years in order that a full year of farming operations may be well covered. At a meeting of tlie Wellington Education Board to-day. Mr A. Donald said he understood preference would be given to boys who had had two or three years’ post-primary education. He was of opinion that it would be better for boys to go to the institution from the sixth standard. Two or throe years at a high school would put a bov out of touch with the land, and there was a tendency for him to develop into a coat and collar man. This view was endorsed by other speakers.

Mr A. G. Blake said he thought the word “preference” should be struck out and every case judged on its merits.

The chairman (Mr T. Forsyth) said no doubt the Department would take this into consideration when selecting pupils. An officer of the Department stated this afternoon that, in selecting entrants, preference would be given as follows:—(1) To sons of soldiers who have completed a two years’ course of

secondary education, including instruction in agricultural science; (2) to sons of soldiers who have attained the

age of fourteen years; (3) to other boys who have completed a two years’ course.of secondary education, including instruction in agricultural science; (4) to other boys who have attained the age of fourteen years and who enrol within six months of having left school. Boys from private schools will be eligible on the same conditions as ,boys from public primary or secondary schools.

The farm consists of 736 acres of land, within eight miles of Masterton, managed by a board of trustees under the Department of Agriculture. The present buildings include the ne:essarv farm buildings, besides some hostel accommodation. The buildings were provided originally training of returned soldiers who wished to go on the land; and, after they had served that purpose, for the training of boys for agricultural and pastoral pursuits, with preference to sons of soldiers. In order to bring the institution up to date, a substantial grant has been approved. out of which will be povided a combined science laboratory and classroom, quarters for the housemaster in charge of the hostel, and an electric lighting and power installation.