AGRICULTURAL CLASSES.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXVIII, Issue 7999, 20 March 1906, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL CLASSES.

PRELIMINARY ARRANGEMENTS.

A meeting to further the proposal to organise agricultural claasea in commotion with the Mastertoa District High School, was held in the Masterton Borough Council Chambers, yesterday afternoon. There were present:—The Mayor (Mr J. A. Renall). Messrs R. Brown and ill. H. Waddington (Masterton School' Curomittee,. D. Donald and J. D. Cruickshank (Chamber of Commerce), C. E. Daniell and T. Wagg (Trust Lands Trust), W. Perry, D. McGregor, jnr., and W. J. Welch (Masterton A. and P. Association). The Mayor was voted to the chair, and in his remarks, stated that the meeting had been called to see what could be done in the way of helping to carry out the projeot. It was a necessary and good thing, and he was pleased to see that the Trustees of the Masterton Trust Lands were baoking up the movemen!, by giving a pieoe of land opposite the Sohool, and a grant of £SO for fencing purposes. The piece of land had been approved of by .IVIr Davies, fcheEduoation Board's instructor, in Elementary Agriculture, and it now remained for the £SO voted by the Trustees of the Trust Lands Trust to be spent. The Borough Council would then give their assistance in carrying out the necessary top-dressing to t"be section. What the other bodies interested intended to do, remained for the delegates to say, and he

] hoped that each and every body I would do its best to carry out the scheme. Ho hoped to see 10 the near future an agricultural farm established and thus farmers would be able to keep their land up to a standard capable of producing the best grains and crops. He believed that the fact of the children b9ing instructed in agriculture would help to bring the country up to a higher level. Mr Dauiell said that the Trust Lands Trustees wou'd do all in their power to push the matter .-.Ion". He hoped that all the local bodies in the Masterton district would take an interest in the movement, and he would like to see the borough Council assist by having the water laid on to the proposed area. ; The Mayor aaid ho would put the suggestion before the Council, and it would have his support. Continuing, Mr Daniell stated that the ground would have to bo cleaned so that the pupils should have the bust land possible for their instruction. Further, half the area would require top-dressing a foot in depth before a start could be made. He would like the meeting to confirm tbd site or otherwise. The Mayor moved, and Mr Brown seconded, that the site as chosen and accepted by the Education Board be accepted by the meeting. The motion was- carried. In answer to a question Mr Perry stated that the A. and P. Association bad only appointed their commitee to enquire into the movement, but had not authorised them tc expend any money. He thought the land Bhould bo skim ploughed firstly, and on behalf of the Asseciation he would guarantee to carry out the ploughing of the area. Mr Welch agreed with the last speaker, regarding the importance of ploughing the plot, and he thought the A. and P. Association would assist as far as it wai in their power to do so. He suggested that a committee should be appointed to oanvaas for the necessary tools, and work up the movement under the guidance of the instructor. Mr Donald stated that the Chamber of Commerce would do all within their powar to viork up the matter and help financially as far a? their funds allowed. Mr Brown stated that the idea, when calling the delegates together, was to appoint a committee to work up the matter, and generally act in the interests of the scheme. He believed that the looal firms would, if asked, help in the way of tools and manures. Mr Cruictsshank stated that on behalf of his firm he would be very pleased to help by giving manures. Regarding the size of the plot Mr McGregor thought that a half acre would be quite sufficient and he mentioned that thirty County Councils in England had only used plots a quarter of an aore in area eaah for instruction in practical agriculture. On the motion of Mr Daniell, seconded by Mr Waggj it was decided to appoint a permanent committee to go on with the work after the land had been prepared. The Committee will consist of two delegates from the A. and P. Association and one eaoh from the School Committee, Chamber of Commerce, Borough Council, Trust Lands Trust, Masterton and County Coun oils. The following interim committee was appointed:— Messrs Ju. McGregor jnr., R. Brown, C. E. Daniell, The Mayor,. J. D. Cru«obshank, and W. J. Welch. The Secretary (Mr Easthopq) was instructed to ask Mr Davies what clasß of fence was required, also, to ask him to confer with the committee'.

The matter of obtaining tools was left in theiiands of Mr Cruickshank, and the specifications for the fencing in thejhandß of Mr Daniell. The meeting then adjourned to the site, ana after some discussion, Messrs Perry and MoGregor decided to arrange for the work of ploughing the plot to be commenced on Thursday. The meeting then adjourned.