THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 14 March 1925, Page 2

THE AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

* COMMISSION VISITS WERAROA. FARM. NOTHING TO COMMUNICATE. As tlie result of the promise given to the deputation from the Levin and District Educational Conference, which last Friday waited ou die Agricultural Education Commission, then sitting in Wellington, the members of the Commission, fourteen in number, yesterday visited the Central Development Farm, for the purpose of judging of its suitability as a she for the proposed Agricultural college. The Commission, which is composed of the members of the Board of Agriculture,—Sir James Wilson (chairman), and Messrs G. and D. Marshall, J, Begg, McLennan, Westenm, perry, Grant, Avcrill, and Pike, whh die addition of Mr W, S. La Trol.e (Supt. of Technical Education), Mr T. H, Cockayne (Director of the Fields Division), and the Hon. G. Fowlds (University Senate), arrived by the Auckland express from Auckland at 11.20 a.rn., the train being specially stopped at Levin to allow them to detrain. They were, met by the manager of the Central Development Farm (Mr J. F. Shephard), the Mayor of Levin (Mr T. Hobson), Messrs .1. D. Adams and 3. W. Procter (Levin District High School IGommhtee), Crs. Roe and Parker (Borough council), A. Mcl.eavey (Ohan Farmers’ Union), G Tally (president Farmers’ Union), C. L Darkness (president Dairy Farmers’ Union), and A. C. Holms (president Chamber of Commerce). . A telegram was received from Mr Field regretting that the short notice made it impossible for him to be present. Cai’s being in readiness, they were driven through die town, die route following Oxford street, Queen Street, Wemroa, Hoad, up Beach Road to die Main south Comity road, which was lulluwed as far as Buller road, the Farm being readied via Buller and Bruce Roads, The party proceeded immediately to die suggested site for the Agrieuluiral College, which is a wide low ridge, at the back of the Farm, with a beautiful background of native bush and plantation. Here the ears were drawn up while the lay-out, of the Farm was explained to die members of the Commission, by the manager, after which the splendid herd of Red Foils was inspected. Lunch was partaken of at the Farm at 1 p.m., following wiiich the Commission held a short conference, to which the press was nut admitted, the remainder of the time being spent in inspection of the stock, and various points of interest on the Farm. Whilst the Commission naturally would not make any statement as iu conclusions which they may have aimed at to date, various members stated that they were very impressed by the potentialities of the Central 'Development Farm as a site for the Agricultural College. They were, they stated, considerably impressed by the stock, but even more by the value represented by tlie land. ’ Tins area of 804 acres, including 68 acres scenic reserve, has a capital value of £70,680, the unimproved value being £48,240, and Hie value (jf the improvements £22,440. Speaking to a “Chronicle” representative, the chairman of the Commission, Sir James Wilson, said that whatever they might wish to say as individuals, they were bound by the fact that, they had been appointed to make a confidential report to the Government. They were acting, he explained, m a fiduciary capacity, and indeed, as a matter’oi fact, had not yet arrived at any decision. They had just been in the Auckland province, where, they had taken evidence both at Auckland and at the Ruakura State Farm, and would proceed from Levin to the Wairarapa, and then on to Christchurch, after which they would submit their report to the Government.

Asked as to the nature of the report which the Commission had been instructed to make, Sir James Wilson proved absolutely uncommunicative. The pressman asked if such report, in view Qf the fact that they might recommend more thaci one college for the North Island, would be a double-barrelled one, viz., whether they would recommend certain sites in case two colleges were decided on as being desirable, and another (and possibly a different one), should one site only be advocated. The chairman was not to be drawn: “I can only repeat,” he said smilingly, “that ai the present moment we cannot make any statement whatever. I cannot even promise that <nnr report, when made, will be made public. It will be a confidential, report, and it will be for the Government to decide on that point.” The Commission departed by tne Napier Express for Wellington at 3.15 p.m.