EXPERIMENTAL FARM PROJECT.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXI, Issue 9064, 13 April 1908, Page 5

EXPERIMENTAL FARM PROJECT.

MR BUCHANAN'S OFFER. ITS ACCEPTANCE RECOMMENDED. The question of the establishment of an experimental farm in Wairarapa was brought up again at the meeting of the General Committee cf the Masterton A. and P. Association on Saturday. The Committee at its previous meeting received a letter from the Featherston Chamber of Commerce asking the Committee to co-operate with the Chamber in urging upon the Government the advisability of establishing such a farm in the Wairarapa, but no action was taken. Mr Wm. Perry, in re-introducing the subject, said that info-mation of such an imnortant character had now been made public that the Committee was justified in acting' upon the letter from the Featherston Chamber of Commerce. He referred to ' the generous offer of Mr VV. C. Buchanan's to give a site p worth £5,000 for the purpose of an experimental farm and £IOOO towards stocking it. Mr Perry said such an offer was very exceptional, and he could not understand why the Government hesitated about accepting it The value of such a farm was indisputable, and the Wairarapa was a very suitable locality for it. He moved that the Government be urged to accept Mr Buchanan's offer, and that it be pointed out how beneficial an experimental farm would be to the wide agricultural district.

Mr Bland Kayner seconded the motion. Mr D. McGregor said he could understand why the Government did not jump at Mr Buchanan's magnanimous offer, as the North Island had already five such farms, while the South Island had none, and if Mr Buchanan's offer were accepted there would be an outcry in the South Island. However, ho was heartily in sympathy with the motion, and would like to aee any institution established whereby young farmers might be educated to their business, and especially in Wairarapa. Mr C. E. Daniell said he was also in entire accord with the proposition, and remarked that in connection with the matter the Government might see fit to utilise one of the many educational reserves at present being most incapably administered. The speaker said he had for a long time been impressed by the indifference shown in connection with the financial returns from the Government reserves. There was one in particular, bounded by the Waipoua and Ruamahanga rivers, and facing Te Ore Ore road, which could with great advantage be used for the purpose of an agricultural college, and which at present was let at a very low rental, and in such a way that the occupiers received no encouragement to improve. Mr McGregor suggested that a committee should be set up in connection with the matter referred to by Mr Daniell. He too thought an agricultural college would be a decided advantage to the district, and on a recent visit to Lincoln College bad come away enthusiastic over the valuable work being accomplished at the institution. The motion was carried unanimously, no action being decided upon at present in regard to Mr McGregor's suggestion.