WERAROA OR PENROSE.

Wairarapa Age, 17 March 1925, Page 5

WERAROA OR PENROSE.

PROFESSOR PEREN’S CHOICE. FAVOURS WAIRARAPA. Giving evidence yesterday before the Agricultural Education Commission, Professor G. S. Peren, of Victoria College, said: “Personally I should like to see the various centres pool their funds and ensure the establishment of a strong institution. This is surely a subject which should be regarded from the point of view of New Zealand interests rather than that of local aspiration. The degree of parochialism in this country is most unfortunate, and for such feeling to be allowed to sway decision of this type, whose effect will be felt for many, many years, could only be regarded as a national calamity.’’ Professor Peren said the decision should not be biased by the location of available Government properties. He was strongly of the opinion that the college should be situated as near as possible to Wellington, because it should work hand in hand with the staff of the Department of Agriculture. He had carefully compared the two available sites in the south of the North Island—the Weraroa Farm at Levin and the Penrose farm at Masterton, and he favoured the latter. Penrose was undoubtedly good sheep country, and yet at the same time on account of its river flats could be successfully utilised for dairying. Weraroa, on the ether hand, was essentially a dairy farm on account of the climate. Penrose could bo utilised for work with field crops, whereas Weraroa, again on account of climate, would not be satisfactory in this respect, particularly as regards research work ,on account of the susceptibility of “lodging” and to fungoid pests. On the other hand, Weraroa was far better equipped with buildings, roads, and fences, but he did not consider that assets of a temporary nature should be considered. Weraroa was purely a dairy farm, whereas Penrose eould be used for mixed farming, and offered a wider range for experimental work. One could probably find a very suitable site in the Marton-Turakina. district—a site perhaps more suitable than Penrose, but ‘he had not had the time to choose any location in that area. It would, however, be too far from Wellington. Taking everything into consideration he thought that Penrose Farm would probably prove quite a satisfactory site. Professor Peren said he considered £40,000 was the least that could possibly be done with for the establishment of a college. Sir James Parr’s estimate of £60,000 was nearer the mark.