T.B.'S ON THE LAND.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 37, 26 November 1920, Page 10

T.B.'S ON THE LAND.

FARM COLONY IN N.S.W. "Mountain Mists," a little magazine published by the T.B. convalescent soldiers, of Boriington, New South W7aLes, gives the following facts of the Griffith Farm Colony scheme, which is being undertaken by the Red Cross Society cn -ehalf of the T.B. soldiers. The idea of tlie Society is that men suffering from T.B. an'd who have had a certain amount of hospital treatment, and who have so f ar progressed as to be no long.er infectious, shall, as a sort of continuation of thcir treatment, be given an opportunity to further irnprove their health in a good climate and amid ccngenial surroundings^ and at the same time fit themselves for firm re-estafclishment in civil life. The colony is within oue mile of the railway station, and is protected from the prevailing winds by a chain of low ranges. The soil is 1'ght and loamy, and the locality is in the heart of the Murray or Cyprus Pine country. The property is divided into tvvo equal parts by the irrigation channel ; the lower part will be devoted to intense cultivation, and the ba-'ance will be occupied by buildings and dry farming. A comfortahle barracks to accornmodate single men is now being constructed. -x medical officer and nursing staff will reside in the colony. Hospital accommcda. tion will be provided, and there will be a school and recreation hall. The area of the colony will ^e approximately 100 acres, 53 of which will be irrigable. — F i n ancia 1 Ar r ang eme n t s . — While an inmate of the colony, the Repatriation Department guarantess to make the ex-soldier's pension up to the following scale : — s. d. (a.) Soldier without dependants, a weekly income, inclusive of pension, of 42 0 (b.) Soldier with wife, weekly income, inclusive of their combin,ed pensions, of 62 0 (c.) Soldier and wife and one child, weekly income, inclusive of combined pensions, of 65- 6 (d.) Soldier and wife and two children 59 0 (e.) Soldier and wife and three cliildren 62 6 (f.) Soldier and wife and four or more children 66 0 The hours of work on the farm will be under medical direction, according to the state of each man',s health, and payment will he made on an hourly basis. The rate is not yet fixed, but the Society may be trusted to do what is fair to the men. A sirgle man will be charged 15s per week for board and lodgings, and a married man will be charged a reasonable rent for the fuvriished cottage supplied by the Society. Every little detail has been studied in the interests of the wives of the men. and includes baths, laundries and even a stor,e at which goods can v>e purchased at cost price. The Water Conservation and Irrigation Commission has decided to reserve a small area with a viyw to farrr.s being granted to soldiers, who, aftcr passin.g through the Farm Colony, are able to satisfy certain condititons, the c-hief of which are : — 1. — A medically fit certificate from the R.M.O. 2. — Certiocat.e from the farm manager that tl)e applicant is a capable and willing wcrker. 3. — Six montlis* satisfactory service at the colony. 4. That the Resident Commissioner shali be saiisfied that the applicant is likeIv to make a satisfactory settler. It is not necessary, however, for ever :y man to coutemplato taking up land of his own. Any T.B. fulfilling the conditions can go through a course at the Farm Colony to complete his restoration to health. There is always plenty of work available in the district, and any man not vvishirrg to take up land would be reasonably certain of suitable employment in the sarne good climate and in the same district.