TRAINING IN FORESTRY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20087, 26 October 1928, Page 14

TRAINING IN FORESTRY.

SINGLE SCHOOL ADVOCATED.

REPORT OF CONFERENCE. PAL.MERSTON NORTH SUGGESTED. [IIY TELEGRAPH.—PRESS ASSOCIATION] \VELLINGTO N. Tli u red ay. "While wc have been impressed by the efforts of the university colleges to develop forestry courses under extremely difficult conditions, we have no hesitation in saying that the existence of two parallel schools of forestry, in the country is thoroughly uneconomical arid unsound, states the report of tho Empire Foiestiy Conference with regard to forestry education in New Zealand.

"Wc are unanimously of opinion that one of the two existing schools should be abolished and tho resources of both concentrated at one centre," continues the report. "It is essential to have the best men possible in the service* and tho piesent method is not likely to achieve this result. The resources of both Auckland and Canterbury Colleges should bo combined in ono institution. The key to the position lies in an adequately trained staff. All teaching resources should b<» concentrated in ono first-class school. "In view of the limited time at its disposal the committee has been unable to go into certain aspects of the question sufficiently closely to justify a definite opinion as to the best centre for a single school.

"Wo regard the training laid down by tho university syllabus for* tho decree course as in the main very satisfactory. Our only criticism is that it goes rather further in pure science, particularly physics, than is really necessary, while forest engineering is not sufficiently covered. Tho latter criticism would hn fully met by making forest engineering, a specialised subject which is now optional, a compulsory part of the course, and we recommend that this should be done.

"The committee does not consider the associates' course of much value to the Dominion, and it ought not to be allowed to interfere with training for the degree.

"In regard to the ranger course, although it might ho necessary tliut it should he conducted by the same instructors, the curriculum should be quite dis tinct from that of degree course students, and should bo conducted in separate classes.

"Should it be found impossible to reach agreement as to which of the two existing schools should bo selected the committeo is of opinion that it would be better to abolish both and make a fresh start by concentrating all the available resources in a single new school 011 neutral ground. Palmerston North* would be worth consideration."