A MINISTER'S EMBARRASSMENTS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 225, 16 June 1908, Page 3

A MINISTER'S EMBARRASSMENTS.

GIFTS—WITH STIPULATIONS. MR. WHEELER'S ROMNEYS. It is reported (says our Ecilding correspondent) that tho offer of a selection from Mr. G. C. Wheeler's stud of Romney sheep for a Government experiment station was mado contingent upon the establishment of an agricultural college, and, therefore, as there is no college, no sheep have yet been handed ovor. Tho Hon. R. M'Nab is not without his embarrassments in tho midst of the showers of gifts which his Stat-o stud scheme has brought down. Mr. Wheeler's proposal is tho socond that fits that description. Tho first was Mr. W. C. Buchanan's offer of £1000 to provide a valuable herd of pedigree cattle, the gift bearing a tag which earmarked tho animals for a Wairarapa experiment farm, foV establishing which Mr. Buchanan tendered a further sum of £5000. Tho'offer, handsome as it was, has, so far, been declined because it would cost tho Government £2500 a year to maintain the farm, which it is considered Wairarapa does not urgently need.

Mr. Wheeler's stipulation reminds one of tho time, a fow months back, when the farming centres of tho Island were involved in the battle.of tho dairy school site. Keilding then wanted not only the dairy school, biit an agricultural college also.lt lost tho dairy school. Apparently, Mr. Wheeler desires that it shall not also lose tho agricultural college. It is understood Mr. Wheeler's offer was mado to the Hon. R. M'Nab somotime ago, but tho Minister could not be induced to accept the stipulation, even by tho beautiful Ronuieys that Mr. Wheeler possesses. Tho flock that oontains the champion ram .Royalist, and his confrere Loyalist, rncst have many magnificent young animals that would improvo the State flocks.