STUDY OF AGRICULTURE

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 7, Issue 1, 24 August 1943, Page 8

STUDY OF AGRICULTURE

«. PROPOSED JUNIOR COLLEGE LOCATION IN AUCKLAND The question of a junior agricultural college in Auckland Avas brought before the Auckland Provincial Executive, of the New Zealand Farmers' Union at its meeting on August 18, Avhcn a circular letter on the subject was received "from the Secretary of the Seddon Memorial Technical Co'llege, Mr G. J. Park. The letter suggested, tha't the Audkland Education Board, Grammar School Board, A. and P. Association, the Farmers' Union, the Departments of Education and Agriculture and the Technical College Board should jointly consider, the practicability of taking action in the matter. Mr Park said that the Technical College Board had in hand about £2,000, dcriA r ed from cndoAvment. revenue. This could be applied to the purpose stated. The raising of the compulsory school 15 years seemed to be an appropriate time for action, and this change would increase the pressure, on post-prim-ary .school accommodation. It Avas likel}- that many of, the boys Avhose school attendance Avould thus be extended avouUl desire to become farmers. The Education Department, in any case, Avould need to expend money on buildings, and it seemed that the proposed junior agricultural school could be established more easily at present than at any other time in the near future. The Technical College Board, said Mr Park, had been negotiating, prior to 1938, with the St. JohnT» College Trust Board, concerning the acquisition of land of a probable area of about 75 acres adjoining the Remuera tramway terminus. Steps might be taken to ascertain whether this land Avas still available, and other rekwant matters might be discussed. It Avas as'kcd that if the Farmers' Union Executive Avas favourable to the project it should appoint, two representatives to a meeting of the bodies enumerated, Avith some co-opted person with special experience, to discuss the proposal. Mr A. T.- Dow (Assistant Secretary) said that the matter had been before the Vocational Guidance Committee, Avhich was still in the inaugural stage. The President and Mr Dow Avcre appointed to represent the Executive, at. the conference of the interested bodies.