PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10457, 23 October 1911, Page 5

PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.

CONFERENCE IN iMASTERTOIZ. PROJECT WARMLY SUPPOBTCE I>. The conference convened by the Wellington Education Board of representatives of local bodies and others interested in the establishment of an agricultural school in the Wairarapa was held in the Masterton A. and IP. Association's Room® on Saturday last. There were present Messrs A. i H. Vile and W. C. Davies (agricultural instructor) representing the Wellington Education. Board, and the following delegates:—Masterton A. and P. Association: Messrs H. Morrison, (President), A. J. Percy and E. Harper. Wairarapa P. and A. Society: Mr W. Howard . Booth (President). Masterton Trust Lands Trust: Messrs C. E. Daniell, 0. ,C. Pragnell and W. H. Jackson. Masterton County Council: Councillors D. J. Cameron and R. <F. Boe-tham. Wairarapa South County Council: Messrs W. Fisher, T. Moore and R. G. Welch. Eketaliuna County: Councillors J. Dawson (chairman), and B. Morriss. 'Featherstou County Cbun* cil; Councillor Q. Donald. Maurice?ville Oourity Council: Councillor J; E. Perry.. Masterton Borough Council : Cr J; C. Ewington. Mr A. H. Vile was voted to the cihair. .Mr Vile, in opening the meeting, regretted the absence of Messrs* A. "W. Hogg and W. O. Buchanan, M.'sP. Apologies were read from both members, and they expressed themselves entirely in sympathy with the proposal. An apology was also received from His Worship the Mayor (Mr J. M. Ooradine). Mr Vile stated that the delegates were all aware that the District High Schools in the Wellington- Education Board's district carried out a course of rural instruction, ,b,ut it only provided in a limited way agricultural education for children in the primary schools. The children appreciated the course, as did their parents, but as a proof that it was incom- . plete it might be pointed out that most of the scholars who go through the course drift to the cities at its conclusion. The course did not furnish any object for tESih "to aim at. The idea of sanctioning the course was to give the children a love for the soil. But at present there was no (means of giving boys a practical and thorough knowledge of agriculture. Out of £1,000,000 voted this year for education, not a penny, outside the high school course, was* being spent on agricultural instruction. Bast year the sum "of £66,<©7 -was received- from education endowments in New - Zealand, outside those set apart since 1906. Of this, sum onehalf went to primary schools, and the balance to secondary 'schools, colleges and universities. If boys wished to pursue any of the handicrafts, they could obtain what knowledge they desired from the technical schools. There -was, however, no provision for continuing their education in the great primary industry. ,It was proposed to go to the Government and ask them to provide something for the children, to aspire to, in the line of an, Agricultural Higli School. The Wairarapa offered-s/pec^" 5 ial facilities for an institution of this kind. Mr Vile said he thought the Minister would do something in this direction, because only recently be had signified his intention of doing something more for agriculture. The Inspectors of the Board had recognised that -something was needed as a continuation, of the rural courser. The speakerread a letter from Mr T. R. Fleming (chief inspector), in which it was stated that the rural course was merely a preliminary step in agricultural training. The speaker 1 added that he had not come with any set scheme, except the suggestion that they .should approach the Government and ask them to do something, promising at same time to, something for themselves.He hoped those present would take the opportunity to discuss the matter fully. The (Board would like to hear what the rural fraternity had to say. In conclusion, Mr Vile moved: "That this meeting, representing tlie Wellington. Education Board and the agricultural and local 'bodies of the Wairarapa and .Forty Mile Bush districts, is of opinion that the time has arrived when the system of rural education in New Zealand should be extended, to bring it into line with that of other parts of the British Empire, and of foreign countries; and that the urgent importance of such extension 'be represented to the Government through the Minister, with the special facilities offered in the .Wairarapa district for an agricultural school.'' nVTr J. Dawson seconded the reso-*" lution, and in doing. sq,stated that once started, there was no doubt that the movement would go ahead. The Government should assist in the matter, and he felt sure the local bodiesi would also assist. (Mr iDaniell stated that- he had taken; some interest in, the matter for some years, not from his knowledge, but >fronv his judgment of the desirability for agricultural schools. He had heard some hard words said aboilt young (New Zealanders, but lie believed that they were asi enthusiastic in their desire to leai*n as were their .forefathers. He congratulated, Mr Vile on taking the step he had done. There seemed, he said, to be a feeling that- it was make the proposal a Masterton affair. (Mr Daniell added that he like to disclaim such a feeling. The idea was to make it of interest- ,to the whole of the district, Mr Daniell produced a plan of a piece of land bounded by the Te Ore Ore road and- the Waipoua and Ruamahanga rivers, of tlie extent of 136 acres. He stated the section was a reserve in the hands of the Lands Department, in trust, to be kept for education purposes, and he thought it might lie a suitable site for the proposed college. 'As a imemlber of the Trust Lands Trust he had no definite, instructions, but he i'elt sure that body would Ivo^ prepared to assist in the matter. Fourteen years ago a much smaller mating than the present one had initiated the technical school, which now had 300 scholars. He did not favour asking the Government "to do everything. He thought the people should do something for themselves. Mr H. Morrison congratulated the chairman upon his energy and enthusiasm in the .matter. Continuing, lie .said that it was the opinion of the A. and P. Association that an agn> cultural college, would in time be establishes! in. the Xorth Island, and Ik saw no reason why it should not be in the .. airarapa. The .whole of tin North Island was dependent on agri culture, except, perhaps, the mining districts. Wairarapa was bettor suited for an agricultural college thai any other pail of the Island, because experiments could-be conducted

iin all classes of farming, 'both agriI cultural and pastoral. He did not agree with Mr Daniell that the Government should not be approached and thought it ought to give the movement every support, for "the reason that the people -made their living out o.f the soil. They paid their taxes, and the farmers should get something direct out of the Government. Mr Morrison said he had much pleasure in supporting the motion 'before the. meeting. All must admit that agriculture was only in its infancy, and .must get .more scientific as it went on. It was going to be the most important -science to the whole of the world. It was time more was clone for agriculture, and it was the dutv of the Government to do it. Mr Fisher asked whether the proposal was for children to qualify ! For a course in the agricultural II school from the high schools, or whe- | ther they would have to pay as at a " ec-lle^e. Mr Vilo thought it would bo well to ksep to a High School, which would be free to graduates from District High j Schools.

Mr Da.vies said it was advisable to luive some school that would be most suitable for the district—something that would fit in with the present rural course. For the lavt five or six years most country schools had had their garden plots and made an acquaintance with the common crops of the farm. The rural course was incomplete. The most serviceable institution would be an institution which would bo partly school and partly farm. He thought 30 or 40 acres would do for a start. It would be seen of what interest such a school would be. Fifty years ago France took the lead in establishing schools of this nature, and they were conducted under the auspices of tho technical authorities. Germany, Denmark, and Sweden followed. The Americans also took a hand. Strange to say the work was started at the top and not at the bottom as in New Zealand. About ten years ago a move was made in America in the direction, of following up the primary work of high schools. Mr ftavies went on to point out the remarkable progress that had been made in Japan. .In 1888 they .had eight agricultural institutions, 113 instructors, 956 scholars, and 271 graduate:-. In 1908 there were 4375 institutions, 2967 instructors., 182,289 scholars, and

93,406 graduates. In Victoria there were also a .number of agricultural high. schools. Up to last year there were five. These had all sprung into existence within the last few years. The rules under which they were conducted were very stringent,, so, as to insure that unsuitable scholars did not get into the schools. xVll had to pars an. examination and obtain a certificate of merit, which was equal to the proficiency certificate in New Zealand. A charge was made of £8 8s per annum. Mr Morrison said it would be absolutely necessary to have a school of a large size in order to keep sheep, cattle and horses, so that the hoys could learn sometliing that would be of practical assistance. Mr Davies explained tint he did not

intend to suggest that the school be devoted entirely to agriculture, but ho thought his scheme would be a good

beginning. Mr Welch agreed that pastoral instruction should be imparted. They

a Lso wanted to teach the boys how to live on a small area of land. He thought the site proposed by Mr Daniell would be a very writable one.

He considered that tho local bodies in the district should contribute. There was no doubt that such an institution would be of inestimable value. Personally, he was prepared to give the project his support. He hoped the effect of the meeting would be to bring forward something practicable. If they could formulate a scheme that would show that it was going to be a help they would l>e much more likely to get the Government's support. Mr Morriss said that they wanted to get a resolution passed and seo what support they could obtain from local bodies.

Mr Pragfiell said ho would not have liked to have niisied the interesting addresses of the previous speakers. It had been an education to him. Unless the farm was in the small farm settlement the Trust would not be able to contribute.

Mr Daniel! explained that the site he proposed was not wholly in the small farm settlement.

Mr Pragnell then stated that the scope of the Trust might be extended in order to .allow it to assist. In conelusion, Mr Pragnell joined in congratulating the Chairman on taking the initiative. Ho saw no reason why the Government should not take the matter in hand. He suggested going to Wellington to approach the Minister before the session closed. He supported the resolution. Mr Percy said it was time there was an agricultural college in the district, but he did not favour depending on the Government. Plenty of fanners would assist financially. He himself would give £25, and double this amount if the movement was a success. He thought that agricultural ini struction was more necessary than pastoral. He did not think a better site than that Mr Daniell proposed could be found. It was composed of the best and the worst class of soil.

Mr Ewington said he thought that all were of the same opinion on the matter. He thought it was the duty of the citizens to assist the farmers. He was very much in favour of the proposal. Mr Percy said ho felt sure the business people would be willing to subscribe. He suggested opening a subscription list. Mr Harper said that the school should be of sudh a nature that old fashioned farmers could pay it a visit and get knowledge as jvell as young students. Mr R. F. Beetham said the question was one of such Dominion importance that it was certainly one for the Government. It would be all very well to start an institution by pxiblic subcription, but it had to be kept going. He supported the resolution, and congratulated Mr Vile. He would not like to sec a school started if it could not be carried on. It should have been started long ago by the Government.

Mr Moore .also agreed with the proposal. He instanced a case' where 70 stacks out of 170 stacks of wheat were destroyed through faulty building. Mr Vile explained, in answer to a question, that the Board bad not formal la ted a scheme, thinking that the Government would combine with the conference in formulating a scheme winch would be practicable. Mr Jackson suggested that not only assistance be sought, but that an endowment be asked for in order to maintain, the institution.

Mr Howard Booth supported the motion. It did not, he said, matter where tho Government put the school, so long as it put it somewhere. It was a big thing, and he wanted to see it through. Ho thought there would.bo no trouble in having the whole of the stock required presented by the farmem

Mr Morrison stated that lie felt sure that members of the A. and P. Association would do their part in donating stock. The motion was then put and carried unanimously. -

Mr Daniell then moved: "That the Government be asked to set aside the parcel of land, bounded by the Ruamahanga and Waipoua rivers and Te Ore Ore road, for the purposes of an agricultural school, subject to the leases noiv existing." Mr Jaekson seconded the motion.

Mr Beet-ham proposed as an amendment that the land be set aside as the nucleus of an endowment. Mr Cameron seconded the amendment.

Mr PragneU said it would be better for a deputation to have a free hand.

Mr Vile said he thought it would be wise to reserve the question of site until they had interviewed the Minister. The motion and the amendment were thereupon withdrawn. On the motion of the Chairman, those present, with power to add to their number, were appointed a deputation to wait on the Minister for Education and Agriculture, and ask hjm for a definite pronouncement on the question of the extension of agricultural instruction special attention be r ing drawn to the proposal suggested * Mr Vile was asked to make arrangements for a suitable date for the deputation to visit Wellington. The Chairman expressed himself gratified with the enthusiasm manifested in the proposal. He hoped that the meeting would result in some practicable scheme being inaugurated. Votes of. thanks to the Chairman and Mr Davies closed the meeting.