CANTERBURY.

Otago Witness, Issue 2728, 27 June 1906, Page 33

CANTERBURY.

\ Thfe executive committee of the North Canterbury branch met on 'Wednesday last, Mr D. Jones (president) in the chair. The Department of Agriculinre forwarded a list of the farmers who were conducting -experiments with manures for the Agricultural and Pastoral Association. — It was resolved to meet on the third Wednesday of «ach month, at 1 o'clock, -an amendment that the •day of meeting be altered to Saturday being lost. — A lettar -was received from Dr "W. P. Evans, yrofeseor in charge of tbe chemical ■department of Canterbury •College, who ■wrote stating that hs had a-rpleaied to the people of Canterbnrv for financial assistance Jar his department. Bj the aid of small subscriptions 'he hoped 1© raise £5900 for the buikKng of a new laboratory. "Mr PanJiett moved that two delegates should be appointed. There was no doubt that the farmers most particalarhr had benefitec 1 by the work of chemical laboratories, and the Canterbury Plains were «n instance of the fact. Mr Hall seconded the motion. Mr .Hero-son said thit tbe benefits from <,hemiBfcry reaped by agriculturists had been derived from chemistry outside the colony. He would more as <in amendment, that Dr Evans should be advised to apply to the Government for assistance. The amendment vis lost and tbe motion .carried. Messrs Pamiett, Hall, and the president were- -elected to form the comniitt-ee. — Mr J. H. How«ll, director of the Technical Classes, wrote statins that the technical managers were desirous of establishing: a •wool department, where the necessary instruction in preparing wool for the market could be -given. The Government had •be*n unablo to make -j rovision for this in the new building, and if those interested in the matter could see their way to subscribe for the purpose, the Board <rf Managers had Teason <o hone for a, special sub sidy. Mr Howeil waited upon the meeting and urged the importance of manual «nd technical instruction in wool clai-Bing. New Zealand was far behind other places in the matter, for -whi'-e New Zealand carried twice -as many sheep as Victoria tbsr-e w-r-re no flashes, while in Victoria they had ivoll equipped classes. On the occasion of the late Premier's last visit to Christchupch he had stated <hai while in the Old Country he had been informed that many thousands of pounds wrore iott annually to the colony because wool was sent Home not propcilv prepared. He hoped that the woolsrrowero would give such *ii|.port as would indnoe the Go%'emment to differentiate between Cbristchurch and any other centre, and until that support was accorded to the Board of Managers the '■ Government eorld not be expected to support wool classes at C'hriotchurch in preference to any -other city. In reply to Mr Hall Mr How-ell paid that there should be two classes, providing for a thorough course of o!a&sin% r and sorting, extending over eight or nine, month*, while a shorter course bhouM lx» provided for farmers, or farmers' sons, wlio miffht vriih to learn wool sorting. This cour-o would be covered by a couple of monthc. Mr Howson said he had been pleased <o hear Mr Howcll'-s address, and asrp«d wall what 'laid been saxl. A vofco of thanks was tia-wed to Mr Howell. and : it udi <lecido<i to di-.cusj the matter at th-o - next mecnug.