ON THE LAND.

Taranaki Daily News, 28 October 1915, Page 6

ON THE LAND.

TEACHING OF AGItfCULTURE. An interesting report concerning instruction in agriculture carried out at Taranaki schools was submitted to the Taranalci Education Board yesterday by Mr. J. G. Ellis (agricultural instructor). The report stated:—"l have to report that the interest in the agricultural work of the schools of the district is not only being well maintained, but is an everincreasing quantity, and the work which is being done in several of the schools is of a very creditable character. Manures and seeds have been sent out to the schools which have this work as part of the school course of instruction, and the season's work is well in hand. A pleasing feature which it gives me great pleasure to report is the number of schools where the work is being undertaken for the first time, viz., Ackland, Durham, Huiroa, Huiakama, Kaimiro, Korito, Makahu, Pembroke, Pukearuhe, Stanley, Tarurutangi, Te Kiri and Waihi, and in some of these places the promise of successful work is plainly indicated in the beginning made. In only two schools of the higher grade, viz., Fitzroy and West End, no agricultural work is done, and only six in the next grade have not yet included this very import-, ant subject of instruction in their timetable. In those schools which I should place in the front rank not only is agriculture being suscessfully taught, but a combined course is taken, and dairy science is being equally successfully taught. I shall not be going out of my way to mention Inglewood, Norfolk, Lepperton, Ngaere, Omata and Okato. These are some of the schools that you and the members of the Board can well be proud of and in which T venture to say the work will compare favorably with ' that of any primary school in the Dominion, including as it does work in both important subjects.

"I am pleased to report further that with a view to stimulating yet more interest in such matters, Mr. T. Boyle, of Pembroke road, who for many years past has shown his practical sympathy with and interest in the work of agriculture in the schools of the district, has informed me that it is his intention to present a silver shield for competition amongst the schools. The details and conditions upon which the shield will be awarded have yet to be fixed, but I am hoping to be able to submit these to the Board at the meeting in November.'' The report was adopted.