AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LVII, Issue 31, 26 June 1914, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

I'iN.UUSEI) NEW LuUItSK. AT TECHNICAL OOuLBGE.

At the meeting of the Taranaki Education Board yesterday, the Director of Technical Education (Mr. A. Gray) outlined a course of instruction in agricultural work which he proposes to introduce if sufficient support i.i forthcoming. The details are sci out in the following circular, wliiich lie has sent out among the farmers by "way of a "feeler": —

"For the present I propose, to obtain the use of from five to ten acres of hind which would be worked as a snuu'l farm, A competent instructor would friw liis whole time to the instruction of dents, who, in addition to the practical work, would receive instruction at the College in Dairy Science, Agriculture, Chemistry, Botany, Farm Carpinlry, Metal Work and Elementary Plumbing. Also Engineering would be taught to n

-.: iiukrd sufficient to enable the studonts_io thoroughly understand and to repair ordinary farm machinery, including milking machines of various types. In addition, a specially arranged simplified system of Farm Book-keeping would bo taught. As the .majority of the students would have to board in or near New Plymouth, it would he necessary ■ charge a fee sufficient to coves boarding expenses, and cost pf tuition. This

. 1. think, would have to be £SO per annum. Now, before I can go on with this scheme, it is necessary/' that I should have the names of twenty students whose parents are prepared to ■ them at leatf a one year's course, and I should be glad to hear from any such parents .it the very earliest o;"'P»r----fcimity. I shall be very grateful for any suggestions from farmers or otihers interested, and will at once supply any further information that may he required." lie Board approved of the suggestion, members remarking that it would be very valuable if sufficient pupil,? could be obtained.