FARM SCHOOL.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4569, 28 May 1923, Page 1

FARM SCHOOL.

TO BE ESTABLISHED AT RUAKURA ANNOUNCEMENT BY MINISTER. The Hon. W. Nosworthy ,Minister for Agriculture, speaking at Pukekohe last week, said-.that there had been criticism of the Government’s administration in regard to agricultural education. No matter how much the Government nyght have desired to push on with the work of agricultural education, it would have been impossible to have done more in the financial circumstances prevailing since 1914. However, the Government recognised the value of agricultural instruction, and was proposing now to make a start with an agricultural farm school at Ruakura. Certain details were yet to be settled, but they would be able to start very soon and take about 20 boys of 16 years of age and over, and later be able to accommodate another 20. But, as with other systems, agricultural education could not be got for nothing, and it was proposed to start with a fee of not less than £36 a year for instruction. He congratulated the Auckland province in at least attaining this desired benefit tc the farming community and the country at large. This announcement, of the Minister is viewed with great satisfaction by the Auckland Agricultural Education Committee, a body representative of the whole province. This committee has for the past year been exceedingly active in pressing upon the Prime Minister and the Minister for Agriculture the urgent need fbr the establishment of a farm school at Ruakura.

It is probable that 20 boys will be enrolled at once and another 20 boys in six months’ time. The course will be for two years, and the greater part of the time will be engaged in practical farm work, the remainder being given to cultural and agricultural science training, and working 'n wood and metal. The instruction in woodwork and metalwork and some of the agricultural science training will probably be taken at the Hamilton Technical School.

The Agricultural Education Committee is very hopeful of getting the necessary financial aid to enable the Auckland University College Council to establish a Lectureship in Agriculture at the Auckland University. The Hon. Arthur Myers has promised £lOO yearly for three years, and the Auckland Education Board has promised another £lOO yearly for three years. AH donations, excepting that of the Education Board, will carry a subsidy from the Government.