THE AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2021, 16 August 1880, Page 3

THE AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.

TO THB EDITOB OP THE PBESS. SlB, —In your leading article of the 6th re agricultural school you express the opinion that correspondents on the subject have failed to prove that farmers of moderate means cannot take advantage of the education it offers to their children. If this has not been proved, time will do so, for I venture to say that after the school has been at work a twelve month there will not be two sons of honafide middle class farmers on its books. Since writing my letter of the 19th ultimo I have become acquainted with the fact that a large number of farmers are very much disappointed—to use a mild expression—with the management of the school, principally as regards the circular which you had before you when writing your leader, and I certainly fail to see how you prove from it that the school is placed within reach of those with moderate means. The actual payment, taking into account the possible drawback of £l6 or £25 per annum, is not in itself large, but parents with moderate means are not in a position to clothe and educate their sons up to twenty years of ago without receiving any quid pro quo. Those with families know there is a very great difference in the cost of clothing a sohool boy and a lad who has left school. As the Board of Governors recognise the justice of paying for work done by the pupils on the farm, why should not a fair value be paid, limiting it perhaps to the charge made—£4o a year. The lads it would be profitable for the colony to see there would surely do work enough to pay for their board —of course, I do not mean boys of fifteen, who would be bettor learning their lessons at a grammar school. I cannot see how this would it into what yon call a Charity School. Rugby was not considered a chanty school, but owing to its endowment those living in the town were educated at the school free. This agricultural school has an endowment said to be worth £6OOO a year even now, though it would be more satisfactory if the public were allowed some official information on the subject. And by law this can only bo used in connection with the School of Agriculture. There can be neither reason or justice in hoarding up this income, which cannot help strengthening the feeling that there is a disposition to appropriate it to some other purpose. I submit that the first step to take should be to fill the school with pupils, about which there ought to be no difficulty, considering that it has only accommodation for the ridiculously small number of twenty in a building which cost upwards of £12,000. Tho Governors however have not as yet been able to do this, though the income places it within their power if they choose. I suppose all profess to wish to see this school a success, therefore the chief object should bo to popularise the institution, and when oncojthat is done and large numbers attend it tho scale of charges, &e., could be re-arranged, so as to make it with the endowment selfsupporting. No doubt there are numbers well able to pay higher fees than those at present charged, but that is not the question. The endowment was given for tho maintenance of the school, so that all might derive benefit from it. There must be something faulty in the management when twenty boarders cannot be obtained in Canterbury, and the Governors have to ask for pupils from North and South by promising to p\y their travelling expenses. Anyone may assert that higher education should not be furnished free of charge, but it is nevertheless. There is not a high school in Canterbury that protends to be self-support-ing. The professors, as a rule, get £6OO a year, besides, I believe, some small fees from the pupils ; and how are their salaries paid, except by taxes raised from the people ? Of course, I am speaking under correction, for since abolition wo are more or lees in a fog respecting the details of this public expenditure. I trust you will acquit me of any desire to enter into a newspaper controversy. My apology for offering these remarks must be the great interest I have from the very first taken in the establishment of a school of agriculture, and my disappointment at the direction in which it appears to be drifting. Yours, &j., A. 0. Knight. Tekau, August 9th.