SCOPE OF AGRICULTURAL CLUB

Horowhenua Chronicle, 23 February 1932, Page 8

SCOPE OF AGRICULTURAL CLUB

INVITATION TO ASSIST SCHOOL COURSES. PRACTICAL ADJUNCT TO THEORETICAL TRAINING, “The Education Department is particularly anxious that no opportunity be lost in bringing the school course in agriculture (inclusive of dairy science, root crops, and forestry) into the closest touch with the best farming practice of the district,” stated the Headmaster (Mr R. J. Foss), in Ills report to the Levin District High School Committee last evening. “It is 'recognised that valuable co-operation between the school and the successful farmers of the district might be invited. We have already an Agricultural Club operating successfully in the district, and I think that this body, with an extension qf membership, should be invited to act in an advisory capacity to the Levin D. 11.5. Committee and Headmaster. This body might arrange for demonstrations (on the farm) of good farm practice, and the Secondary boys would attend and observe. Some useful suggestions would probably be i made by the agricultural committee with regard to the school plots and competitions. . Speaking in amplification of his report Mr Foss said .that the representative’of the Board and Department advised that the former had received a communication in which the Department •was anxious that available co-opera-tion be enlisted; and that officer and himself had discussed ways in whieii this might bo brought about. In. regard to the manual training course, the various women’s organisations had been asked to appoint representatives to take an interest in the cooking, and perhaps the woodwork. Parallel with .that, lie had told the officer of the nature and personnel of the Agricultural Club and bow' it was satisfactorily working, and that with an extension of that ’organisation, in his opinion, a great deal of useful work could be done if the farmers were willing. There might, for instance, be some faimei in this district who was a forestry expert and who might be able to give some assistance to .Mr J. Casey, one of the masters in the forestry tuition. As to butter-fat, no doubt expert farmers in this district would place their experience at the disposal of senior pupils. Secondary school boys should attend, take notes, and discuss with the farmers the means they had taken to bring their farming operations to a successful issue. If the farmers were willing to co-operate with the school, a 'practical side could be added to the theoretical side of the school course and nothing but good could ensue. He would suggest that this committee commend to the Agricultural Club this proposal, and arrange with the Club for an extension of its personnel, to undertake some such work as he had , outlined dn his report. It was in the back of the Department’s mind that a policy /be formulated. The Board approved of it, and so did the Headmas- . ter.

The Chairman (Mr A. C. Kennerley) supported the proposal. Mr D. J. MieLean said that, if a letter were forwarded by this Committee to the Club, he would do his best to support it. He thought that the suggestion was quite a good one, and that the idea would take on very Avell in the district.

It was resolved, on the motion of the Chairman, seconded by Mr McLean, to communicate with the Club on the lines set out by the Headmaster.