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Hokitika Guardian, 24 May 1922, Page 2

The Canterbury visitors n.sseci .teil with the Winter School last week, returned lionu* witn the feeling that the effort was quite worth while. The suggestion has been put forward that with the recent experience it would be well to remodel th,. School for next year on lines to meet the more immediate requirements of the district. The farmers’ side will be more elaborated and special attention devoted to veterinary instruction. If possible two instructors will be secured and greater information given in regard to practical training. The demonstrations with stoou would take place in the town or adjacent thereto, as being mine central for all concerned. Also with regard to mining it has been suggested that a series of geological lectures might be included in the course with the object of interesting the younger generation in the mineral deposits of the Const. The lectures in regard to pastures it is proposed should ho extended considerably. It is recognised that in a rising dairying district such ns this, which has such prospects for pastoral pursuits, that tho study of pastures should become more intensive, and the |>fijt lecturer* 'vj’.l he

In regard to the direction and regulation of the School by Professor Shelley and his immediate College Staff, no improvement can he suggested end U is hoped these professors will be with us again giving us the benefit of their wide reading and deep thinking. The intellectual refreshment brought to us through that channel has been very great'and the return of the professors will be a guarantee for the repeated success of the English section of the Sichool

The County Council to-day is going ! into finance affecting the allocation of | revenue for the tilling expenditure, and also determining the amount of the , new rate to be struck in July. The Tieasurer's report in this issue leviews 1 the position and points out the need for a strong finance this year fo comply with the terms of the Local Bodies Finance Act, which requires all local bodies to live within thr-ir revenue each year. The act it would appear will present many difficulties in different districts, and for this year at least will force tip the local rate, till there Is time to analyse results from the -new ' valuation, and to watch the new system under which various Biding roads have been mu verted into main roads, and are thereby a relief to the local district ex| enditure. Some of the Ridings in the past exceeded considerably the allocation for road maintenance, but with the chief roads declared main roils there should be the chance to live within the means available from year to year. If not, it is pointed out the alternative will lie differential rating in the separate Ridings. Thus one Riding ; might only lie called upon to pay four ' fan lings, another six anil another : eight, instead of all three being on a ' uniform basis. This contingency will have to be considered at the end of tho I present financial year, when tho first term of the experimental period will 1 show to what extent the new form i f ! administration works. Meantime from ! this year a uniform rate of eight farthI mgs in the .£ on capital value is proI posed to lie struck, which is a decline i of a farthing per £ on Inst year’s rate.