AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXI, Issue 18888, 22 December 1924, Page 12

AGRICULTURAL SCHOOL.

LOGAN CAMPBELL CHAIR.

APPOINTING A PROFESSOR.

APPLICATIONS INVITED.

ASSISTANCE FROM ABROAD.

The first practical step toward the establishment of a school of agriculture for this province has been taken by the Council of the Auckland University College. Applications for the position of professor of agriculture for the Logan Campbell chair have been invited from overseas countries, the notices having been despatched to Britain, Canada, and the United States of America.

When the appointment has been made the new professor will be expected to take up his duties on June 1, 1925, or as soon thereafter as possible. The appointment will be for five years, with renewal thereafter indefinitely until the arrangement is terminated by six months' notice by either party to the contract.

The salary is to be £900 a year, rising, to £1000 by annual increments of £25. Traveling expenses will be allowed on a specified scale.

It ::s of special interest to note that the College Council, in making the appointment, v ill give weight to practical experience and knowledge of dairy science and research, so that the services of the new school may quickly have an influence on the great primary industry of the province.- The new professor will be re3uired to organise the school and to give irect theoretical and practical instruction and conduct examinations for all divisions and grades of the subject. A special effort is to bo made to secure a man capable of inspiring the confidence of agriculturists and of developing in their minds a full appreciation of the advantages of scientific education, and of securing their co-operation in the future development of the school on the best possible lines of modern agricultural instruction and progress. Go-operation of Experts, The council of the Auckland University College has been impressed by the readiness with which the foremost agriculturists in Canada, the United States, 'and Great Britain have agreed to afford expert assistance, not only in the matter of reporting upon national applicants for the position of professor of agriculture at Auckland, but in giving practical and appreciable advice as to the establishment of an efficient school of agriculture in a New Zealand province that has made remarkable progress in the dairying industry. Such advice from other countries should be very serviceable, since each one of those mentioned has had its difficulties and initial errors in the promotion of agricultural education. A good start is half the journey to success. A special committee of accredited experts in agricultural education in Canada will report to the Auckland College Council on the Canadian applications. A similar arrangement has been made in respect of applications from Britain. Representative educational authorities in the United States have also made "gratifying offers of assistance" to the Auckland University administrators in connection with the establishment of the projected Auckland school of agriculture, and much valuable information has been supplied. It is clear that in the realm of higher education the friendly alliance of the English-speaking communities fronting the Pacific is real, and very pleass.nt in spirit and service.

One of the outstanding aims of the Auckland University authorities is to obtain the co-operation of practical men and associations in promoting the successful establishment of the new schools of agriculture and forestry, i The -council is keeping in close touch with all practical interests and is in no way hesitant about seeking the advice of experience. This is as it should be and promises well for the future.

Farm Practice and Experiments. It appears to be certain that the College Council will not rush into heavy expenditure in acquiring land for the purpose of providing farm practice for students of the school of agriculture. Such practice is, of course, essential, but there is no reason why it should not be obtained without the acquisition of a large area of land. Even giants must creep before they run, and there is wisdom in a mqdest beginning to all enterprises. Representative opinion generally favours co-operation with and through the Government and its Department of • Agriculture in providing opportunities for farm practice and experimental work for the agricultural school students at Ruakura experimental farm. There is scope at that excellent, instructional station for a further, development of its area and service, and it is hoped that E.uakura and the school of agriculture together will make notable achievement in the agricultural progress of the Auckland district.