LINCOLN COLLEGE EX-STUDENTS.

Press, Volume LXVI, Issue 20107, 10 December 1930, Page 10

LINCOLN COLLEGE EX-STUDENTS.

GOVERNOR GENERAL'S MEDAL. MR H. A. KNIGHT RECOMMENDED Mr 11. A. Knight, a member of the Hoard of Governors of tin- Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, and the first student to be enrolled ut, the College, at its inception in ISSO, lias been recommended by the Hoard for the award of the gold medal for distinguished ex-students, which lias been given by the Governor-General, Lord Hledisloc. His Excellency expressed his intention several months ago 0 f giving the medal, and since then conditions governing its award have been drawn up and submitted to lsim. Mr Knight's nomination makes him the lirst to receive the honour. The recommendation was made at the meeting of the College Hoard of Gov ernors, yesterday, when the Board was unanimous in the opinion that Mr Knight stood out as the one who should i.e given the medal. The chairman, the Hon. D. iiuddo, M.L.C., offered Mr Knight the congratulations of the Hoard, expressing appreciation of the many services given by him to the agricultural and pastoral community, lie had done splendid service, said Mr ISuddo. Mr Knight replied, thanking the Hoard for their appreciation of the services he lind given.

If the medal is ready in time, it will be presented to Mr Knight on Farmers' Day, which is to be held at Lincoln College on Tuesday next. Conditions of Award. The conditions governing tho award are as follows: The medal to be offered to exstudents of the Canterbury Agricultural College who hold the College Diploma or the degree of H.Agr. or H.Agr.Sc. An ex-student, to qualify: (1) Must have been, over a period of years, a successful farmer, showing that his course at the College lias enabled liirn to develop his farm to the best advantage. That his presence in the district in which he farms has raised the standard of fanning, and that he has taken a keen interest in district affairs, especially in the advancement of agriculture in the Dominion. Or (2) That he has successfully introduced new varieties of farm crops, or better methods of production and utilisation of farm crops. Or (.!) That he has been a noted success in breeding or introducing stud stock. Or (4) That ho has . been distinguished as a research worker or agricultural instructor. Or (5) That lie has gained academic distinction following his College course and as a direct result of that course, or that he lias performed notcworthv public service. The medal ,ha!l be awarded each year or at longer intervals at the discretion of the Hoard. In the event of the medal being not awarded in any year, the Hoard to have powers at their discretion to make two awards in a subsequent year should the occasion arise. Mr Knight's Career. Air Knight joiner] the Canterbury Agricultural College in ISSO, and left in ISS;i, when he went to England for a year, fn JBBS he joined his step-father in the conduct of the farm at Racecourse Hill. On his step-father's death Mr Knight carried on, eventually becoming owner of the property. In'those days a great deal of cropping was done, mainly of wheat and oats, and prices were then far worse than they are to-day. Mr Knight regards Racecourse Hill as his one and only home. The greater part of the original estate has been sold, and a number of employees have been settled on it. He leased them the land to start with, complete with buildings, and at the end of the leases they acquired the freehold of the farms. In every case the new owner has been successful. Mr Kniglu assisted towards this result, realising that in order to settle people properly on the land they must be given "a thoroughly good start. Mr Knight was the first farmer to introduce solid straw Tuscan wheat to (.anterbury, and over GO per cent. of the wheat now grown in the South Island is solid straw Tuscan. lie has always maintained n keen interest in the affairs of Lincoln College. Ho was a member of tho Board of Governors for many years, and chairman for II years from 1915 to 1920. 11 0 i s still a "mem-' her. lie has not i een actively interested in political matters, but was chairman of the Malvern County Council for fifteen years from its inception, after commencing with the old Road Hoard which was merged into the county in 1911. On the business side he has been chairman of the Board of Directors of the N.Z. Refrigerating Co., Ltd., for tho last 11 years. lie is very well known as the owner of the famous racehorse Limerick, and in the sportine world generally, being one o£ the oldest if not the senior steward, of tho Canterbury Joclcey Club. He has been chairman of the committee for tho Inst two years. Mr Knight is still farming at Racecourse Hill, and frequently gives demonstrations of his Southdown and English Leicester etude, and cxperimental work in connexion therewith Mr Knight received his earlv' education at Christ's College.