AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

King Country Chronicle, Volume VI, Issue 509, 16 October 1912, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

AN INTERESTING REPORT. A special sub committee was set up by the Auckland A. and P. Association some time ago to report on the subject of rural education. At a meeting of the association, held on Friday lasf", Mr E. Hall, on bshalf of the committee, read a lengthy report upon its deliberations.

The report made reference to the previous work of the association in this direciion in 1905, and to the discussions of the subject by the Farmers' Union Conference and the Dominion Conference of Agricultural Associations held in that year: The latter conference had passed resolutions urging—1. That to be effective the training for agricultural pursuits should commence in the primary schools. 2. That one of the first things to be done was the training of a certain number of teachers for the special work of rural education by short courses of instruction and by the appointment of travelling instructors for groups of schools, to give object lessons on the value, of school gardens and nature studies, and generally to help and advise the teachers on these subjects. 3. That tuition in country schools should be brought into closer relationship with the practical work of the farm, with special attention to the development of the powers of observation and of an insight into the fundamental principles of the science of agriculture and the management of stock.

4. That the best solution of the financial problem would be to try the consolidation of schools in suitable centres, where possible with free transport ot pupils, promoting efficiency of teaching, better classification of pupils, higher grade of inatrcution by better paid teachers, and a complete equipment of school buildings. Since 1905, the report stated, much nrogress had been made in Auckland in the matter of rural education, and

in the province there were over 150

schools at which the elements of agriculture were taught. A course of rural education was provided at the district high schools at Cambridge, Paeroa, Waihi, Onehunga, and Pukekohe, and at the Auckland Technical College. It was a source of much dsappointment that the Hamilton High School had not been established as an agricutlural high school. Still more required to be done, and the committee recommended that the following steps should be taken for the improvement of agricultural education n the province:—■ 1. The consolidation of small schools, where possible, involving the closing of a number of the smaller schools, the pupils nf which should be conveyed to a central school equipped for the teaching of agriculture, manual training, and domestic science, as well as the ordinary primary school curriculum. 2. The establishment of an agricultural col--of the highest type. In connection with this proposal, the province had been benefited by the legacy of £20,000 left by the late Sir John Campbell, for the founding of a chair of agriculture. This chair, the committee considered should be established, not at a city college but at an agricultural college in connection with an experimental farm. 3. The formation of an advisory committee of practical men, to work in conjunction with the experimental stations and farms of instruction, to ensure a more continuous policy with regard to their general work. 4. The organising of continuation classes and of short and practical agricultural courses. 5. The founding of agricultural scholarships.

Another point emphasised by the committee was the need for an up-to-date agricultural library in such a centre as Auckland. It was a vital necessity as a part of the educa tional provision; and the association could take the matter up independently of either the Government or the educational authorities. As it was in a financial position to do so, it should continue its present policy in extending its already fine library. Mr Hall was heartily thanked for having drafted so comprehensive and clear a document.

It was resolved that the report be printed and sent to the members of the general committe, who should meet specially to discuss it at a later date.

Copies of the resolutions arrived at by the committee are to be forwarded to the Minister for Education and to the Prime Minister as Minister for Agriculture.