RURAL TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

Gisborne Times, Volume XIX, Issue 1651, 18 January 1906, Page 3

RURAL TECHNICAL EDUCATION.

GENERAL SUBJECTS.

important conference

FARMERS’ UNION AND HIGH

SCHOOL BOARD.

A meeting of the Provincial Executive of the Farmers’ Union was held yesterday afternoon, there being present: Messrs W. K- Chambers (President), A. ET. Wallis, A. R- WetsoD, W. F. Somerville, H. H. Wall, and W. Lissant Clayton, A deputation was reoeived from the High School Board of Governors regarding a soheme for rural technical education, whiob had been a good deal under disous- I sion by the Executive, and on whioh Mr Morgan had delivered ieotures throughout the oouotry. The Board was represented by Messrs 0- A. DeLautour and W. Morgan. The former intimated that if the Farmers' Union were willing to guarantee another £SO, supplementing a similar amount granted by the Cook County Council, they considered that the Board would be justified in taking up the soheme. He quite recognised that with a soheme of the kind they would only get supported after it was inaugurated ; but he thought it would soon prove itself, and that the High School Board of Governors would feel justified in taking the step, and engage a leoturer. to_ go through the district teaching subjects connected with rural technical education, starting with dairying and its adjuncts. Tho ideawai that until the scheme was developed sufficiently to become self-sup-porting tbe 00-operation of the Government should be secured to employ the teaober the High Sohool Board had in view as a grader for a portion of his time, thus enabling a thoroughly efficient man

to bo obtained. Hia services as a grader would be a great benefit to the whole district, and be would still' have sufficient time at bis disposal to teach those who wished to learn the technical part of the business. In regard to fees Mr Morgan suggested that the oharge should be 5s for a series of ten lessons of two hours eaoh, and Mr Clayton suggested that the fees might be increased and rebate given to pupils attending a certain number of leotures, thus making the foes lighter to those who took a thorough interest in the subject. Mr Morgan, referred to the fact that dairying was the first subject to be introduced—that bad already been decided by the provincial executive, as being the subject in which the majority of farmers were interested.

General discussion ensued, in which Messrs Watson, Chambers and Somerville .took part, suggestions being made that the dairy factories should be asked to give assistance, as the work would be to their benefit, and likewise that the A. and P. Society should be approached for support. The secretary was instrue'ed to write to the Government on the lines of leltsrs already sent by tbe High Schcol Board. The deputation then withdrew after thanking members of the Executive. The subject was then further discussed, and Mr Wall proposed that the Executive guarantee the sum of £SO to the High School Board towards the promotion of the scheme of instruction in rural education. The motion was seconded by Mr W. E. Somerville and carried. Mr Wallis proposed that the looal dairy factories end the A. and P. Association be asked to contribute towards the guarantee fund, aud that all branches be asked to collect subscriptions from ail residents interested in dairying, etc. This was seconded by the President and carred,

The Executive then went on to deal with other business, a good deal of correspondence being considered. The Seorelary of the Waikato pVnms’ Club wrote: “lam directed to forward a copy of the following resolution, and to ask your co-operation in the matter: ‘ That the Wa'kato Farmers’ Club is of opinion tnat the early completion of the road between Rotorua and Gisborne is absolutely essentia! to the welfare of the Auckland province, and that the Government ba urged to place a sufficient sum upon the estimates this session to complete the work.’,,” The resolution was approved of. Mr ADgus J... McCurdy, Colonial Secretiry of the Union, wrote afatiDg that he would be glad to have the remits,for the Colonial. Council in Christchurch on November Bib, also the name of the delegate. He added : “ You will be pleased to know that oeitain oounties in We'liogton and Nelson districts have been gazetted districts in whioh the experimental oolleotion of agricultural statistics will be held. If successful the system will be extended to other districts. Braoohes in the districts gazetted are being urged to do their utmost to bring about a successful result.” The foregoing letter had been dealt with by the Secretary. Mr David Fleming, Inspector of Stick, forwarded circulars on po'ato blight, and had bean supplied with the names of branches so that he oould distribute an additional supply of circulars when they arrived.

Tho resolution of the North Caoteroury Executive regarding the premature proposal to impose prohibitive Customs duties was rend. It had. been dealt with by the Colonial Conference. Mr McOurdy, Colonial Secretary, wrote stating that the headquarters of the Union had bson removed from Palmerston North to Wellington, his postal address being box 327. He asked that as far as possible all correspondence should be forwarded to him direct, and any matters requiring reference to the Colonial President would be sent on to him without delay, together with such riforences that would enable b

m to deal with them with the minimum encroachment upon bis time. Any information required from Government Departments would bo immediately attended to. Articles upon matters suggested by Provincial Executives would bo furnished, with the Colonial President’s approval endorsed thereon. Ho would be pioased to rective advice of deputations of farmers, or branch secretaries or chairmen going to Wellington. It was specially desired that members of the Union visiting Wellington shou’d call at the head, cffic?, recording their presenoe, and so enabling members frdm varioue parts of the colony to be brought into toytob with one another. The Department of Agriculture replied to a request for another veterinarian to be located in this district, that “ The appointment of veterinarians for purely local services was a matter for thestookownsrs of the district. Tho Government voterinaiian caohot undertake to attend all oasts when called upon. In oases oi emergency, if available, they wil 1 , however, be pleased to assist.”—Receivnd. It was deoldtd to ogoin write to the Hawke’s Bay Farmers’ Union oekmg U

they were disposed to 00-operate with this | district in the Farmers' Mutual Fire In* auranoo aoheme, and asking for details of the scheme. The Motu branoh wrote forwarding a list of r( about a dozen members who desired to booomo students in tho rural technical education soheme, and adding that tho list Would bo fu thor supplemented.