HOWARD ESTATE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XX, Issue 161, 27 June 1930, Page 9

HOWARD ESTATE

ADVISORY BOARD'S ACTIVITIES PROGRESS REPORT TO BOROUGH COUNCIL. At the request of Mr. J. H. Absolum, representative of the Hastings Borough Council on the Howard Estate Advisory Board, the secretary presented the following progress report to the council last evening:— “The board, in endeavouring to give effect to the late Mr. Josiah Howard’s wishes for the establishment of a training school for cadets on Smedley Station, and the general utilisation of the property for the purposes of agricultural education, has encountered numerous difficulties, which, unfortunately, tended to a slight delay in establishing the school.” he wrote. “The board considered, some months ago, the plans of an up-to-date woolshed for the station. Tenders for this work were called, and tho shed has now been completed. This work is a decided improvement to tho station. The woolshod is up-to-date in every way, and will greatly facilitate work on the property. “After careful consideration of the whole position, tho board recommended the Director-General of Agriculture to agree to the establishment of a training school to which five cadets would be appointed in the first year and an additional five in the second year, bringing the total number of trainees up to ten. “Plans and specifications of a modern accommodation house have been completed and tenders Wilf be called within a few days. At the same time advertisements will appear inviting applications for cadetships from lads between the ages of lo and 18 years. It is intended that the cadetship should extend for a period of two years, during which time, the lads will be given a sound practical training in all branches of farm work. As you are aware, this property comprises approximately 7,700 acres, wintering 9,400 sheep and 600 cattle, whilst 140 acres are under crop. “In addition to the practical training which the cadets will receive, the Director-General of Agriculture has undertaken to arrange, at regular intervals, for officers of his department to visit the station and lecture on various phases of farm work. ‘.‘The property is under the management of Mr. Douglas, who is a sound practical farmer, and considered by the board as eminently suitab'e for carrying out the board’s scheme.

“Tho advertisements referred to will appear in the press at an early date and you can fest assured that tho board is doing everything possible to establish the scheme at the earliest date.” The Mayor said that since tho letter was written the advertisements in question had been published. The report was received.