PROGRESS REPORTED AT MASSEY COLLEGE

Manawatu Times, Volume LIV, Issue 6902, 7 May 1929, Page 5

PROGRESS REPORTED AT MASSEY COLLEGE

COUNCIL MEETS.

WORK TO BE STARTED ON MAIN

BUILDING

The. Massey Agricultural College met vest onlay, Sir George Fowld.s presiding. Others present were Messrs I’. Levi, H. B. Stuckey, H. Morton and Professor Hunter. Professors Peren (principal) and Riddel were also in attendance.

The principal reported that the Flax Research committee, at its annual meeting, had expressed great satisfaction at the progress made in flax research carried on at the college. The estimates for the coming year’s work were presented to the council, and adopted. For the course commencing on May 20, reported the principal, a total of S2 now students had been enrolled. The Students’ Association had entered two teams in the Manawatu Rugby Union’s competitions. The farm bridge over the Tiritea stream was in course of construction, and it would probably be available for the large number of visitors who visited the college during the Winter Show. Professor Riddet (Dean of Animal Husbandry) reported that there was an excellent growth of young grass due to the very favourable weather experienced lately, and that the yield from the herds had been very satisfactory during the past season. Several good records had been made by individual cows, and a Friesian had put up the creditable record of 5761bs of butterfat in 355 days, having calved on March 1, 1928, and again on March 2S, 1929. The last of the fat lambs had been disposed of at satisfactory prices .and the breeding ewes were all in excellent condition. The autumn litters of pigs had been incorporated in the feeding experiments. It was reported that a considerable number of gifts had been received for the college, and among them was an enlarged framed photograph of the late Rt. Hon. W. F. Massey, presented by Dame Christina Massey. Books for the library had been forwarded by Mr. R. W. D. Robertson, of New Plymouth. Mr. G. N. Bell, of Karere, had donated a small flock of purebred poultry. Sir George Fowlds reported that a deputation had waited on the Prime Minister concerning the grant for the erection of the permanent main college buildings, comprising lecture rooms, laboratories and other facilities, which, if was proposed to put in hand on the site of the old McHardy homestead. The deputation had met with a favourable reception, and, the College Council was authorised to call for tenders, in two or three weeks, when plans and specifications would be compldte. It was stated that the expenditure involved was very substantial and the new block wmuld take about two years to complete, but it was hoped to have portions available before then. In the meantime, reported the principal (Professor Peren) tho work of the college could be carried on in the temporary accommodation available.