LORD BLEDISLOE VISITS RANGIORA.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 19239, 28 November 1930, Page 7

LORD BLEDISLOE VISITS RANGIORA.

OPENS EXTENSIONS TO HIGH SCHOOL’S FARM. The Governor-General paid a visit to Rangiora this morning, to declare open an additional 84 acres on the Rangiora High School’s experimental farm. Accompanied by Sir John Hanham, he was met at the school by Mr C. I. Jennings, chairman of the School Board, and Mr R. W. Hawke, M.P. After inspecting a guard of honour, composed of the school cadets, under Lieutenant G. C. Beattie, Lord Bledisloe chatted for a short time with members of the board and the staff. Mr Jennings then welcomed his Excellency, who returned thanks. There was a large attendance of the farming community and others whose interests are bound up in the land. In his address of welcome, Mr Jennings said that they were honoured by his Excellency’s presence in Rangiora and at the school. The occasion was unique in more than one respect, as it was the first time a representative of his Majesty the King had visited the school. It was significant that on the occasion of the opening of the first school farm in the South Island a Governor-General, whose interests were so closely associated with rural life and agricultural pursuits, should be present to perform the ceremony. On behalf of the Board of Governors he extended a very cordial welcome. “We are well aware of your interest in the young people of this Dominion, and of your anxiety to see that they are well equipped and prepared to accept the responsibilities of life. We feel sure, therefore, that you will be interested in the strong and clear purpose that directs all the work undertaken at this school. Our pupils here are practically all country-born, and we are striving to reveal to them the completeness and satisfaction of a life lived in close association with Nature, and to show them how the practical problems that face a producing country such as New Zealand may be met and solved. The acquisition of the farm, which was made possible by a generous Government grant subsidising liberal donations by public-spirited individuals and local bodies, represents to us a very practical advance towards the attainment of our ideals, serving as it will the needs, not only of those of our students who are to be the farmers and farmers’ wives of to-morrow, but also of all who, as future citizens of this Dominion, wish to understand the real meaning of its life and purpose. “For several years past scientific instruction in agriculture has been a prominent feature of our school curriculum, and experimental work of an important nature has been carried on with marked success. From a small beginning on half an acre of leased land we are now in possession of a freehold farm of 114 acres, which will be equipped and stocked to give the boys taking the agricultural course a scientific and practical training in all departments of farming. “I can assure you that the Board of Governors and teaching staff fully realise the great responsibility attached to the handsome gift to our school, and it will be the earnest endeavour of all to make the very best use of it in the interests of rural education.” Lord Bledisloe was next shown over the school by the headmaster, Mr J. E. Strachan, and he watched the girls at work in the cocking and sewing classes Then followed a tour of the present farm, where he made a careful inspection of the various sections of agricultural pursuits, the wheat plots, the piggery and the machine milking shed. On arriving at the gates, he declared the new area open, and briefly addressed the students.