MASSEY COLLEGE

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 744, 17 August 1929, Page 5

MASSEY COLLEGE

SIR GEORGE FOWLDS PLEASED WITH PROGRESS WORKING UNDER DIFFICULTIES This morning, on his return from Wellington, Sir George Fowlds expressed his gratification that a start is to be made with the erection of the main building of the Massey Memorial College at Palmerston North. Yesterday The Sun announced that the contract for the building had been let to the Fletcher Construction Company at a total cost of £96,500. Sir George, who is chairman of the Board of Governors of the college, stated that the governing body had been set up two years last January. Even though there had been a delay In starting the building he was quite satisfied, as it had given the council time to investigate every problem associated with the scheme. Some of the delays were caused by a change of Government, but now Sir George is satisfied that these delays have given them a fuller opportunity of working out the needs of the college. The number of students at the college this year is 165, which is far greater than was anticipated. The staff of the college has been working under a tremendous strain in the old buildings.

The amount of research work which has developed since the scheme began has been considerable, said Sir George. Some interesting research work is going on in connection with flax. This is being subsidised by the Flaxmillers’ Association, in the same way that the dairy research work, In the dairy institute which is allied with the college, is being subsidised by the Dairy Control Board. A good deal of is also being given to research work regarding wool and sheep breeding in its relation to wool. The Auckland University College has contributed about £20,000 toward the cost of the building, mainly through the bequest of Sir John Logan Campbell, and the Victoria University College £IO.OOO. The remainder of the money will be found by the Government.