PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 10697, 19 August 1912, Page 5

PROPOSED AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE

THE CLAIMS OF WAIRARAPA

MEETING OF DELEGATES IN MASTERTON.

A meeting of delegates of local bodies and public institutions in the Wairarapa was held in the- rooms of the Masterton A. and P. Association on Saturday last, to consider the question of interviewing the. Prime Minister on the subject of the establishment of an Agricultural College in tho Wairarapa. Mr Hugh Morrison (president of the Masterton A. and P. Association) ocenjwed the chair, and there wore also present Messrs A. Henderson (Chamber of Commence), C. C. Jackson and J. PL Perrv (Mauriceville County Council). E. C. Harper, I). McGregor, A. J. Percy and J. Strang (Masterton A. and P. Association), T. More and W r . Perry (Wairarapa South County Council), W. Howard Booth (Wairarapa P. and A. Society), J. M. Coradine (Mayor of Masterton), I). J. Cameron (Masterton Countv Council), C. E. Danioll and W. H. Jackson (Masterton Trust Lands Trust), A. H. Vile and C. dimming (Wellington Education Board). Apologies for absence were received from Messrs W. C. Buchanan and G. R. Sykes, M.sP.

Mr Hugh Morrison occupied the chair, and called upon Mr A. H. Vile, as convener of the meeting, to state the reason for the conference.

Mr Vile said that a representative Conference, vailed by the Education Board had been held in Masterton in October last, ft had then been decided that the time- had arrived when secondary agricultural instruction should form part of tho school system of the Dominion. A deputation had boon appointed to wait upon the Minister of Agriculture on the subject, and to urge the claims of the Wairarapa to an Agricultural College. Efforts to secure an audience with tho late Premier had failed, but the advocacy of the subject in the Wairarapa and elsewhere had impressed the present Prime Minister, and he had made provision in the Budget for the erection of two Agricultural Colleges (one in the North and the other in the South Island). Mr Massoy had consented to receive a deputation from the Wairarapa at 2 p.m. on Saturday next.

In reply to Mr C. E. Daniell, Mr Vile stated that Palmerston had been agitating for a Dairy School. Eltham was the only place other than Masterton that had approached Mr Mackenzie in regard to an Agricultural ©ollege, and the late Premier had declined to make a promise to Eltham. Ruakura was purely an experimental farm, and was not suitable for an Agricultural College. Mr.W. Perry moved, ''That this meeting set up a deputation to wait on the Minister of Agriculture and urge the establishment of an Agricultural College in the Wairarapa." Mr Perry pointed out that experimental farais had been established on the West Coast and elsewhere, but the Wairarapa, which was a most important district, had received nothing. Tho mixed farming and varied nature of the soil made the Wairarapa specially adapted for an Agricultural School. Mr H. Morrison seconded the resolution, and on behalf of the district thanked Mr Vile for the energy he had displayed in this matter as a member of the. Education Board. At its last meeting, the Masterton A. and P. Association had decided to use its best, influence to secure an Agricultural College for the Wairarapa. They did not care in which part of the district it was out. Mr Massey was to be congratulated upon bavin; 1 ; recognised the claims of agriculture. The people of the Wairarapa should go in "bald headed" for the College. Mr W. H. Jackson stated that be was strongly in favour of the proposal, and would do everything in his power to assist it. He pointed out that numerous scholarships would be available, and be was prepared to say that the Trust Lands Trust, of which he was a member, would render financial assistance. He referred to tho fact that many years ago Mr .Daniell and himself had advocated an agricultural school for the district.

The chirman stated that many settlers were prepared to donate stock for the College, and Mr Vile pointed out that some had promised financial assistance.

Mr Gumming (agricultural instructor to the • Wellington Education Board) said he was an ex-student of Hawkesbury College. He referred 4 o the splendid work done by that institution. It was not intended to be self-supporting. Mr Gumming referred to tl'ie fact that there were pupils qualifving in our district high schools for scholarships, but there was no secondarv school to which they could aspire. ' Tlie result was that tho rural course was wasted upon them. Mr J. M. Coradine was thoroughly in accord with the movement, and would sunport it all he could. He urged that they should go to tho Minister fortified with data in support cf their claim. Mr D. McGregor, iunr., did not think they would have much difficultv in showing the suitability of the Wairarapa for the College. They had the climate, the variety of soil, and the mixed classes of farming which few other districts possessed. He urged that intensive could only lie made possible by putting on the land nroperly-trained persons, Tliov could furnish statistics showing the "claims of the Wairarapa to consideration.

Mr T. Moore referred to the necessity for higher education, in order that the best could be got out of the land for dairy purposes. A College would be of great value to the dairy farmer. Even if it were run at a loss it would be a benefit to the Dominion.

Mr A. Henderson thought thoy should arrange a deputation on a large scale. Mr C. E. Daniell stated that the Trust Lands Trustees had recently decided upon a £4O scholarship. This should be available for an Agricultural College. He urged that the deputation should go to the Minister armed with all facts as to site, scholarships, etc. He referred to the fact that there was an education reserve at Te

Ore Ore of 100 acres. Mr J. Strang thought they should leavo out the question of site in the meantime, and urge the claims of the Wairarapa bald-headed, as the chairman had .said. Mr Vile pointed out that the revenues from educational endowments in the district had for years gone to maintain the Wellington College and other educational institutions. He considered these revenues should be used to endow an Agricultural ColMr Howard Booth was of opinion that the question of site should be left to the Government. It was a pity that it had been- introduced at this meeting. Mr Perry did not think there was any suitable site available in the neighbourhood of Masterton. Mr Daniell suggested that they should arrange a monster deputation, and appoint speakers at this meeting. Mr I). J. Caiin-.cn moved. "That the delegates at the- previous meeting be asked to attend the deputation, and that Messrs H. Morrison, T. Moore. W. H. Jackson. 1). McGregor, Q. Donald and A. TT. Vile, be a subcommittee to prepare the necessary information to bring before the Minister." —Carried. j On the motion of Mr Vile, it was | decided that Messrs Buchanan and ! Sykes, M.'sP., bo asked to introduce the deputation.