Progress at Massey Agricultural College

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6538, 21 February 1928, Page 9

Progress at Massey Agricultural College

Work Already Well Advanced Professor Peren Confident of Future The address delivered at yesterday’s Rotary Club gathering was one of particular interest to farmers, and, indeed, to every person Interested in the progress of the Mapawatu district. Professor G. S. Peren. recently-appointed principal of the Massey Agricultural College, was the speaker. ‘ He gave a most detailed and Interesting outline of tho aims and progress of the College up to the present time, and expressed'his conviction that the Institution was destined to become one c|f the most Important educational centres of the Dominion. .

President John Murray Introduced the speaker. , “I have been asked to say a few words on the function and aims, and the present state of development of the Massey Agricultural College and if gives me great pleasure to do so because-1 am particularly anxious that the people of Palmerston North shall ’take a keen interest' in the College and give it their full support, said Professor Poren in opening his address. I am told that a number of people would welcome a short account of our present position and of the linos along which we hope to develop and this I shall endeavour to'give you in the short time at my disposal.”’ Two Branches of Work. '■‘ln the first place the activities of the College will be divided into two main branches of work, teaching and research. Apart from the urgent need for research in many branches of the industry, this arrangement will make more complete use of the organisation set up and the research work will tend to keep the teaching more in lino and up-to-date. In the absence of research there is always the danger of an institution getting into a lifeless condition so far as its teaching is concerned.” ■ Degree and Short Courses. "The teaching will be again divided into courses for university degrees and into so-called short courses. Tho former are intended primarily for mon who intend to take up Agricultural Science as a profession, that is, to become research workers, teachers, hold instructors, technical experts with commercial firms, agricultural journalists etc. They also provide valuable additions to the practical training of the man who wiil be farming for a lying and are recommended as such to those who can afford the necessary time. The'Bachelors Course (Bachelor Agricultural Science) normally occupies four years and the Masters Course an additional year. *' Tho short courses arc far less involved and lengthy than the foregoing and are designed to supply the practical man with tho Scientific - or Technical information which he wants but finds so difficult ,to obtain at home. •Practical Short Courses. “Of this typo of course we hope to be in a position to offer the following during tho coming winter:—A short course in Dairy Farming, a course in butter and cheese manufacture, and a herd testing course. Four Further Appointments. “Next year, we hope to be in a position to'offcr a course dealing with those subjects of particular interest to tho sheep fanner,” continued Professor Poren. “The first term of tho coming Academic year opens on 2nd March. Those students who last year were attending the schools, of Agriculture at Auckland and Victoria University Colleges will now come to this College to complete their courses.. In addition, n largo number of enquiries about short courses have been received and a gratifying enrolment is anticipated. “At tho next meeting of the College Council a number cf further appointments to the staff will be mado so as tp enable the various subjects to be taught this year to be given .by men who have specialised in their respective branches. Pending the erection of the permanent College Buildings, work will be carried on in the Batchclar Homestead and in a temporary annexe put up for the purpose.

Research Work. “As regards research, the College has been selected by the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research as the location of the Dairy Research Institute (New Zealand). This institute, under Professor Riddct, will concentrate on problems affecting the dairy industry and, by arrangement with the College, the dairy factory, milking sheds and dairy cattle will bo at the disposal of the research staff thus ensuring full use of stock and equipment which are required in anj case, for instructional purposes. Several highly trained workers have already been appointed to the staif and some preliminary work initiated. In addition to the above, the teaching staff will cany out such research as their other duties allow and further, it is hoped that the centre may bo selected by the Department of Scientific Industrial Research for other major liucs of work.

Present Stage of Development, “As regards our present stage of development, said the “You may remember that the Council of the College took over the Batchelar property on., Ist June of last year. Little work was done before Ist July but since that date much has been accomplished. A farm staff has been engaged and stock and implements have been purchased. The main fiats have been subdivided, fenced and roaded for dairying purposes. ‘ Seventy acres nf heavy land have been moledrained and seventy five acres .have been broken out of grass and cropped. A milking shed with a special testing room attached and designed for both .summer and winter milk production and to meet the needs of both instruction and research has been erected. A calf pen designed for experimental feeding has been built as well as the other appurtenances of a well equipped dairy farm such as a cattle crush, loose box for sick animals etc. The area for pigs has been laid off and a number of movable huts constructed. The Artesian WelL An artesian well has been sunk and a very fine flow nf water obtained which has been piped to the various cow paddocks and the milking shed. Later it will be used to supply the dairy factory and the permanent College buildings. An additional farm cottage has been built and tho existing one renovated. Tho sewerage system for tho College, the factory, and the farm' cottages has been put in and tho supply of gas, necessary for laboratory work, has been laid on. A wooden hutment to provide teaching accommodation additional to tho Batehelar Homestead and another hutment to provide temporary laboratories for tho dairy research workers have been erected in the garden of the old homestead. Both these ‘ huts have been built in sections so that they can be moved and used for farm purposes when no longer required for their present use. Changes in the Homestead. Tho homestead has been adapted to the purpose of studies, lecture rooms and the Eegislrar’s Office. As far as possible all furniture and fittings have been so designed that they can be removed and ptilised in the permanent buildings at a later date. Work has been started on tho Experimental Dairy Factory which will be equipped to deal with problems connected with the manufacture of butter, ’ cheese and casein. “To summonizo our development todate; the farm is now a monetary concern and is stocked with what should prove to bo excellent foundation material for building up good herds and flocks. Arrangements havej been made for the carrying on of both teaching and research pending the provision of permanent equipment. Much other necessary spado work has j been carried out which will considerably facilitate the completion of the initial phase of our development.

Satisfactory Development. "Perhaps we have kept somewhat quiet about our work but, although very essential, it has not been of a particularly interesting nature to the general public and we have preferred not to say too much until we had something worth talking about.” " Our rate of development has, however, been. very satisfactory,” concluded the speaker, “ and, given the same steady progress, you will see very considerable development in the course of the present year. One Of Most Important Institutions In Country. " Personally, I have sufficient confidence in the future of the College to think that it will steadily grow until I it becomes one of the most importanteducational institutions in the country and I do sincerely hope that you will tako a keen interest in it and give it your full support. “ In conclusion I should like to add' that any who may he interested in the detail of the various courses, fees, etc., can obtain copies of the prospectus or College calendar from the Registrar. ’' notarial) F. ,T. Nathan moved a most hearty vote of thanks to Professor Pe.rcn at the conclusion of his address. Question Time. As Professor Perea had still a few j minutes to spare the president announced that the Professor would be

willing to answer any questions which members of the Club cared to put to him. Entrance Qualifications. Rotarian E. Davis asked whether it would be necessary for students wishing to enter t-he college to have passed the matriculation examination. Professor Pcren replied that, as the college was one of the constituted colleges of the University of New Zealand, it would be necessary for a student to matriculate before he could sit for a degree; apart from that, however, a student could take short courses and study without having matriculated. Rotarian Hopwood asked whether a farmer desiring information on any matter of farming interest could obtain this by going to the college. Professor Pcren replied that the college authorities had not boon constituted the advisory body on farming matters to the district. That work was undertaken by the Department of Agriculture, but the college authorities would always be pleased to give any information in their power to farmers, baritone solo —Mr. Lcn. Ba.rnes, "West Country Lad”; 9.35: 'cello