AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXIV, Issue 10, 5 September 1912, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

WHAT THE NORTH ISLAND WANTS.

While farmers all over the North Island are waiting for definite now. as to the intentions of the Government with regard to the establishment of those promised agricultural colleges, the views of a prominenStratford educational enthusiast m this subject are of interest. This morning a representative of tin “Stratford Evening Post” had a chat with Mr. Robert Masters, the Stratford member of the Taranaki Educa tion Board, and Mr. Masters outlihec a scheme which, while ho did not claim for it originality, lie considered would meet the requirements of Taranaki in the way of agricultural instruction.

A Great Need, “You can easily sec,” said Mi Masters, “that they value of the rural courses which are now being taken by 150 boys at New Plymouth and a' Stratford, is greatly lessened by tin fact that the boys are not advance;' far enough in the study of agriculture dairy science, botany and physical measurements. Thus it is absolutely necessary that these boys should be able to finish their colirso, at such an institution as Lincoln College. There is no question of the value of a course in agriculture; every year sees in Taranaki much small holdings, and ii consequence farming will have to In carried on more scientifically than T has been done in the past. We should do our utmost to provide the necessary education for the boys of Taranaki, to enable them to qualify themselves fm the conditions under which they will have to live in years to come.” And the Remedy.

Continuing, Mr. Masters propound ed a scheme which would provide a re medy for the existing conditions. Par of the land at Moumahaki was not al the present time being fully utilised. Here was just the place for an agricultural college. Then the Taranaki and Wanganui Education Hoards could com bine and make an effort to secure ;. portion of the funds of the Opakau Reserve, and provide agricultural scholarships. It might not be generally known, said .Sir. Masters, but there are over £IO,OOO accrued fund from this reserve, and part of th< money could be devoted to these sebol arships without interfering with tin existing scholarships, the endowment of which the reserves were originally set aside. The college should be for Taranaki boys, but boys could bo taken in from other parts of the Dominion, if the local demand for admittance was not sufficient to fill the school.