RURAL EDUCATION

Hokitika Guardian, 18 April 1921, Page 4

RURAL EDUCATION

MOVEMENT TO REVIVE LOCAL j INTEREST. A movement convened by the Westland Progress League was held at 3 o’ccloclc on Saturday afternoon to discuss matters in regard to-rural education. Mr R. Houliston of Ivoiterangi was voted to the chair, and formally opened the meeting, about a dozen peo- , pie being present. ; Mr A .0. Pilkington apologised for j the absence of Messrs B. Ward and W. , J. Butler, and went on to explain t ie j object of the meeting. The objects of j the League were wide, and the League j was glad to seize on any opportunity ■ to promote the interests of the district, j Th o Progress League was disposed to , act as the propelling power fbr any j local movement, which the members j were anxious at all times to prompt i and guide. The present intention was j Ito seek to establish farmers’ bureaux j throughout the district. These would j bo constituted by local residents, and j regular meetings and discussions would j be held to consider matters of interest | to the pastoral and agricultural pur- j suits. Instructions would be available j at intervals to assist in the different | settlements. With regard to dairying, | it was proposed to establish cow testing associations, and tho replacing of inferior cows with more bountiful producers. There was the question also of establishing boys’ clubs in tho settlement districts to take up agricultural work. Parents could assist in this direction by allocating an area to thensons for purposes of experimental production. It was, also, desired to seo ' the annual agricultural shows revived in the district, so as to demonstrate | the resources of the county. The A. and P. Association could assist very | materially in tho work proposed by undertaking competitions in various matI ters, including cropping and stock conI dition. The Association could do useful supervision in regard to these undertakings. Then thero was the proposal to establish a winter farmers’ school at Lincoln College, This was being organised by the parent body—the Canterbury Progress League—and it was hoped would be open to Westland students. Messrs Ridley, of the Canterbury Education Board, and Dalgleish, of the Government Fields Department, were present, and would be able to afford tho meeting further information. Mr T. W. Bruce (Progress League) said tho League did not presume to dictate to tho farmers, but to suggest and offer to organise a movement for tho betterment of the fanning conditions of the district. 11 as an outcome of the meeting something definite on the lines suggested by Mr Pilkington was inaugurated, the aim of the League would be accomplished. It was proposed that the lectures etc should be given in the country to the settlers, and not , expect them to come into town for the instruction. Hon TL L. Michel M.L.C. thought tho work proposed might well he taken up by the A. and !’. Association. It was works essentially within tin* grasp of such, a body. He favoured a revival of the annual A. and P. Show, and said the conditions had very much improved since the former days when shows were held successfully under rather difficult circumstances. In former times the Association held cow testing competitions and these should be revived, if assistance were required from the townspeople, Mr .Michel lelt sure a local committee could be set up to co-operate in carrying through the annual exhibitions. As regards the lectures, ho (Mr Michel) was of opinion professors from Canterbury would come over and meet tho people in different centres, which perhaps would do better than a farm school, where the attendance would be limited. Personally lie did not think a new body was needed for the purpose outlined, when the A. and P. Society was in existence, and hoped the matter would be developed on those lines.

Mr Houliston said war conditions bad stopped the shows, and since then the A. and P. Society had been mainly interested in the production of lime. He was pleased at tilts interest taken iii the matter by the Progress League. Kokatahi was the present headquarters of the Society. Mr D. J. Evans approved of the proposal made by Hon Michel, and said if the farmers through the Association took action, lie (Mr Evans) felt sure the townspeople would co-oper-ate. The assistance had been forthcoming in the past, and if the opportunity served would he available again. Mr G. S. Ridley said liis experience was that the farmers generally had a good knowledge of their conditions and requirements. Personally lie was willing to do all in his power to advance tlie agricultural interests of the district.

Mr C. S. Dalgleish complimented the League on its activities. He favoured bureaux work as of great instruction to the farmers. Tho farm school had proved of great advantage in the North Island. Tho cow testing movement was highly essential and should he taken up by tho farmers.

Hon Michel moved that with the view of furthering flio agricultural and pastoral interests of the district, the A. and P. Society be asked to take up the work outlined, including the revival of the annual shows, arul that the meeting pledges those present to assist in every way. Mr Michel said if abeginning were made on these lines, the other matters could bo taken up. Mr Pilkington (seconded, believing that tho A. and P. Society was the right channel through which to proceed.

Mr Ridley supported the motion, which was carried. Mr Houliston said the A. and P. Society would meet that evening at Kokatahi, and he would have pleasure in conveying the decision to the Society, and ascertain the members’ views.

Mr Pilkington moved that as a means of reviving the annual exhibition fixture, sub-comittees ho formed in tho various settlement districts to co-oporaie also with the A. and P. Society. Mr Bruce seconded. The subcommittee could take tip also, the other activties for the fanning interests. — Carried.

Votes of thanks were passed to the Chairman, Mr Ridley and Mr Dalgliesh for their assistance. The meeting concluded at 4.20 p.m.