FARM TRAINING

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIV, Issue 22726, 12 May 1937, Page 14

FARM TRAINING

TECHNICAL COLLEGE EXTENSION OF SCHEME DECISION TO LEASE LAND A decision to lease .'36 acres of land at Tamaki from the St. John's College Trust Board for the purpose of extending the scope of agricultural education has been made by the Board of Managers of the Seddon Memorial Technical College. The property, which lies beyond the Moadowbank train terminus and stretches toward the harbour, will be held by the college under a Glasgow lease at a rental of £2OO a year. The decision to lease the property was made bv the board of managers after an explanation of the work of the college in agricultural education had been given by the principal, Mr. G. J. Park. At present, said Mr. Park, the college used two acres of private property at Ijtemuera for practical demonstration purposes, but this area was inadequate. If it was considered that agricultural instruction was an essential feature of the curriculum, there would have to be considerable expansion. The chairman, Miss B. 15. Carnachan, said the matter was one of policy. If the college was to.function merely as an auxiliary to manufacturing industries, development would have to proceed on circumscribed lines. However, if the college was to progress in conformity with New Zealand's obvious destiny as an agricultural country, more scope for practical instruction Avas urgently needed. On the motion of Mr. S. \ella, the board decided to negotiate for the lease and development of the area. It was stated that the area would provide ample room for agricultural plots, poultry demonstration runs and a small dairying section. A Government grant toward the equipment of the land with the necessary buildings Would bo sought at the earliest opportunity.