THE MASSEY COLLEGE.

Otago Witness, Issue 3842, 1 November 1927, Page 13

THE MASSEY COLLEGE.

MEETING OF COUNCIL. PALMERSTON N., October 27. Mr George Fowlds, Auckland, presided over a meeting of the Massey Agricultural College Council at Palmerston North today. All the members at present in New Zealand were in attendance. The chairman reported that after several communications with the Minister of Agriculture it had been agreed that Mr R. Lippincott, Auckland, be appointed architect for the college builSings It was arranged that the architect should concentrate upog plans for the dairy factory, in order to get that building under way as quickly as possible. When the plans are ready' the council will again be called together to consider them, and tenders will be advertised for. Plans for the college buildings on the M’Harcly Estate will be proceeded with as soon as the dairy factory has been dealt with. The Chairman also reported, that the Dairy Research Management Committee had agreed to bear half the cost of the temporary research accommodation, and to pay for the necessary equipment. Ar. rangements for the erection of that accommodation were left in the 1-ands of the chairman and the principal. A letter was received from the secretary of the New Zealand Friesian Association advising that the estate of the late Mr Hodgson, Tamahere, Waikato, would give to the college the pick of its yearling pedigree Friesian heifers or this season’s heifer calves. This makes six pedigree Friesian heifers presented to the college and two pedigree Friesian bulls. Notifications of other intended gifts have been received.

•The Acting Principal (Professor Peren) reported on the progress that had been made in sowing spring crops, fencing, and other work on the farm. The final docking tallies had shown that there had been a lambing percentage of 102. Further -purchases of dairy cattle had been made. The erection of milking sheds and piggeries had been pushed on. The Dean of Dairying (Professor Riddet) reported that the ground plan of the dairy factory had now been finalised and details concerning the building were ready to submit to the architect. Arrangements had been made with the Dairy Management Committee to carry out the following investigations on the college farm this year: — _(1) Study of the variation in dairy milk yield and the fat contents of cows' milk over the complete lactation period, with the object of ascertaining the extent, variation, and causes contributing thereto. (2) Comparison of the Babcock, Gerber, and Hoyberg methods of testing milk for herd-testing purposes.. (3) Comparison of the efficiency of the different makes of farm coolers for milk, and cream. (4) Pig-feeding trial to ascertain the price realised skim • milk when (a) fed alone, and (b) fed with properly-bal-anced meal mixture for pork production. It has been arrangefl for students to be received early in the autumn. ■ , The council decided that the minimum age limit in short courses be 16 years. Women students will also be admitted.