Farmers in the Making

Te Ao Hou, August 1957, Page 28

Farmers in the Making When they left home their feelings were mixed: Behind them they were leaving their families, their homes and their friends for the unknown. Would there be many pitfalls ahead; would the work be too exacting; would they be able to cope, and so fulfill not only their own ambitions and hopes, but also the confidence their people placed in them? These were the thoughts of some. Those selected for training saw their opportunity. At home they had no chance of owning farms. With the exception of a few, who probably helped their fathers milk a few cows, the majority were dependent upon working for the European for a livelihood, with much of the work being seasonal. Only a few had permanent jobs as sharemilkers, shepherds, farm labourers or truck drivers. Employment consisted mainly of shearing and crutching, helping with dipping, fencing, drain-digging, or scrub-cutting. (Continued on page 50) With a high producing herd (over 17,000 Ibs butterfat) Mr George Ahipene, who came to Pouakani from the Wairarapa in 1954, is still constantly seeking ways of improving the yield of his herd, (Forestry Service Photograph.)