QUESTION OF FUNCTION.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 94, 22 April 1926, Page 9

QUESTION OF FUNCTION.

WESLEY TRAINING COLLEGE. AGRICULTURAL OR EDUCATIONAL? "This is the sort of case that should have been heard before the late Chief Justice," said his Honor Mr. Justice Reed to counsel in the Supreme Court this morning, during the hearing of an action in which the Franklin County Council claimed from the Board of the Wesley Training College the siim of £136 11/8 as rates due on the college property for the year ended March 31, 1025. The matter for .the Court, to decide was whether the college was' principally a farming establishment or an educational institution, thereby being exempt from rates. ,

Mr. Beckerleg appeared on behalf of the - council, while Mr. Richmond and Mr. Peak represented the College Board. Called for the defence, Roy C. Clark, principal of the college, gave evidence of the work done in the institution, and said that, for educational purposes, the whole of the 681 acres of property were required, and that, therefore, the college was primarily an educational, and not an*agricultural one. He added that there was no agricultural college in Australia with less than SOO acres.

Mr. Beckerleg cross-examined witness regarding the improvement made to certain land by students since he (witness) had taken charge}. The Judge said that the only point he saw in the case was whether or not the whole area was necessary for the teaching of students. Legal argument followed. Decision was reserved.