AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

Taranaki Daily News, 24 May 1917, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT. The following report on agricultural instruction under the Taranaki Education Hoard was presented to the meeting yesterday by Hi'. K. Browne, the board's director:— After the conclusion of the teachers' course at 'Xew r Plymouth, on April "20, instructors •were given one Peek's leave in view of the loss of Easter holidays and in view also of the special efforts put forth by llieni.

Visit of the Minister and of Director of Kdueation.—Some little lime wastak oil lip in this connection. As known to the Hoard, future development at Stratford in the agriculture line was an important subject of investigation. So many matters" of importance as'regards rural education were arising that ic would be advisable a. little later on that lie should visit Wellington 1o confer with the department's oflicials as regard? (lie present activities and possible futuM developments. Dairy Companies' -Support.—The Moa Dairy Company at Inglewood was the latest addition to the list of contributing bodies. Unfortunately, owing to the Minister's visit to Stratford on th© day of meeting, lie was unable to lie present to explain the aims and methods of instruction. hence the decision to support the scheme was very gratifying. Lectures to Farmers.—This work was now in full swing. During the last fortnight lectures or demonstrations had been given by Mr. Sergei at Hillsborough ((>), Korito (l'.j;, Kgmont Village (12). and Pukeho (S); by Mr. Johnson aj Sfangatoki {■> j and Malioe (4): and by himself at Auroa (G), Lowgarth (9) Matapu (»), Cardiff (22), and Xgace (14). Attendances wero given in parentheses. Unfortunately, wet weather in the early part of the month greatly interfered' with the attendances, as indicated above. As far as possible, tliey were arranging that each instructor would be present at one or more demonstrations in each month by lumsell, so is to secure uniformity in methods of work. It was quite plain that there was great scope for increased activity in instructional work in this district. Technical College Classes at New Plymouth adn Ilawcra.—Work in connection with these continued satisfactorily.

The method of instruction was appreciated by both pupils and instructors.,. The lads at Now were attached to the teachers' classes for some days during the Easter course. From 14th the lads from both centres were t/ meet at New Plymouth for a weeks continuous instruction, especially m indoo* and outdoor practical work, preparatory to a July course in pastur* work, topdressing," and orchard work. At this latter course it was hoped to attract ■ Tanners' sons and others interested, in addition to the huts at present enrolled, as all work would be done on (arms. Orchard Work and 'Horticulture.—Ar; early start was to be made with this, wherever support was forthcoming. Airansements were now well in hand. School Classes in Agriculture anil Dairy Work.—ln all cases where schools had been visited during the month, keen Interest had been taken in the woik of the children, and, in nearly all cases, of the teachers too. Messrs Johnson and Sergei were both satisfied that much good had followed the instructional work at Easter. Personally, he had paid most attention to the larger schools, and in all cases noted great enthusiasm from the pupils and teachers alike. Even in the lower classes greatly increased interest was being manifested in horticulture and nature study. Especially was this so at Xew Plymouth, where at the Central School and at Fitzrov rapid developmental work was in progress. The report was adopted.