TRAINING FARM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 25 September 1942, Page 2

TRAINING FARM

EARLY USE FOR RETURNED MEN LIKELY - INSPECTION BY REHABILITATION BOARD. AREA CONSIDERED SUITABLE. The Wairarapa Training Farm property at Penrose is likely to be used in the near future for the training of returned service men. A visit of inspection was made by members of the Rehabilitation Board this week. The board / members were met by the Trustees and by Mr Ben Roberts, M.P. The party made a detailed survey of the property and were entertained at afternoon tea by Mr and Mrs Blatchford.

A welcome was extended to the visitors by Mr Duncan McGregor, who traced the work of the Trustees since the inception of the Training Farm following the last war. He said the Trustees were proud of the results achieved at the farm and were fortunate in its management. The splendid condition in which they found tne area was due solely to the efficient management of Mr Blatchford. Members were probably aware that the area was a gift for training returned men and in the interval since the last war what little educational value could be achieved in the training of youths during the depression period, and later of students from Wairarapa College had been carried out under the supervision of Mr Blatchford, who had proved that in addition to his expert knowledge of stud stock and general farming he had a natural aptitude in imparting knowledge. Mr Moohan, chairman of the Rehabilitation Board, said that since the Trustees had offered the area to the board, considerable discussion had taken place and he could assure the Trustees that they would be glad to take advantage of the offer to rehabilitate the men in farming pursuits. The board had already asked the National Service Department to supply it with a list of young men suitable for training. The board would be very happy to do something for such men, but it was anxious to make a good selection for a start. It would be obvious to all that it was essential that these men should learn something and i not have a holiday and from what he I had seen the farm was eminently suitable for the purpose in view. The condition and appointments of the farm were an eyeopener to him. So far as 'the board were concerned it would be pleased to take advantage of the farm’s possibilities and would be glad to discuss with the Trustees further procedure in connection 'with rehabilitation. , . Mr E. L. Cullen, M.P. (HawkejS Bay) a member of the Rehabilitation Board, congratulated the Trustees on the magnificent layout of the property. He could see that a lot of work had been done and there was still a lot to be done in draining and improving the wetter areas on the farm. He congratulated the manager on the condition of the stock, particularly the young sheep on the farm. In formulating a scheme of training for returned men he would ask the Trustees to keep in view, more particularly diversified farming, to include pig breeding and poultry raising. The scheme of settling men on the land today was entirely different from that following the last war and it was probably to bo found that older men would wish to take up similar areas in which a knowledge of pig raising and of poultry farming would be of considerable advantage. Another member of the board, Mrs MacDonald, added her congratulations to those of previous speakers and stated that her interests were more towards the domestic side of the scheme. She hoped the Trustees would not stmt their expenditure when considering the domestic facilities. She would like to see an up-to-date kitchen with electric equipment for carrying out the 'work, suitable bins for stores, etc., ana a Everyone would, xealise that the smooth running of the kitchen. tended to keep all other matters limning smoothly. Stating that he was pleased to welcome the party to his electorate, M Roberts said they had the means in this district of doing something for the benefit of returned soldiers. He was sure the farm' was an ideal place the training of the men and he hoped the scheme would go forward at an early date. He felt assured that it would be a success.