THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE

Press, Volume XLVI, Issue 7253, 8 March 1889, Page 5

THE SCHOOL OF AGRICULTURE

[PRESS ASSOCIATION TBX.KORAM.] WELLINGTON, March 7. The Commissioners appointed to inquire into the working of the Lincoln Agricultural College, after rehearsing the technical portion, report that, in their opinion, the endowment should not have been charged with the sum of .£7954 as a contribution towards the Canterbury College buildings. They suggest that the transaction should be treated as an investment, and provision made for the repayment; of the money and interest upon it. The Commissioners have come to the conclusion that the Board of Governors failed tc manage the School of Agriculture w as to produce the best results, and that a change in the managing body was desirable. It recommends that legislation should be obtained to place the institution and its endowment under a Board of Agriculture, constituted similarly to the Council of Agricultural Education in Victoria, and that a system of eoholarshipa should be instituted. The Commiaaionara express the opinion that the fees charged at present are far too high; that a redaction could be made by adopting a different system of boarding students. By tbii means, and by utilising the produce of the farm, the cost should not exceed £20 pel annum. By adopting these reoommenaations the college would be placed within the reach of all classes of the community. The general results of the farm would be much improved by the appointment of an efficient farm manager, so ea to enable the Director to devote more time to other duties, and to carry on a more extensive system of experimental work, which was neglected in the past. If managed on the lines indicated in the report, Commissioners submit, the School of Agriculture at Lincoln would soon be rendered of inestimable value to tfa? colony.