The Howard Bequest.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume X, Issue 243, 30 October 1920, Page 5

The Howard Bequest.

REPORT ON PETITION. HAWKE’S BAY FAVOURED. MINISTER REMAIN’S OBDURATE. (Special to ‘‘Tribum'.”) Parliament Buildings, Oct. 29. The report of the Petitions Committee on petitions from Hawke’s Bay respect ing the Howard bequest was tabled to day. The commit tee expressed tin opinion that under the terms of the will the Government are under no obligation to establish an experimental farm or training farm on the estate left by Mr. Howard, or in any particular part of the Dominion. Notwithstanding this fsict Mr. Howard had in his mind th< establishment of an experimental ot training farm on the said estate. The committee aro doubtful of the suitability of the said estate for the purposes the testator had in mind, and therefore are of opinion that, the establishment of a suitable experimental farm somewhere in the Hawke’s Bay district would be in keeping with the wish and intention of the, late Mr. Howard.

THE TESTATOR’S DESIRE. Mr. Brown thought the Government could not have had before it nil the facts placed before the committee when it decided to establish a college at Levin. Mr. Howard left a will directing that the bequest should be applied according to instructions given his solicitor. A person in the employ of the firm of solicitors who drew up the will, Mr. Wyvern Wilson, had replied to a telegram from Mr. Wright, the chairman of the committee, that it was quite clear that Mr. Howard’s intention was to have a college on his own land. He understood that the farm was not suitable for such a purpose, but if the farm were sold and a college established in some other part of Hawke’s Bay that would probably meet the testator’s desire. There was an urgent need for such a college in New Zealand, as people were even sending their sons to New South Wales for agricultural education.

NEGLECTED EAST COAST. Mr. Campbell said the East Coast had been neglected, and now it was even proposed to take from them that which they had, so as to benefit the West Coast, which already had a State farm What encouragement would there be for men to give estates to the Government if their wishes were not respected? He believed the Howard estate could be used successfully, and the college should be on the testator’s farm or in the immediate vicinity.

ESTATE COULD BE USED. Mr. G. Hunter wished to enter a pro test against the proposal to establish a college elsewhere than in Hawke’s Bay. There was no legal obligation or Ihe Government, but anyone who hai’ read the notes must “realise it was the intention of the testator that a colleg. should be established in Hawke’s Bay and upon the estate which he had left to the Government. Though a large proportion of the land was not. suitable for an agricultural college, there were 2900 to 5000 acres which might be used for the purpose, and the balance could bo farmed to provide funds for the college. The estate was witnin 15 miles of a railway station, part of the road was good while the other part could be made good. The estate had not been farmed on up-to date lines, and income could be largely increased by a different system of management. The funds derivable from that part of the farm would be more than sufficient to carry on an agri cultural college. The people of the district were feeling very strongly that in this matter they were not receiving from the Government the consideration to which they were entitled. That part of the report- which suggested the establishment of an experimental farm was not giving effect to the wishes of the testator or of the petitioners, An agricultural college vras needed in Hawke’s Bav.

MINISTER UNYIELDING. The Minister of Agriculture, Hon. W. Nosworthy, said that, with all tho side issues that had boon drawn in with respect to the notes that had come to light within the last few days, the Government had no other course than to abide by the will. They had the opinion of the Crown solicitors and others that the Government was justified in using the money for a college where it would lie to the best benefit of the whole of the people of, New Zealand, and it had decided to establish a college at Weraroa. The Government had looked at the mutter from a broad national point of view, that ought to be applied to every education question. The Government had been prompted by no parochial feeling, and it had the kindliest feeling for Hawke’s Bay. From opinions expressed it scorned that the people of Hawke’s Bay had been stirred up to think otherwise. The Government had given £23,000 to £25,000 for the relations of the Into Mr. Howard, who had been left unprovided for. There did not seem to be any thanks for that.

WOULD HAND MONEY BACK. He was not saying it as a threat or in any carping spirit, hut, if there was to be this constant friction so that they could not get along and establish a college at Levin where they had the land and buildings, the Government would have to consider whether it would not be an easier way out for the Government to hand back to trustees or relatives the money that had been bequeathed, and to leave the Government to carry out in some bthor way the designs that it had in view. The constant friction led one almost to that conclusion. Hawke’s Bay members had done everything they could to have the matter settled. If any blame were to be taken he would take it himself. It came to this, that Cabinet would have to consider the matter from the point of view he had mentioned.

MR. FIELD SURPRISED. Mr. Field (Otaki) said he had heard the evidence of the principal witness, Mr. Lee, and was surprised, in view of the nature of the replies given, that the committee had reported as it did. Afterwards, it is true, the telegram from Mr. Wilson was received. There was no definite evidence that Mr. Howard wished to have a college on his estate, which was not suitable for the purpose. The Government had come to the right decision in deciding to use the endowment for the purpose of a college on the Weraron State farm, which was handy to all parts of the North Island and already- had buildings that were necessary.

SHOULD RECONSIDER. Mr. MeNieol (Pahiatua) asked whether, if a land-owner at Otaki hnd left an estate for a college, Mr. Field would have been so willing to establish it elsewhere for the benefit of the people of New- Zealand. Mr. Field merely wished to sec the college established where it would benefit his own district. lu view- of the facts that had been placed before, the Government, further independent reports should be obtained as to the suitability- of the estate. He did not think the Mininster had acted from any motive other than a conscientious desire to do the best thing, but he should now reconsider the matter. Mr. Lysnar (Gisborne) supported the report.

DANGEROUS PRECEDENT. Mr. Reed (Bay of Islands) said it would be creating a most dangerous precedent if the wishes of testators were not scrupulously regarded. The Government might be quite within its legal rights, hut from the viewpoint. of a moral right, he did not see how the Government could act in the face of the. committee’s report. It should refer the report, again to the committee and reopen the whole question. Mr. Hawken (Egmont) thought, the money would not. be sufficient to found a really good school, whereas if used nt Weraroa it would provide a fine college. The report was tabled.