The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 13, 1901 CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

Gisborne Times, Volume V, Issue 37, 13 February 1901, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. GISBORNE, FEBRUARY 13, 1901 CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

While members of the Legislature and ■well-wishers of our Maori youth are essaying much for the amelioration of the condition of the latter, no one has up to the present suggested the course of technical and practical education which would be pre-emin-ently adapted for the young and progressive Maori. We refer to the Canterbury Agricultural College, situate a* Lincoln, some 14 miles from Christchurch by rail or road. As probably few people are aware of the immense advantages possessed by this institution, it may be of interest to many of our settlers of both races if we give a brief description of the institution. The college, standing back some distance from the road, is probably the handsomest pile of Wildings in Canterbury outside the city of Christchurch, The interior is plainly but comfortably furnished throughout, reminding one of the internal arrangements of a large English public school. The ornamental grounds are maintained in apple-pie order, and present a picture unrivalled without the city limits. The curriculum embraces a variety of subjects, and though primarily the subjects treated of in the lecture hall bear relation to agricultural and pastoral training, instruction is given upon such subjects as land surveying and levelling, veterinary science (practical), carpentering and black-smithing, chemistry in relation to soils and generally upon all branches which must be of great use to the farmer or runholder in after life. The' sciences of cheese and butter making and the rearing of poultry are not branches of industry which will be respectively in the near future great factors in the prosperity of the colony. The appointments for storing machinery, of which the college possesses only the latest and most up-to-date implements, the stables, granaries, etc., are commodious and in perfect order. The dairy, cheese factory, and appurtenances are also well kept. The farm itself comprises an area of some 700 acres, situate in one of the most healthy parts of the Canterbury plains,' and is admirably adapted for the growth of cereals.and root crops. The stock on the farm consists of the best sheep, cattle, and pigs of the’ most popular breeds. A gentleman who has recently paid a visit to the college informs us that the crops and stock are looking splendid, and that there is feed in abundance. The fees for students are fixed at a very low rate —. viz., £4O per annum, out of which the college authorities pay the return fare of students to the nearest port to their homes in N.Z. once in every year. With an institution such as this ably managed by thp director, Mr J. Bayne, M.A., and his talented staff ? why should not the Government set apart a email portion of the waste

lands of this district, of which there are thousands of acres at present lying idle, as an endowment for the purpose of enabling the Native youth to reap the advantages which this college confers ? . The receptive faculty of the Natives is such that if a few were able oach year to obtain the benefits of the training these would in a few years, by disseminating the information thus gained by them among their less fortunate kinsmen, accomplish more good than by the establishment of isolated technical schools, which treat of only a few subjects. At any rate, we commend to the Minister in charge of Native affairs the utilization of this institution for the practical education of the Maori youth, and trust that the Government may exploit the idea by sending three or four of the most promising youths from one or more of the several Maori colleges in the North Island.

The schooner Waiapu arrived from the Coast early this morning. There will soon be 171 wires attached to the local telephone exchange. Many sheep are now landed at Picton, and driven overland to Christchurch. There were rnoro deaths in Sydney last year from typhoid than there were from plague. No further news came to hand last night in regard to the death of Miss Biddell, at Araroa. Captain Edwin telegraphed at noon yesterday: Moderate westerly winds; rise; poor tides. Owing to the Caledonian sports being held to-morrow, the shops in town will close at noon. Sporting news will be found on the front page of to-day’s issue,, and 'Frisco mail news on the fourth page. A new advertisement from Messrs Allan and Jones will be given in to-mor-row’s issuo. The Mararoa, now speeding on the way to Sydney, last week made a record trip between Lyttelton and Wellington, To-day is the last day to apply for exemption from vaccination. About a hundred exemptions were granted yesterday. There was an enormous crowd at the wharf last night, when the local troops left to be present at the welcome to the Imperial troops at Napier. The later returns of the country division of the Harbor Board election give increased majorities to Messrs Hepburn and Cooper. Mr Joyce is asking for a scrutiny of the votes cast at the election on Monday, when there was only a difference of one vote between the three leading candidates. A number of Gisborne people arc likely to. leave for Auckland on Saturday night to see the Imperial troops. The whole of the troops will be seen at Auckland next week.

By the ’Frisco mail, telegraphed from Auckland yesterday, a long message was given as to what the American papers had been saying about the Queen. The point of it all is that her mental faculties had given way.

A temporary transfer of the license of the Record Reign hotel was yesterday granted by the Licensing Bench, the license being transferred from Mr George Anyon to Mr Woolbright. Mr R. N. Jones appeared for the applicant.

A most successful stock sale was held by Messrs Wyllie and Mason and Messrs Common, Shelton and co. at Puhatikotiko yesterday, a report of which appears in another column. It was the inauguration of what will be in all probability a periodical sale of very considerable importance to Poverty Bay. The puffing of the dredge engine yesterday. afternoon frightened • the horse attached to Mr Wilson’s milk cart, when milk was being supplied to the Government trawler Doto. The wheels of the trap had the chain affixed, but the horse dashed across the road and got mixed up with the wire fence. Both shafts of the cart were broken. A good two hours’ fun was provided at the Theatre Royal last • evening by the Beckford and Taylor Novelty' Company. The ventriloquil sketches by Professor Beckford were received with much enthusiasm, and the illusions by Mr R. Taylor were considered most mystifying. The Punch and marionettes by Professor Beckford were much enjoyed. At the Sports to-morrow, the Company intend giving an exhibition. An accident occuredon the Haiti yesterday’ afternoon. J, Leary was riding along, the. road, and the horse collided with a milk-cart, driven by Mr Willoughby. Mr Leary was thrown, and-sustained nasty wounds about the face, in addition to a broken rib. He was conveyed to the hospital, where he is progressing favourably. Mr Leary has not long been resident in the district, and was married a few weeks ago. The American Tobacco Company have just issued a very handsome show card advertising their famous brand of- Old Judge tobacco. The picture represents the seven Edwards and is most tastefully and artistically arranged; His Majesty King Edward VII. and his predecessors are prominently displayed, the 'length of the reign of each being shown on the card. The latter is up'to date and of historical interest, and the American Tobacco Co. are to be complimented upon its production. A pleasant evening was given by the City Band last night, the band-room being connected with the telephone wires, and a concert being given for the enjoyment of those whose places were connected with the line. The music was heard along the line from Tikitiki to Hahgaroa'and Wliatatutu, Arowhana and other private lines being included. The following selections were among the items played by the band, which was jinder the conductorsbip of Bandmaster Morrison“ Songs of Yore,” “Anvil Chorus” (Trovatore), “ Beleaguered ”, (fantasia), “Theßrides,” “Love’s Reverie,” “Vital Spark,” “Challenge” (march), and “Bed of Roses ” (waltz). The concert was given with the kind permission of the Chiefs. Postmaster Mr Sampson. - , .