SORENESS PREDICTED IN CANTERBURY IF LINCOLN COLLEGE LOSES

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17881, 24 June 1926, Page 5

SORENESS PREDICTED IN CANTERBURY IF LINCOLN COLLEGE LOSES

MUST COME IN WITH ANY" IMPROVEMENTS, SAYS PRIME MINISTER. (Special to the “Star.”) WELLINGTON, June 24. A deputation from the Board, of Governors of Lincoln College waited on the Prime Minister, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr O. J. Hawken, and the Minister of Education, Mr R. A. Wright, to-day to urge that Lincoln College should not be deprived of its present status if a central Agricultural College were established. Mr Coates announced that the Government had, rightly or wrongly, determined on the establishment of a central agricultural college, but that it was recognised that the facilities for instruction at Lincoln College would have to be improved. The deputation was introduced by Mr D. Buddo, who said that the college had done forty-four years’ successful work. The Board of the College believed it could satisfy the needs in agricultural education for some years to come. The buildings were valued at £60,000 and, with the value of the land, there was a total value of £200,000. Income from endowments was £4OOO and from the farm £13,000. There was a waiting list of pupils, but the growth of the population had outgrown facilities available and an extension of accommodation was necessary. Mr Knight, Dr Ililgcndorf and Dr Chilton supported Mr Buddo. Mr Coates wanted to know how the deputation could get past the recommendations of the commission which favoured concentration of resources on a central college of a higher standing, rather than dissipate them on two colleges of less efficiency. Mr Buddo replied that in conjunction with Canterbury College Degree training could be given at Lincoln College. Mr Coates said that he thought the commission had been quite clear in its indication as to where the central college should be. What effect -would the establishment of a modern agricultural college have upon Lincoln College ? Mr Buddo said that Lincoln College had done enough to lead them to think it could hold its own in any circumstances. Mr Coates said that Lincoln College was fulfilling a useful purpose and it was not intended to disturb what it was doing, namely, what it was doing in turning out diploma students. The Government was committed to a central college and had made up its mind in that direction. A statement on the subject would be made in due course. Rightly or wrongly the Government had made its decision. Lincoln College, however, had not been lost sight of and in the framing of an agricultural education policy, that college had been kept in mind. Lincoln College must have sufficient equipment to be able to carry out its work in a manner suitable to the-type of education given. The staff* and students were working under conditions which could not be called satisfactory. He was unable. however, to give any definite idea of what monetary provision could be made for Lincoln College. Mr Buddo stated that the University Senate had approved of Lincoln as a degree college. They did not want Lincoln College to lose in status by the establishment of any other college. That was only fair to the South Island. Speaking on the subject of education generally the Prime Minister pointed out the need for avoiding overlapping. He believed that it would be possible to reduce the cost to the taxpayer by pulling down the overhead costs and through rearrangement of duties and functions. lie repeated, Lincoln College must certainly come in with any scheme of improvement adopted. Before the deputation withdrew Mr Buddo again asserted that there would be soreness in Canterbury if Lincoln College hud to accept secondary status.