LADS FOR FARMS.

Pukekohe & Waiuku Times, Volume 3, Issue 164, 23 January 1914, Page 4

LADS FOR FARMS.

Fifty-one From England. The 51 Briti.h boys brcujht out by the Immigration Department fa farm work in the Dominion arrived in Auckland by tl-e Ayrshire from Liverpool on Tuesday mornirg. The lads, who cam 3 out under the charge of Sergeant-Majcr W. H. Cooper, were assemhkd on dock and briefly addressed by the Minister for Internal A Hairs (tha Hon. H. D. bell) on their duties and responsibilities in their future career. Mr Bell dso answered several questions put to him by tne boys, who brougn: the little ceremony to a conclusion by giving three cheers for the Minister and for the sergeant-major.

Each boy proceeds immediately to work. Four of them go to Whakatane, ore to To Aroha, one to Otahuhu, one to Ruawai, and one to Whangarei, while the remaining 43, left for the Scuth by the main Trunk express on Tuesday nitfbt. Seventeen of the lads were to be dropped at stations en route, and the ramawder went right through to Wellington. Twenty-two were then to go on direct to Lyttriton, while fair waited at Wellington for other connections to the ocuth Island. Forty-four of the young immigrants came from England (mostly from the southern counties), six from .Ireland, and one from Scotland. All were stalwart of frame and cf sound physique, and gave every promise of being the right stamp tf country-bred colonist. Their average weight ia 1201bs, the heaviest being 1701b and the lightest 1001b. Most of them are experienced in agricultural work, and many in the handling of cattle. The majoiity are youths of 19 and 20, rather than boys. They showed a fine spirit on the voyage out, several volunteering for work in the stokehold, and all taking thejr share of the work entailed in preparing their own meals, etc. These services were rendered quite voluntarily, the sergeant-major in charge speaking in high terms of their exemplary conduct throughout the trip. SergeantMajor Cooper took charge of the young immigrants at Euston station, London, and embarked with them at Liverpool on November 22nd. The youths enjjyed the passage out, though, to their way of thinking, it was rather rough. They displayed keen interest in the ship's spoit3, which extended over about two weeks, and the fact that there'are some gocd athletes in their ranks was £proven by them winningjjthe boxing and wrestling events and most of the first prizes. One lad named Joy carried off five first prizes. One or two of the elder youths expreEsed some discontent on learning that their prospective employers were only bound to pay them 7s 6d per week in wages for the first year of their employment. They stated that prior to leaving the Old Country 7s 6d was named as the lowest figure to be paid, but that there was an alternative of "or according to ability'' named to them. It Is not anticipated by the majority, however, that there will be any failure en the part of the employing farmers to recognise ability. There are amongst the party one cr two youths of 20 with five or six years' experience on farms. The Minister, when questioned by a reporter concerning the complaint as to wages, declined to make a statement on the subject.