SCHOLARSHIPS.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXII, Issue 90, 15 April 1912, Page 6

SCHOLARSHIPS.

AN IMPORTANT CONFERENCE. A conference was held on Friday in the Council Chambers, Now Plymouth, to consider proposals to extend the scholarships by amending tire Education Act of 1908, so as to allow of more than one scholarship being awarded to a school in any one year, and other questions. There were present: Mr N. K. MacDiaririid (in the chair), Hon. T. Kelly, M.L.C., Messrs H. Okey and J. B. Hine, M.P.’s, Mr D. Hutchens (New Plymouth TUgh School), Messrs Morton, Trimble and Ballantyne (Taranaki Education Board), Messrs E. Dixon. P. 0 Dea, arid G. Braik . (Wanganui Education Board). ( The following resolutions were carried : “That section 79 (a) of the Education Act, 1903, he amended so as to allow of more than one scholarship being awarded in any one year to a school; provided that if scholars from different schools qualify, each school supplying a qualifying scholar shall be awarded a scholarship before a second is awarded to any school. “Seeing that the provincial district of Taranaki is mainly dependent on the dairying and grazing industries, it is desirable that a scholarship or scholarships be offered for a knowledge of bilogy and chemistry, calculated to promote these industries. “That three scholarships per annum in dairying and agriculture he awarded. “That a committee consisting of Mr O’Dea, Mr Braik, and Mr Ballantyne be set up to prepare suggestions as to the qualifying examination fer the dairying and agricultural scholarships. “That the conditions requiring scholars to pass a section of the degree of bachelor of science or to take up a course of study in a branch of applied science be recommended for deletion.” The committee, appointed as stated above, subsequently recommended: “That the qualifying examination be the matriculation with elementary agriculture, and either botany, chemistry, or zoology as compulsory subjects to the coiftse followed thereafter by that of bachelor of agriculture.” This report was adopted. At present the scholarships are of the annual value of £6O, and are tenable for three years, and are open to candidates who have resided and attended a school within the Taranaki provincial district for not loss than two years. The balance-shoot of the Public Trust Office presented to Parliament during the session, shows that the accumulated revenue on March 31st last was £9488 18s 3d, the revenue for the past year being £1094 and the expenditure £271 4s 7d. In the discussion which took place, Mr Dixon said it was quite evident that the conditions of the scholarships were too high, and should he amended. New Plymouth High School had succeeded in winning only two, and it was impossible in so small a population to find sufficient students capable of reaching so high a standard. The time had therefore come when something should he done, or they might lose the endowment. He favoured the establishment of an agricultural college at Moumohaki State Farm. The students would have the benefit of years of« practical work with the stock, etc. If tha + could he done, Moumohaki Farm would serve a twofold purpose. The only cost would he the building of a college and residence, and that the department would no doubt find. The proceeds from the endowment would enable the college to lie free to Taranaki students, though it might ho open to all, with a preference to Taranaki scholars. A research scholarship in agriculture and dairying could ho established. Such a scholarship would enable a student to travel to Denmark and Canada and give the result of research to Taranaki and the Dominion. This would he of untold value. It was quite true that the Moumahaki State Farm was outside of the Taranaki province, hut that should not he a hindrance. To establish such a college in the centre of Taranaki would no doubt he better, hut before they could have such a college with the facilities at Moumahaki State Farm it would cost £50,000. The subject was ro important that they should ask the legislature something that would meet with the approval of the majority. THE PREMIER INTERVIEWED. A deputation consisting of Messrs Dixon, O’Dea, and Braik waited on the Prime Minister at Hawera this

morning and explained tue results of the conference. Mr Mackenzie seemed to favour the idea of an Agricultural School at Moumahaki, if all tue bodies interested were agreeable. The present annual income of £l,000 a year will be materially increased when the present reserves leases expire. At present the scholarship is wholly a literary one, the entrance examination for wr.ich is so high that very few qualify. The consequence is that there is a very big surplus each year. The Victoria University College has made several attempts to appropriate the funds, and last year, in the House, Mr Hcrdrnan, ALP., strongly urged the claims of the College. The reserves, however, were in the first place set aside in the sixties out of the Confiscated Lands “for the purpose of higher education in Taranaki,” and it behoves Taranaki to see that the income is not diverted from Taranaki. The proposals adopted by the Conference separate the scholarships into two divisions—literary scholarships at as present, and agricultural scholarships to ho held at Lincoln. Agricultural College or any similar instituten. In seeing the Premier so promptly on the subject, says the “Star,” the doputaton rendered the public an invaluable service.