AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

Taranaki Daily News, 29 August 1917, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

DIRECTOR'S REPORT. The following report was submitted to the Taranaki Education Board yesterday, by Mr. R. A. 8. Browne, Director of Agriculture:—Routine work in all l>ra:Hi"s of instruction has steadily eonti:.. ■• • -broken weather was experienced ■■'■ ;ost of this period, 'and this .uterlered with attendances at classes, and also with visits to :. t -.iuois. In several cases sickness also caused a loss of time, through schools being closed at time of visit, e.g., in the 'case of Toko, Douglas, and Waitui. Orchard classes have continued with good attendances, notwithstanding the bad weather. A great deal of enthusiasm has been shown at all regular centres of instruction. The Waitara class is being continued to complete the half term. Instruction in these classes is taken mostly by Miss Turton, with Mr. Johnston at Inglcwood. Occasional lessons are taken bv Mr. Sergei and myself. ! ' ■ ' Primary .Schools.—hi addition to regular primary work at Stratford, visits were paid to the following:—Kaimata (2), Inglcwood, Hillsborough (2) Waihi, Urenui, Ws; ingongoro, Norfolk, Lc-pperton, Waitui, Tarurutangi, Midhirst. and Egmont (Mr. (Sergei); Mangatoki (3), Mata.pu, Mahoa, Kaponga (2) Rowan, Makaka, Riverloa, Awatuna (2), Eltham. Kapuni, Piliama, Oeo, Ohangai, Tokaora (Mr. Johnstan); Fitzroy, Central, Lcpperton, Bell Block, Tataraimaka, Umata, Okato. Midhirst, Waihi, Puniho. Warca, Hurford, Koru, iTuirangi, Lower Mangorei and Egmont Village (Mr. Browne,) Farmers' Classes.—An attempt has been made to arouse more interest in centres where attendance at lectures have fallen away, but only partial success has been met with so far. However, where factories are coming in at the increased rate, and instruction is bci:-.." made regular, good attendance is as' sural. Lectures or demonstrations were given at the following centres—Durjham, Makotawa, Tariki, Tarunitungi. Anroa, Mangatoki, Cardiff, Kent, Tutiitawa, Bell Block, ,I'ihama, Stratford, Awatuna," Mahoe, Lowgari.il, Ngaere, Matapu and Waitara Road. I Dairy Factory Donations.—The position to date is:—Factory gone 'out, Stratford . continued at old rate, Okato; increased the rate. Warea, Kaimata; came in for first time at increased rate, i Patua, Waitoitoi, Normanby, Tuiutawa. Rural work at New Plymouth and llawera Technical Colleges.'— This has continued, with attendances as in ja«t r-'pert. Work with fruit trees, pruning, etc., has been a special feature of instruction this month. Teachers' class at New Plymouth,— It has been decided (o discontinue (his '•lass after next lesson, the tenth of l.iie cpurse. The attendance is interfered with owing to certain members having j+.o travel to Stratford on alternate Sal-"-•unlays, and in any case the roll number ; s too small to warrant its continuance. School Grounds.—ln an increasing number of schools improvements arc .under way. It is v. pity to see so nu-ny .schools with too little room for extensivo improvements. Especially is this to as regards frontage. Others again can have little done until pinus trees have been removed. Good work is beingdone at Central. I hope to see, among i'tbers, Waihi and Egmont Village be" como special local centres for propagation. The latter especially could easily specialise in plants from Mt. Egmont. Formal permission should be obtained from the Domain Boards, allowing certain schools to collect for propagation purposes. Donation of Peel?.—Coopers, Ltd., of Wellington, have sent a valuable collection of seeds for trial purposes, altogether some 80 packets. Such donations are very welcome indeed. The report was received.