AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

Timaru Herald, Volume XIIC, Issue 13936, 23 June 1909, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION.

MOVING IX THAT DIRECT]OX

At the meeting of the South Canterbury Education Hoard yesterday, the chairman said that on Saturday last lie, in company with cue or two other members of the Education Hoard, had sin interview with Dr. ililgciidorf, who had conic to Timaru, with regard to his acceptance of the position of agricultural instructor to the South Canterbury Education 1 Hoard. The position of affairs had | hen clearly explained, and Dr. Ililgciidorf had promised to write and iet the Hoard know what decision ho wived at. The secretary ilieu read a letter from Dr. Jlilgendorf, in which, after thanking the Hoard for the honour done him in asking him to take the position, ihe went en to speak of the duties he would be expected, to perform. He thought there was every probability of- his accepting the position, if minor matters could be arranged satisfactorily. In the iirst place, ho would like an engagement for a, fixed period, say three years; secondly, lie would like ifc recognised by the Board that the most important part of liis work would he the conduct of -small fVkl experiments, and the demonstrating to teachers and pupils (and if enough interest is shown, to farmers also), the meaning of iiie results of these experiments,. Besides this, lie would undertake teachers' classes and technical school classes, the conduct of experiments at the Timaiti High School and the District High Schools; frequent demonstrations and catechisms on these experiments, and when time permits, indoor lessons or agriculture as well. He would aiso undertake the supervision and direction of work in all school gardens, and give occasional lectures to farmers in the invitation of farmers' clubs. He pointed out that he would have in give his present employees three uiontlis' notice. A general discussion on tho matter ensued. .Mr - Hamilton sail be thought that the suggestion of tho AVaimate High School Board, to hold a conference of till tho contrioutii.g bodies was a good Ciic, and Jike'y to result beneficially, and other mciuuers agreed with this. -Mr Lindsay suggested that it would be a good idea to get Dr. Jlilgendorf down to the conference., for he could doubtless give them a lot of valuable information. Some of the Agricultural and Pastoral Societies were hanging back a little at present, but he thought that that was merely because they washed for' fuller information abotit'th« scheme and proposed methods of work. It was ultimately decided to hold a conference of all contributing bodies on July 10th, at 11 a.m.. in the Education office.