MAGNIFICENT SERVICE

New Zealand Times, Volume LIII, Issue 12615, 27 November 1926, Page 4

MAGNIFICENT SERVICE

FLOCK HOUSE ESTATE TRAINING YOUNG FARMERS. A tribute was paid by the Hon. R. F. Bollard, Minister for Internal Affairs, yesterday to the training the hoys and girls from overseas were receiving at Flock House—those two excellent institutions in the Rangitikei and Manawatu districts in which young people who lost their fathers in the ships that foundered during tlie Great "War are admitted. “I was glad of tho opportunity given to me bv tho Hon. Mr Newman, M.L.0.. and chairman of tho trustees.” said Mr Bollard, “to Tisit the institutions. There is no doubt that a very fine work is being carried out io the benefit of these young jieoplo from abroad whose fathers rendered much magnificent service to the Empire in the time of its great trial. I found that the hoys and girls are bcinir taught all the things they should know on n farm, and their keenness to grasn tho essentials of a new life is good to soe. “When one knows that these bov=and girls are all taken from the great English cities abroad, many without any knowledge at all of country life, nothing but appreciation can be expressed of their adaptibility to the biochange in their lives. I had some pleasant talks with the boys and girlat both institutions. They were alt enthusiastic in praise of their new life and all wanted to make good. I saw much of their work and very good it was. Tho girls have taken to dairying and poultry-raising readilv. and it pleases a visitor to detect their enthusiasm.

“It was plain to me that in walking over the paddocks of crops and inspecting the buildings that tho trustees of the institutions were providing tlie hoys ami girls with a splendid foundation for their future careers in this country. That is the main purpose of the work the trustees have set themselves, and they merit all tho commendation and encouragement they have received.”