AGRICULTURAL BIAS

Rotorua Morning Post, Issue 2, 25 August 1931, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL BIAS

SITES DISCUSSED PRELIMINARY PLANS FOR HIGH SCHOOL SCHEME. MR. HARDCASTLE'S OFFER. & '■ In the belief that an agricultural training, which will ineulcate a desire to follow farming pursuits, is the most practical solution of the country's present difficulties, the Rotorua High School Board of Governors is initiating a definite scheme which it is hoped will enable the Rotorua school to introduce an agricultural course into its curriculum along lines. which have already been successfully adopted by the Rangiora High School in the South Island, and the Feilding Agricultural High School in the North. The first steps in this scheme were taken at a meeting of the Board last evening when, after a member, Mrs, I. M. Davidson, had submitted a comprehensive report on the subject, and a deputation had reported upon negotiations with the Borough Couneil for the transfer of the Medical Officers' Reserve which it is hoped to use as a hostel site and experimental farm, a suh-committee'was set up to report upon various farm sites which are under consideration and in regard to other prelinainary arrangements. In a round-the-table discussion, the opinion was expressed that the scheme Was one which would require a great deal' of spade work, but that if the public of the district could be intercsted, its progress would be considerably faeilitated. It was mentioned by Dr. Bertram that Mr. H. C. Hai'dcastle had'offered to throw open paddocks on his farm for experimental work if the Board proceeded with an agricultural scheme .uu bUO-coninntAee which was set up was also instructed to consider Mr. Hardcastle's off er in , relation to the general scheme. Dr. Bertram stressed the value of this offer and pointed out that Mr. Hardcastle's property, run as it was on the most up-to-date lines, would provide an excellent medium for instruction. Use of this farm could not of course, be regarded as a permanency, but until the school could acquire a farm of its own, the opportunity for instruction afforded would be of the very greatest value.

Public Support Necessary. Mr. W. Steele, supplementing Dr. Bertram's renrarks, said that he felt sure that the Board would secure general support in its scheme. Dr. Bertram emphasised the necessity for obtaining the support of" the district and advocated publicity as a means to this end. In a letter from the Rangiora High School authorities, it was mentioned that their agricultural instructor, Mr. D. A. Campbell, B., A.G., B.Sc.. would be staying with his parents at Matamata during the school tex-m holidays and it was decided to invite Mr. Campbell to meet members of the Board and discuss wjth them details of the course in operation at Rangiora.

In reply to Dr. Bertram, who asked whether an agricultural course could be incorporated into the school ;urriculum under the present staffing arrangements, the headmaster, Mr. A. R. Rvder, said that if they could secure a good agricultural instructor who could take other subjects as well, a lot of good work could be done even without developing a full-time scheme. Earlier in the year, however, applications had been called for a master with agricultural training, but not one man had applied who had really good qualifications. At the same time, he thought that it should be possible to obtain men trained at either the Massey or Lincoln college who would be able to carry out good work in agricultural instruction. If the school went a grade higher, they would then be able to obtain an agricultural master who should be able to carry on successfully and work in with the managei of the farm if one was appointed. Vai'ious possible sites for a school farm were discussed, and the ehairman, Mr. R. B. Nesbitt, reportel upon the attitude of the Borough Counci1 towards tho Board's recent suggestion that the Medical Officers' Reserve adjacent to the school shoulu be transferred from the Couneil to the Board and used in connection with the scheme. His Worship the Mayor, Mr. T. Jackson, had stated that he was very sympathetically disposed towards any scheme which would eneourage technical and agricultural eaucat.on but the Board's request had yet to go before the Couneil, as a Domain Board, foi' decision. It was finally decided to appoint Messrs. Nesbit, H. A. Goudie, Steele, and H. M. Martin as a sub-committee to report upon the various sites and also to report upon Mr. Hardcastle's offer in connection with -the schenie. Mrs. Davidson's Report. The basis of the sub-committee's investigations, however, will be the suggestions put forward in a comprehensive report brought do'wn by Mrs. I. M. Davidson, who was the originator of the scheme. In her report, Mrs. Davidson suggested various areas of land which might be acquired for thq purpfise of a school farih and also for a hostel. which she stated would be absolutely essential if the schenie was to be a success. Failing the Board being able to obtain the use of the Medical Officers' Reserve, Mrs. Davidson suggested that a section in the Recreation Reserve on the Old Taupo Road, north of the Golf Links, might be' secured. This land was unoccupied, and might be acquired from the Crown without a great deal of difficulty. "I would suggest that a loan be raised on the Education Reserve, not to exceed an amount, which with interest and sinking fund, would not oxceed a charge on the Board's annual revenue of more than £200 per annum," the report concluded. "This would allow the raising of a loan of. approximately £2800. Portion of this would have to be applied for the erection of accommodation, and the balance to provide cattie, iniplements and the cost of breaking in the land. The Board might reasonably ask' the Government for some small assistance in cash— it would be almost hopeless at the present time to ask for any large amount — and' in addition they might reasonably ask the Government to provide a practical working instructor."