THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2006, 29 July 1880, Page 3

THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE.

TO THK SDITOB OP THH PBES3. Sie, —I was much pleased to see Mr A. C. Knight's letter published by you last week. I ean quite corroborate what he says as to the opinions generally held by the publio and their representatives in the late Provincial Council on the subject of endowing an agricultural schoal in Canterbury. I took a great interest in the matter at the time when the question was discussed of securing a permanent endowment for the purpose, and I know that it was a matter of congratulation amongst all farmers, when it was finally settled, that ample provision should be made for the future college by reserving 100,000 acres of fair land as an endowment. I wish I could add, now that the school is established, that the carrying out of the soheme is still a subject for congratulation to the same class, the farmers. On the contrary, it would seem that they are to be almost wholly debarred from taking advantage for their sons of the education which was supposed to be provided chiefly lor their benefit. That education, as Mr Knight shows, instead of being " practically free " is practically most expensive, and so placed out of reach to the very men in whose interest the scheme was first floated. It was hoped, and originally intended, that the school would be available for the sons of farmers of moderate means, who might wish to give their young men an opportunity of learning more of the theory and improved practice of farming than they could gain under the home management, and that so, in future year's, a number of intelligent young yeomen would on leaving tho school be distributed through the country, who would carry to their respective neighborhoods the knowledge they had acquired, and by an improved system of farming benefit themselves and those who chose to follow their example in the better treatment of the soil and the management of stock. Of course it was not supposed by those who held these views that the sons of the wealthy, whether farmers or of any other profession, were to be excluded, far from it; but it wa3 certainly not expected that all the exertions undertaken (and they have been great) for establishing an Agricultural College would end in providing accommodation and instruction for a score of young men whose fathers oan afford to pay a high price for those advantages. I maintain that the charges are Bimply prohibitive for the farmer of moderate means, whose sons all ought to wish to see at the school. What man farming say from 200 to 700 acres freehold or leasehold can afford to pay for one out of his perhaps several sons a sum of £4O per annum, with contingent expenses amounting to say £2O more, to keep him at the sohool, and lose at the same time his services at home, where he could be of great help on the farm. No prudent man of this class could think of doing bo ; and I venture to say that the attempt will be made by none. It is true the payment for work done may reduce these expenses somewhat, but only in a trifling degree, certainly not sufficiently to offer any inducement to the man of small means. Considering the magnitude of the undertaking, and the importance of it to the farming community generally, it is surprising how much apathy is shown in the matter by those whom it really most concerns. The farmers have their growl, and poke their bit of fun at the Board of Governors in a quiet way, but they do not show their minds plainly as to what they think on tho whole subject. It is evident however that there is a strong feeling of discontent with the present state of things. Allow me briefly to express what I believe is the opinion generally held by them. They consider that a grand institution has been established, supported by a splendid endowment, provided with a oapable and practical manager, whose views bb to the nature of the intended course of instruction please them, supplied with everything neoessary to render it a fit place for the education of at least a hundred young men farmers' sons, sleeping accommodation alone excepted. And they see all these advantages rendered virtually unattainable by them as a body, by the foolish attempt to make the school self-sup-porting. They look on the proceeds of the 100 000 acres endowment as belonging to the farming interest, just as much as the municipal endowments belong to the several municipalities, and that, therefore, they, the farmers, should have the right to elect the future Governors of the College where the funds have been and are to be expended, and that the whole management should be taken out of the hands of the hands of the " many masters " called the Board of Governors, Canterbury College, who have much other business to attend to, and who would therefore probably gladly be relieved of the responsibility. They consider the tying up of funds by putting money out on mortgage and so crippling the undertaking at its start, a mistake which has helped to prevent them from being able to take advantage of the practically free education which Bhould have been provided and which instead is only available for those who can pay highly for it. They think that the total charge for pupils should be about 10s per week of residence, part of whioh, or the whole, should be repaid to them according to the amount of work done, and the degree of good conduct reported by the manager. That additional accommodation (inexpensive if need be) should be provided, and the college should be made a popular

educational establishment for the benefit of farmers' sons and others, instead of the white elephant it is likely to become. When taking everything into consideration —interest of money, expense of management, &c.—each pupil will oost the country some £3OO per annum to educate. Again, they would wish to see a full statement of aooounts published shewing the total expenditure up to the present time on land, buildings, improvements, and implements, &o , and what the income hitherto has been, with an estimate of the annual working expenses of the institution. Now, I think that all these views are reasonable and such as the farmers have a right to express. I should like very much to see the matter fully discussed by the members of the Corn Exchange or of the several farmers' clubs, so that combined action might bo taken to endeavour- to secure success to an undertaking which now bids fair to become a great and costly failure. I am, &c, A. P. O'Oaliaghan. July 26th.