ENDOWMENTS OF SCHOOLS OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSERVATION OF FORESTS AND TIMBER.

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 330, 25 June 1874, Page 2

ENDOWMENTS OF SCHOOLS OF AGRICULTURE AND CONSERVATION OF FORESTS AND TIMBER.

Rumours have been freely circulated, to the effect, that the coming session is to be a short one. It will be remembered, too that Mr Vogel, in his speech at Auckland, had prepared the publiCinind for this, by announcing that it was thedesiiilof the Government to give the country rest,' and to complete, rather than commence new ones, those works already on hand. Of the wisdom of such a proposition few, probably, will be found to question ; and hence, it would seem that the interval of repose suggested by the Premier might be taken advantage' of to supply a deficiency in the legislation of the country, in*tb.e absence of which it would be difficult to estimate the magnitude of the losses already sustained by the colony ; but which, by some wise and timely legislation, may for the time to ' come be much diminished. It is proposed to invite the attention of the Legislature, and of those who may be either publicly or privately interested, to two or three important matters, which, whether considered financially or otherwise, cannot, it is thought, but commend themselves to earnest consideration on the part of the authorsties. First in order might be considered the successful occupation of large areas of country, the soils of which have not as yet been thoroughly understood or analyzed. t In the interests, too, of the people now coming to the colony at the public expense, and connected with this special department, would be the establishment and. organisation of a public school of agriculture, which, in course of time might with other colleges, have its own affiliated schools throughout the different provinces, and in this way be the means of impartingto the settlers in the outdistricts in a, practical form, the results achieved by science, in the adaptation of peculiar soils to the beneficial use of the colonist, and indirectly to the benefit of the colony at large. Before proceeding farther,, it is due to an hon member of the House, whose ready appreciation of all that is useful in promoting the true interests of the , people is acknowledged, to say that he has already moved in the direction indicated, and it is only with a view of reviving in the minds of members the importance of a subject already so well and ably dwelt upon by him that these suggestions are made. Agricultural chemistry is, moreover, a study involving' so much that is interesting in science* that specially applied to the undeveloped resources of this, country cannot but stimulate many young students with a laudable desire to excel in the knowledge of . a branch of useful and practical economy, and tKus r confer a lasting benefit on the colony, and the farmingclasses ,in particular '; when • alto it is borne in -mind, that there is but little analogy between' the soils' ofi the i old country and the new, the losses and disappoint- ; ments often felt by new comers, after an expenditure , of time,, labour, and sometimes capital, is not to be "Wondered at, but nevertheless much, to be regretted- . To avert this as much as possible in the future, and to r adapt the sods in all their variety to special kinds . of profitable husbandry, would be the design andL aim of an' institution having these obiects in view.. The question then seems to suggest itself as to* ■ whether the endowment of a ' School for Agricultural and Scientific pursuits,' is not in itself of suf- . ficient importance to the colony at large, and to. f commend itself to the favorable consideration of Parliament, the Press, and the people, and thua secure an enactment during the forthcoming session. Whilethus touching on a subject,cthe importance of which is almost inseparable from the well-being; r of the colonists, both present and future, another , field presents itself for useful legislation, connecting itself in many t respects with the one now undei- . notice. 'It has been long apparent/that large portions of the valuable kauri and other forests are* , being annually destroyeTi tiy fire, the origin of which \ is in most instances to be traced, to the reckless con- , duct of diggers in search of kauri gum. In the* [ Australian colonies the most stringent laws are in. I force to prevent these wholesale conflagrations,. ' and when 1 it is borne .in miad that the kaur^ tim5 ber, like the kauri gum, is daily deereasißg» and. that the consumption of timber for exportation and [ ' home requirements is increasing by very large 'proL 'portions to what it used to>be, and when also it be- [ comes generally known that .more; than ,• half a t century is spent in reproducing one of these gianta L of the forest, it requires ,but little calculation to de- • ' terinine (with, these agencies ,'ccmbined) that but a [ ! short period- must elapse faefore our own resources are exhausted — the tables turned- — and we unfor- [ tunately find ourselves compelled to import at high. : rates an article which, with, ordinary solicitude;, •"ought for many years to come to form a valuable \ and profitable source of trade. .The question of \ export duty notwithstanding to be hereafter conl sidered. Thatjthese are matters of more than or- . dinary interest it cannot but, be admitted, and if the ' Premier be but true to his instincts and destiny, as ! he is believed to be, he will at once provide a remedy for t iheymitigation, at least, of these evils, and in doing so he, will raise another pillar r in support of that grand superstructure of public works and public progress, in the successful. accomglisKment of jnrhich his name shall be held in for ■ I all time to borne." -k - ■- : - «- -