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(2.) That the. Board is of opinion that a fresh valuation of the Government experimental farms should be made, and that the buildings should be revalued, and written down to a valuation based on the actual value of such buildings for the purposes of the farms as at present conducted. (.').) That in connection with the accounts of the different State farms the Board thinks that the amount spent on educational, work should be separated from the general accounts, as such expenditure cannot be expected to "bring in any income, and therefore should not be a charge on the farm. Central Development Farm, Weraroa. —As it had already been decided by the Government that Levin was the most suitable centre for the establishment of an agricultural college when funds for that purpose were available (a decision endorsed by the Board), it was deemed desirable that no change should be made in the present conduct of tho farm. We were of opinion that the Ruakura Farm of Instruction was an ideal one on which to establish a farm school when it was no longer required for the training of returned disabled soldiers. It was therefore resolved, " That the Board of Agriculture, looking forward to Weraroa as the farm where the agricultural college will be established, recommends that, as soon as practicable after the training of soldiers has ceased, Ruakura Farm of Instruction should be developed on the lines of a farm school to be conducted by the Department of Agriculture." We are glad to note that winter schools for farmers are already being conducted both at Ruakura and at Weraroa with conspicuous success. With regard to Moumahaki Experimental Farm, we also agreed that the experimental portion of the farm might very well be reduced without diminishing its usefulness to the farming community, and the proposals already submitted to you by the Department were endorsed. In this connection we passed the following resolution : " That the Board of Agriculture is glad to hear that the area of Moumahaki Farm is to be reduced. It recognizes that in a dairying district the best purpose the remaining portion of the land can be put to is dairying on tin! best commercial lines, and therefore recommends that a demonstration should be made whereby farmers would be shown the benefit to be obtained in dairying by growing fodder crops to supplement the grass during winter and summer for dairy cows." Te Kauwhala Horticultural Station. —The demonstrations aimed at when this station was first started having been completed, it was agreed by us that it had served its purpose, and consequently might also be reduced in size. It was, however, thought that a portion round the homestead and vineyard should be retained. We therefore resolved, " That the Board of Agriculture is of opinion that Te Kauwhata Horticultural Station having as a whole served its purpose as a demonstration farm, most of the land should be sold, and nil except the vineyard, orchard, and necessary buildings realized upon at the first, favourable opportunity." We have since been informed that this is being given effect to. The Tauranga Horticultural Station, which has specialized in raising citrus fruit, &c, we thought, should bo retained for a longer term, until the results of the research work in this direction had been completed and demonstrated, but that, the expenditure on the station might be reduced. It was accordingly resolved, " That the Board of Agriculture is of opinion that the Tauranga Horticultural Station should be retained for a period, until it is seen (1) whether citrus fruit is suitable for the district, and (2) if so, whether citrus-fruit growing can be established in the neighbourhood on remunerative lines. Further consideration to be given as to the necessity for retaining this farm in, say, two years' time." We have been informed by Dr. Reak.es that it has been decided by the Government that this station is to be closed as a Government farm, and that satisfactory arrangements have been made with the present Manager of the farm to take it over on lease for five years, rent-free, and to work it in conjunction with the Department regarding experiments in citrus-growing. Arataki Horticultural Station. —It was also agreed that this station in the Hawke's Bay District, which had been originally started mainly with the object of raising phylloxera-resistant vines, might be reduced in size with advantage, a small area of fruit land being retained for special research work in conjunction with the fruitgrowing industry. The following resolution was therefore passed: " That the Board of Agriculture is of opinion that the Arataki Horticultural Station might be materially decreased in area, but that a small area be retained, for experimental purposes ; also that the expenses of the station should be drastically curtailed." Dr. Reakcs has since informed us that after careful consideration it had been decided to close this station, the property reverting to the Lands Department. We also sent a recommendation to you that in the case of the horticultural stations local committees should be appointed to make suggestions as to the experimental work and the best methods of assisting fruitgrowers. Repatriation Department's Farms in the South Island. The question as to what action should be taken with regard to the two farms in the South Island that had been established by the Repatriation Department for training returned soldiers, and which were now no longer required for that purpose, was also discussed with Dr. Reakes and Mr. Young, Director of the Live-stock Division of the Department. Avonhead Farm. —It was agreed that the expenditure likely to be incurred in the working of this farm would probably be so heavy that the authorities would be well advised to dispose of it, as it did not promise to be of much assistance to the agricultural community; and it was therefore resolved, " That, with, regard to the Repatriation Department's farm at Avonhead, the Board of Agriculture is of opinion, after having had the accounts of the farm before it, as well as a description of the land, also the evidence of Mr. Young, Director of the Live-stock Division of the Department

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