Formal Transfer of Flock House to Government Eulogistic Reference to Trustees

Manawatu Times, Volume 62, Issue 35, 11 February 1937, Page 7

Formal Transfer of Flock House to Government

Eulogistic Reference to Trustees

NOBLE WORK NOBLY DONE. There was a historic gathering in picturesque surroundings on the steps of Flock House, Bulls, yesterday, when with due ceremony the Trustees formally handed over their charge to the Government, the official representatives of which were Hon. W. Lee Martin, Minister of Agriculture, Hon. F. Langstone, Minister of Lands, Mr. A. H. Cockayne, Director-General of Agriculture, and Mr. N. T. Lambourne, Director of Education. Representing the Trustees were Mr. Edward Newman, C.M.G. (chairman), who was master of ceremonies, Mr. T. R. Lees, managing Trustee, and Mr. J. Inn k later, deputy-chairman. There was revealed a record of notable achievement and a note of sadness in handing over a duty well done.

Others present included: Messrs. Ormond Wilson, M.P. (Raugitikei), C. L. Hunter, M.P. (Otaki); A. W. Mulligan, private secretary Minister of Lauda; C. R. Knowles, private secretary Minister of Agriculture; R. V. Teunent (Wellington), Director of Fields Division; N. 0. Robinson, secretary Agricultural Department; G. L. Eweu, District Fields Inspector; K. Dalryinple, chairman Rangitikei County Council; fc>. A. R. Mair, engineer; H. Richardsofi; J. E. Walker, chairman Bulls Town Board; G. Eliott (Feilding); also Messrs. A. feltuart (Marton),* G. L. Marshall (Marlon), 0. M. Luke (Wellington), Trustees of Flock House, J. G. Mitchell (manager of the estate) and Revs. R. E. Fordyce (Sanson) and Shelton (Bulls). The ladies with the Ministerial party were Mrs. and Miss Lee Martin and Mrs. Cockayne. Prior to the ceremony the visitors were hospitably entertained at morning tea daintily served by the matron, Miss M. Samson, and her staff.

Apologies were offered by Major F. G. Hume (secretary) on behalf of Sir. Jas. Allen, Messrs. Marmaduke Bethel, Ralph Beetham, G. B. Hull, A. Macintosh, L. O. H. Tripp, W. G. Rudd and A. Sutherland (trustees) and Messrs. L. G. Lowry, M.P., J. Hodgens, M.P., W. Robertson, Under-Socretary for Lands, Dr. F. J. Watson, medical adviser, R.S.A. (Wellington), and Hon. P. Fraser, Minister for Education, who sent •the following message:—

“Sorry will not be able to bo present at formal handing over of Flock House station to the Crown. Mr. Lambourne, Director of Education, will however represent me at the ceremony. Shall be glad if you can meantime permit me to express my appreciation of the great debt to British Seamen Fund in the training of boys and particularly’ in guiding and helping them after they had taken up positions. I have always taken a great interest iu the splendid work of the trustees whose devotion and experience will, I hope, be at the service of the departments which are to participate in the administration ot the scheme in tho future. I look forward to the work being carried on iu the same fine spirit as hitherto now that it is to be extended to our New Zealand boys. 1 can assure you the Education Department will do everything possible to make the new Flock House scheme a great success.”

The boys under the charge of Lieut. T. C. Campbell formed a guard of honour and were inspected by the Ministers.

Before introducing the Hon. Loe Martin, Mr. Newman said it was with mixed feelings he was taking part in the ceremony that day. Flock House had boen more than a matter of ordinary interest as au experiment from beginning to end—iu fact it had been the principal interest of his public career. But the sorrow felt in its passing was mitigated somewhat by the conlideuc** gained from Air. Fraser’s message. Mr. Newman felt assured the Government in the end would make a success of this undertaking. The total area of oh© station was 8261 acres and inemdeu every class of land eminently suitabio for training. It was of the greatest importance that the boys should be taught the business of farming on land that was not first-class only, and this opinion had been confirmed by the principals of colleges he had visited in Canada and England. He congratulated the Government"ou its enterprise in taking over the estate aud its scheme to accomplish it. Acting for the trustees he had now to say the property had passed out of their hands to the Government. He sincerely hoped they would have every success. He was glad it was in the job of the Hon. Lee Alartin, who was an enthusiastic farmer who would deal pleasantly with the management. “During the 12 years I understand that some 1000 boys have been trained and have become absorbed in the agricultural life of tho Dominion, with credit to themselves and also to Flock House. The policy of the trustees in formulating the course with the dual object of efficient farm training and good citizenship has been abundantly vindicated. The work of Flock House will always be associated with agriculture in this Dominion and will, i venture to say, occupy an honoured place in its records. “I feel I may say without any hesitation that in the opinion of the public of New Zealand the moral debt to which the Flock House scheme owed its creation has been honourably discharged in so far as is humanly possible. This thought must, 1 am sure, bo a source of deep satisfaction to the sheep owners of N.Z. in general and trustees of the fund in particular. “I am glad to associate myself with the remarks of the chairman (Mr E. Newman, C.M.G.) in paying tribute to the men and women working behind the scenes and whose contribution has in no small measure been responsible for the great success of .the under-*

taking. And if I may be permitted I should like specially to mention the services of Atr T. R. Lees, Managing Trustee. I want to make mention of the very great interest which my colleague, Hon. Air Langstone, has manifested in Flock House. How the Change Came “When the proposals regarding Fairbridge taking over part of the property first came before Cabinet it was due to suggestions made by him that the Prime Minister decided to appoint Mr Langstone and myself to prepare a report for Cabinet, and this report was finally adopted, and the result is this gathering to-day. Later on the Hon. Mr Fraser, Minister of Education, was associated with us aud helped considerably in the preparation of the final scheme. “In the future Flock House will be under the control of the Agriculture Department, but the Lands Department and Education Department will be iu close association with all the activities. The excellent work carried out at Flock House for the sons of British seamen and later for the sons of returned soldiers will form an excellent basis for training operations under Government control. The existing course covers all types of farming as well as tuition in farm carpentry, etc.” “Tho ultimate policy of tho Government is to extend opportunity for practical agricultural training to all young New Zealanders who intend to follow agricultural pursuits. We are not contemplating making any drastic changes from the policy which tho trustees have pursued. Training to be Extended. 4 ‘We propose, however, extending the training term from eight to twelve months, and the inclusion of tuition in simple bookkeeping methods, which must be regarded as a necessary adjunct to successful farming. We propose also to arrange lectures from time to time on Elementary Civics and other subjects, which will help our future farmers in their community life. We also hope that use may be made of the wealth of talent at Alassey College. The recreational aspect also will not be overlooked. We recognise that growing boys in their periods of leisure need a suitable outlet for their superabundant energy. To meet this need organised games such as cricket, football, and lik« sports will receive every encouragement. The apprenticeship scheme which hss been a feature of Flock House, by which, boys on completion of their training are placed as apprentices with selected farmers, will be continued and the extent to which the Government will assist suitabio young men to take up farming on their own account after completion of their apprenticeship is receiving consideration. 4 ‘ There is a further period which requires bridging because at 19 years of age few, if any, would be capable of going out on their own. We will be glad to discuss this with the trustees in. the light of the experience they have gained over the years. The vital importance of successful farming and successful farmers to the well-being of the Dominion is fully recognised by the Government, and we shall utilise this institution to the fullest extent in meeting the demands for the agricultural training of our future farmers.” 41 The present occasion is one of some sadness to the trustees of this fund and to myself as managing trustee in particular,” said Mr T. B. Lees, who wai the next speaker. Continuing, he said we cannot hand over this property and the organisation which we have built up and developed for nearly thirteen years, and which has been so close to our hearts, without n feeling of regret that we shall no longer be directing the work. That feeling of regret is increased by the knowledge that we are parting company with the members of the staff at Flock House, who have given such loyal help and service during those years, and whom w T e have come to esteem as personal friends. We are indeed glad for the sake of the organisation that the value of the staff has been recognised by the Government and that they are being retained, i know that they will give you the same earnest, loyal and valuable service that they have given to the trustees. Our feelings of regret are tempered by the knowledge that we are laying down a job that has been well done and one on which we can look back upon with the utmost satisfaction. “We Have trained and placed m employment on farms and stations nearly one thousand and lilty young people, in addition to the forty-five still in residence at Flock House to-day, and all these young people look back on then months at Flock House as among the happiest in their lives, and very many of them os the start of a prosperous career.

“Over seven hundred of these young people are our own wards, who can still look to the trustees for help and advice as long as the fund is in existence. Further, we are handing over to the Crown a very fine farming property, which we have greatly improved and developed on sound lines and which is capable of still greater development. Air Newman has refered to the greatly increased stock carrying capacity tf the station during the trustees’ years of management, and it is of interest to state that during the whole of that time, which includes five of the leanest years ever experienced in New Zealand for farming, the average gross profits of tho station have been over sß,ooo per annum. It is not too much to expect that, under similar competent management and development in the next twelve years the number of stock carried can bo again doubled and also the gross profits. The trustees are far from losing their interest iu Flock House although not now directing the management. We have naturally accumulated knowledge by trial and experience in regard both to the training of the boys and the development of the property. Many things which might appear to your officers at first sight to be an improvement may have been tried by us and discarded. I can assure you

that all the knowledge and experience which we have gained will be most freely placed at your service.” “The Old Order Changeth.” “In taking over Flock House officially for the Government, I desire once again to express our sincere thanks to you, sir, and your co-trustees for the splendid manner in which you have performed your duties and to assure jou that no effort will be lacking on our part, not only to preserve but extend the good name associated with Flock House,” said Hon. Lee Martin, replying to the chairman. “If Flock House proves its value as an agricultural training centre aa i have the utmost confidence it will do,” Mr. Lee Martin continued, “it may mean that further institutions of a similar nature will have to he established. That, however, is for future consideration, hut it does emphasise the necessity of proceeding upon sound lines so that the experience gained may he turned to the best advantage in meeting the national needs in connection with primary production.” Mr. Langstone’s Eulogy. Voicing his pleasure in participating in such an historic gathering and the change over of the trust, Mr. Lang stone said it was the unanimous opinion throughout the Dominion that Flock House had been of wonderful value to the economic life of the country. No words could portray the great service and labour of love of the chairman, nor the effect on the lives of those privileged to enter the institution. The establishment of Flock House had been an idea and ideal to which the trustees had given practical effect. The value of any individual was determined by his knowledge and how that knowledge was applied. Mr. J. Linklater, deputy-chairman, said while sad that a happy association had come to an end, he was glad the Government had seen fit to take over Flock House. It was necessary for such institutions to exist, for throughout the country it was difficult indeed

In formally taking over Tlock House Station, the Government has acquired Panning land ..6061 acres Afforestation land .. 2200 acres Sheep (including 6200 breeding ewes .. .. 12,223 Aberdeen Angus run cattle 1,084 Aberdeen Angus stud cattle 96 Dairy cattle .. •• .. 171 Pigs 98 Draught horses .... 19 Hacks 21 With all buildings, implements and plant as a going concern.

to get competent men to engage in farm work. The opportunity for such practical experience would bo a great factor in shaping the future farmers of New Zealand. Mr. Linklater added his tribute to his fellow trustees, to the services of Mr. Lees, and the noble work of the matron, Miss M. Samson, especially in caring for the boys who had come from overseas. Mr. A. H. Cockayne, Director-General of Agriculture, added his congratulations to the trustees on noble work nobly done. Now that the Government had taken over Flock House, the point he wished particularly to emphasise was that the ideals of the trustees were identical with the ideals of the Government. The trustees had shown how the work could be carried into practical effect and it was left for the department to carry on the good work. Every year 5000 boys went on the land, Mr. Cockayne continued. Flock House dealt with 50. But what about the others? That was the problem equally present in all agricultural countries. The speaker felt with Flock House New Zealand would be the first country to take up the real national responsibility of bringing the whole problem oi farm training more prominently than in the past. That was not the end of the responsibility Mr Cockayne continued and the larger problem of farm training was concerning his department, that it should not let down the ideals. He could assure the Trustees they would not be let down. Mr N. T. Lambourne, representing the Minister of Education (Hon. P. Fraser) associated himself with all that had been said by previous speakers in praise of the work done by the Trustees in training the boys for work on farms. In the course of his remarks Mr Lambourne stressed the fact that the time had come when groups of schools would have to be consolidated in order to give boys and girls in the country better opportunities to continue their education. The consolidation of schools removed a problem but the question arose what were they going to do to give the consolidated schools greater facilities to follow on. They would do a deal to induce farmers to remain on the land. There was no doubt whatever of the position agriculture would occupy in New Zealand for a long time, perhaps for all time. The foremost educationist ui England had said of agriculture in England—and it applied in greater force to New Zealand —that agriculture was still the most important of national industries. The department was interested not only in the progress made in the art and science of farming but in the advancement of physical and cultural development and would be pleased to co-operate and help make the training the best possible to give good farmers and valuable members of the community.

After Mr Newman had a word for the boys and had paid tribute to the assistance given by Air Ormond Wilson in the negotiation, cheers for the chairman and co-trustees and for Mr. Leo Martin 'deluded a memorable gathering