GORE HIGH SCHOOL

Southland Times, Issue 20832, 22 July 1929, Page 4

GORE HIGH SCHOOL

AGRICULTURAL COURSE. CONFERENCE HELD, For some time past the Gore High School Board of Governors has had under consideration the question of an agricultural course in connection with the school. A class of 13 boys has been taking a course in wool-classing under Mr H. G. Wallis at Messrs R. and F. Wallis’s wool store, but this was only part of the scheme laid down. Agricultural science has also been taught in the school laboratory. During the recent visit of the Minister for Education the board members sought his assistance concerning the practical part of agricultural work, and Mr Atmore promised to get in touch with the Minister for Agriculture and his Department with a view of lectures and practical experiments being undertaken for the benefit of pupils who desire to take the course. Correspondence has passed between the board and the Education Department at various times, and also with the Fields Supervisor for Otago (Mr R. B. Tennent). A letter was received the previous week from the Minister for Agriculture stating that the teaching of agriculture in the schools was under the Department of Education, which had instructors of its own.

A conference was held on Saturday morning between the chairman and secretary of the High School Board, the rector of the school and Mr Tennent. The matter was discussed from various angles. Mr Tennent said a visit to the Experimental Area by pupils would be of value. The officer in charge could explain varieties of seeds and plants and the treatment, probably being able to give one hour per week for the purpose. If the board desired a small area plot, Mr Tennent would advise how best to lay it out and the nature of the work to be undertaken. He thought his Department would raise no objections to his doing that in the meantime. Notwithstanding the ideas he held about the small area plots, he thought occasional visits by the pupils to the Gore Experimental Area would be useful and serve a good purpose. Mr Tennent also advocated the establishment of a Babcock testing apparatus in the laboratory of the school. It would be a fine thing if boys had the opportunity of learning how to test milk, and they could go even further into the herd-testing work. The knowledge would be useful on their fathers’ farms.

The deputation will report to the board at its next meeting.