AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVI, Issue 175, 25 June 1926, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE.

TO BE SITUATED IN NORTH ISLAND.

REPLY TO CANTERBURY DEPUTATION*

Replying yesterday at Wellington to a deputation representing the Board of Governors of Lincoln College, Canterbury, the Prime Minister (lit. Hon. J. G. Coates) stated that it could be taken" as settled that the Government was odmmitted to a central college of agriculture, and that several commissions on education had recommended that it should be situated in the North Island.

The deputation comprised Hon. D. Buddo, member of Parliament for Kaiapoi, Mr H. A. Knight, chairman Of the Board of Governors of Lincoln College, Dr C. Chilton, Government nominee on the board, Dr Hilgendorf, principal of Lincoln College, and Mr H. r S. S. Kyle, member for Iticcarton. Mr Buddo, in introducing the deputation, drew attention to tho position Lincoln College had attained, and to its long record of successful work. The Board of-Governors ofrthe college was under the impression that the college could supply the needs of the Dominion in agricultural education for some years to come, provided the Government would come to its assistance in having the institution brought up-to-date and the staff enlarged. The college in the past had been carrying on practically without' Government assistance, its income from endowments amounting to about £4OOO a year. At present there was a large waiting list of students, and it was thought that the time had come for the Government to give some assistance to the board. Mr Knight wanted to know what the position of Lincoln would be if a new agricultural college were set up in the North Island. Would they still be able to confer degrees? It had been estimated that £40,000 was required to bring Lincoln up to a state of efficiency. Dr Chilton called attention to the fact that several educational commissions had reported that there was room for only one agricultural college 'in Now Zealand. Mr Buddo sumamrised the needs of Lincoln College as follow: (1) Increased accommodation, which would enable them to take all the students offering. (2) If another college were set up, Lincoln should suffer no lowering of its status. (3) A larger teaching staff. • PRIME MINISTER’S REPLY. Replying to the deputation, the Prime Minister (Right Hon. J. G. Coates) said it had been definitely settled that there was to be one central agricultural college in New Zealand even if the question of the selection of a site was still open to discussion. The Government had made up its mind, but a statement on the subject by the Minister of Agriculture had been delayed owing to the arrival of the Canterbury deputation. The matter of an agricultural college had been discussed for at least 20 years, and for the last five or six years the question had been acute and difficult. Rightly or wrongly, the Government had now put the matter beyond all doubt. Lincoln College had been kept in mind, but tho Government had never considered it except in connection with the reports of the various commissions which had recommended that the central college be in ■ +he North Island. After negotiations with the interested people the Government had had it clearly put before them that Lincoln should hnvo adequate equipment to carry on the work it bad been doing in the past. Various Ministers had seen the colleges and realised that the staff and students were working under unsatisfactory conditions. °He was unable to commit the Government, but ho could assure the deputation that Lincoln College would be treated as a part of the combined agricultural education system of tho Dominion. , T . Mr Coates asked whether the Lincoln College Board of Governors wanted an annual grant or one large grant to cover the capital cost of tho proposed improvement. It seemed to him that the capital cost was the main item to be considered. Mr Kniglit said the board wanted an annual grant, so that they could maintain a larger teaching staff, the capital expenditure could be spread over a number of £ears. . The Prime Minister said, m conclusion, that he was afraid the discussion had not materally altered the position. The Government had mgde up its mind on the" subject, and the Lincoln College Board would have to come in with the Government in the matter.

MARTON PLOUGHING MATCH

SUCCESSFUL FIXTURE

The annual ploughing match under the auspices of the Marton branch of the Farmers’ Union was held on Wednesday anil attracted a large crowd of spectators (reports the Marton Advocate). Over 100 cars were lined up alongside the road, and the gate takings were substantial. A special feature of the fixture was the class for tractor ploughing, for which there were nine competitors. Mr A. Sinclair, of Wairoa, Hawke’s Bay, judged the ploughing, and Mr T. Mitchell, Wanganui, the root crops. The results were as follow-Class A (open to all comers), W. Keith 1, F. King 2; class B (open to those who have not won a first prize in this class), W. Powell 1, N. Williamson 2; class C (plain ploughing, no cut), F. Thompson 1, W. Vincent 2; tractor ploughing (class D), L. Wing 1, E. Frederick 2; best crown on field, F. King; best crown in class B, >V. Powell; best crown in class C, F. Thompson; best crown in class D, L. Wing; best finish in class A, Christie; best ins and outs, class C, Vincent; best finish in class D, L. Wing; best four-horse team, F. Rasmussen (Halcombe) 1, G. Byness i2; best mare or gelding, F. Rasmussen; best turned out team, F. Rasmussen; special prizes, straightort ploughing, W. Keith; best ins and outs on the field, W. Vincent. The challenge silver cup for class A was won by Mr W. Keith, of Halcombe, who has scored three consecutive wins at this competition in Marton. In the root classes the Sutton Cup was won by Messrs Wylie Bros, with 34 points. !

BUTTER AND CHEESE. WEAK MARKETS. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile. Agency Co., Ltd., have received the following cablegram from their London house under date 23rd inst.: Butter: New Zealand 1745, 1765; Australian. 1725; Danish' 170 s, 1725; market weak. Cheese: 945: market slow.