THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE

Shannon News, 12 February 1926, Page 2

THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE

TO BE LOCATED NEAR PALMERSTON LEVIN PASSED OVER AGAIN. A conference of delegates from the Auckland and Victoria (Wellington) University Colleges met at Wellington on Thursday and agreed to the establishment of a single School of Agriculture to be situated in the MartonPalmerstoai area. The proposal has been endorsed by each of the two University Councils and as it is thus the unanimous view of the Colleges in the North Island, it is expected that it will result in the establishment of the School by the Government and that it will develop into a complete residential university. The' Government will be asked to provide a grant for 'buildings and equipment and an annual grant to provide salaries of the teaching and research staff and the cost of maintenance. The Government will also be asked to acquire lor the purposes oi the school an area of not less than 1500 acres at a site in the MartonPalmerston area to be approved by the College Councils. The Marton—<Palmerston area was chosen by the two Professors of Agriculture at Wellington and Auckland. Professor Peren said some of the reasons which actuated him and Professor Riddet in their choice of a site were ag follow: "We have selected Palmerston North as the site because that place is very well situated as regards dairying. It is very well situated- as regards sheep and is very good sheep country. Tli'e Marton area is an area suitable for grain growing. Palmerston North is also the meeting point of four or five railways. From tlie point of view of transport, both to the staff of the college and the farmers interested, no other place is so suitable in these respects. It is practically impossible to get a. place that is the absolute centre, but Palrnerstorf come nearest to ■'■ satisfying these requirements. It has to be rem embereel that we are responsible for the Marlborough and Nelson districts."