The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1891.

Lyttelton Times, Volume LXXVI, Issue 9493, 15 August 1891, Page 4

The Lyttelton Times. SATURDAY, AUGUST 15, 1891.

The Board of Advice in connection with the School of Agriculture, recently constituted by the Board of Governors of Canterbury College, has begun its duties in a manner which is likely to command the confidence of the public. At its meeting on Tuesday, several resolutions were passed, and Committees appointed, which should have a very important effect on the future management of the School, and the position it will occupy in the educational institutions of the Colony. The personnel of the Farm Committee and the College Committee is in each instance especially fortunate. The former includes Mr M'Millan, who was Chairman of the Commission that reported on the School of Agriculture, and who will, doubtless, in his present position boar carefully in mind the recommendations previously mado to the Government. The Board is fortunate in having as the farther advisers regarding the outdoor departments of the School, such experienced farmers as Messrs Boag, Overton and Garforth. The last-named gentleman holds his seat in virtue of his present position as President of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association, whilst Messrs M'Millan and Boag are both active members of the same institution. A Committee better qualified to advise the Board of Governors regarding farming matters it would, therefore, he difficult to obtain. Under their direction it may be anticipated that the school will occupy a prominent position, not only in its primary capacity as a training establishment, but also as an institution whore practical experiments in reference to the farming industries of the Colony can be carried out under the most advantageous circumstances. What we may term the Management Committee will hold the same position regarding the internal departments of the School’s work, as the Farm Committee will hold to the outside, and comprises Messrs Garforth, Malet and Overton. Mr Malet, in his position aa Chairman of the Board of Governors, will act as the connecting link between that body and the Board of Advice. Matters relating to the finances, endowments, scholarships, and estimates of income and expenditure will be under the supervision of the Hon W. Eolleston and Messrs M'Millan and Garforth. Mr Rolleston’s knowledge and experience, both aa Superintendent of the Province and as a practical farmer, will be of great value in various ways.

The public will learn with satisfaction that the Board of Advice has promptly faced the financial position of the school, and approached the Board of Governors with a request for a statement of the endowments and the mode in which they have been applied. We gather from the resolution that this is intended as a step towards settling the question raised by the Royal Commission as to the expenditure from the Agricultural school endowment funds of <£7964 on the Canterbury College buildings. Into thi s question—a debateable one, despite the strong opinions expressed by the Commission—we do not propose to enter. ' It may reasonably be anticipated, however, that the Board of Governors will meet the request for a statement of accounts in a strictly businesslike way, and do its utmost to facilitate a settlement. The matter probably rests on an interpretation of the law, and there should be no serious difficulty in reaching a satisfactory and final adjustment. The fact that the Board of Advice is also moving in connection with the establishment of scholarships at the School of Agriculture will commend itself to the farming community. Much has already been done in the way of popularising the School by lowering the annual fee from <£6s to £4O; and as it becomes more widely known that the benefits of the school are available for this very moderate payment, a larger attendance may be anticipated. A properly organised system of scholarships, open to successful competitors from any part of the Colony, will be a boon, and will really secure to the young men of ISTew Zealand the advantages derivable from what was in the first place endowed as a Canterbury institution. By continuing its association with the Canterbury College, the School of Agriculture will remain part of an institution affiliated with the New Zealand University; and its students will be able to take the certificates in agriculture which Sir Robert Stout has induced the University to offer. The Board of Governors has been asked, we notice, to state what funds are available for the establishment of scholarships, and as the Chairman of the Finance Committee of the Board of Advice (the Hon W. Rolleston) is an enthusiast on matters relating to agricultural education, we may expect something practical in this direction. We notice that the report of the Royal Commission, which is before us, recommended the institution of scholarships, the reduction of Jiees, and the appointment of a farm manager. Those were the practical recommendations of the Commission regarding the management. Already the fees have been reduced and an efficient farm manager appointed. The Board of Advice is now moving for the institution of scholarships. The practical suggestions of the Commission have thus been given effect to without legislative interference of any kind, and under the new order of things the school should enjoy a successful and useful career.