AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE SITE.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 28 April 1926, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE SITE.

CLAIMS OF SOUTH TARANAKI CONSIDERATION REQUESTED. DAIRY SCHOOL PROPOSED.

“That this meeting of farming and commercial interests of South Taranaki affirms its confidence in the Government to choose the most suitable site for an agricultural co'iege, but trusts that this district may receive its due consideration' before a site is finally selected.” Such was the text of a resolution passed at a meeting: of those interested held in the A. and P. Association’s rooms at Hawera yesterday, and called by the Hawera Chamber of Commerce. In view of subsequent discussion concerning the possibility of establishing a dairy school ■in connection with the laboratory at Hawera. it wa.s also decided that further consideration of the matter be deferred pending the receipt of fuller information, and that the president of the Chamber of Commerce be requested to convene a- meeting for that puirpos*. Mr E. Dixon, president of the Chamber of Commerce, oeupied the chair. H e explained that the meeting had been called as the outcome of a deputation from the chamber which had waited on the A. and P. Association requesting its support in proposed representations requesting that the 'Taranaki district be given due consideration before the final decision, was arrived at as to the location of the dtoposed agricultural college. As a. resijjt of tins- conference it had been, decided that the chamber should call, a public meeting, and representatives of the association had been appointed. Since that meeting the representatives of the chamber had had an informal talk with the Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. 0. J. Hawken, M.P.), and he had not held out much hope of the col'ege being located in Taranaki. Land suitable for agricultural purposes as well as dairying and sheep grazing was required for the college, and such would perhaps be difficult to procure in the district. The Minister had also, said that the Department had received numerous offers of site® between Levin and Wanganui, but nothing definite had as vet been decided upon. !n view of the Minister’s intimations. Mr Dixon thought that the development of the laboratory established at Hawera fo,r the purpose of dairying research should be concentrated upon. The. speaker/ commended the work of the laboratory, which, he stressed, was serving exceedingly useful purposes. He referred to the reserve at Mokoia,

which he understood was to provide an endowment for a dairy school, arid also the accrued revenue from endowment lands at Man a in. He thought that funds from these sources might he used In the direction of advancing the laboratory. Pie felt that what was required m the district more than the agricultural College was a school to carry out the work of the laboratory on a much wider scale. OTHFJI DISTRICT CLAIMS. In moving, oil behalf of Mr W.. G. Walkley. the first of the resolutions indicated, Mr F. W. Horner intimated that when the subject had first been discussed by the Chamber of Commerce it had been considered in the light of the fact that other districts were urg-

ing claims upon the authorities, and the subsequent representations of the chamber only gsked that South Taranaki should receive consideration m common with other districts. The motion was seconded by Mr K. Dnnn. Explaining previous, representations on the matter, Mr Dunn said he bad been one of a deputation which, in an interview with the. Minister, had intimated that only one college was being sought, and that the deputation was not particular as to where it was 'Oeated Later it was understood that the. college was to be located somewhere in the vicinity of Marton. but .since investigations bad commenced other districts had put forward claims. He therefore thought it was quite reasonable to ask that Taranaki receive due consideration, though he "wished to point oiit that no effort was being made to force the Government s hands. He felt that if an agricultural college cou d he. established it would: amply justify its existence, and. referring to the vane cf such an institution, instanced the progress made in,Denmark, which dated from the establishment of facilities for agricultural education there. Mr H. G. Dickie, M.P., said that at a conference held to consider the •location of the college he had been in favour of Marton on account of vts convenient locality and the suitability of the soil. It had been apparent at the conference that the dispute Hiad centred down to the Marton-Bulls area, and he had supported the Marton proposal for the reasons mentioned and also on accout of the closer location of Marton to Taranaki and its convenience to the railway. A subsequent movement had' been mooted in Palmerston North, where it had been indicated that an endeavour would be made to raise a loan of £lo,ooo_ to assist the college if it was situated there. There was also a certain amount of agitation to have the college placed at Levin, where the Government possessed certain land 111 " . Weraroa farm. In view of the possibility of the latter place being chosen if too much opposition was shown to the Marton proposal, he advised that it would be'in* the best interests of Taranaki to support Marton.

TECHNICAL SCHOOL’S POSITION. Referring to the suggestion' made by the chairman, Mr Dickie explained that the reserve at Mokoia, comprising 69 acres, had been granted in 1896 as an endowment for a dairy school. With the exception of about 16 acres of plantation, the reserve was leased. If a dairy school was formed the revenue should be available.

Mr R. S. Sage, chairman of .the Haw-era Technical High School Board, pointed out that provision had been made at the school for the study of dairy science, Mr Veal©, the dairy scientist, collaborating with the school staff. He trusted that if any action was taken on the lines suggested for the establishment of a dairy school nothing would be adopted which'would be derogatory to the interests of the work being carried out at the Technical High School. During ensuing discussion Mr Dixon expressed the opinion that further consideration, of the matter should be deferred until fuller inquiry had been made. He accordingly moved the resolution already indicated.

Tn seconding, Mr P. Bond said the consideration given, to the location of the agricultural college afforded 1 an object lesson in the" value of team work. He emphasised that the Chamber of Commerce had not sought to override any action taken by other interests, bat had wished to co-operate in reaching a solution which would secure the best possible benefits. The chamber bad no wish to endeavour to conduct the affairs of farmers, but if the latter required assistance in any proposal for the common, welfare they could Pole to the chamber to do everything within its power to further such protects. .

Mr Dunn expressed his pleasure in noting the remarks passed by Mr Bond, and said he wished that all

chambers of commerce throughout the Dominion were prompted by similar motives. He thought it quite right that chambers of commerce and the farming community should endeavour to co-operate in all matters of common interest. He suggested _ that Mt Dickie be requested to investigate the position concerning the reserves of the district and the possibility of securing revenue to help in the upkeep of a dairy school. Mr Dickie expressed his willingness to act as suggested and. referring to the point raised by Mr Sage, gave the opinion that the dairy laboratory and the technical high school should be able to work in conjunction.