AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

Waikato Times, Volume 96, Issue 15033, 2 September 1922, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION

INSTRUCTION FORH.S.BOYS VETOED RUAKURA CAMP. MINISTER RECONSIDERS PROPOSAL By Telegraph—-Special to Times. WE L LI N OTO N, Friday. Tiie desirability of carrying on the camp of instruction for school boys at the Ruakura State Farm was urged upon the Minister of Education (Hon. C. J. Parr), by Mr J. A. Young (Waikato). in the House of Representatives to-day. •The member said the Auckland Education Board had arranged for iiO boys to spend a week at Ruakura during the school'holidays, and he had been informed that the Board had voted £l3O towards the expenses of the visit, hut this expenditure had been turned down by the Director of Education. Mr Young thought that this was a mistake, as the boys in question were taking, a' study of agriculture, and the necessary accommodation was available at the State Farm, and the staff was capable of giving Ihe desired lectures, demonstrations, and instruction.

The Minister stated that the request for permission to hold a camp of instruction at the farm was refused by "he Department, under a decision ; .ven six months ago, when the financial position was acute, but provision ?:-as made for exceptional cases. He had looked into the matter and found that there were/ 105 boys who were finishing their courses in agriculture at the High Schools, and he thought they could receive very useful instruction at the farm. He had, therefore, decided to reconsider the matter, and would announce his 'decision after consultation with Hie Department. His own opinion was that there was justification for the camp, even in these hard times.

Mr ,T. Gilbert has received the following wire from Hon. G. J. Parr in regard to his representation with respect to Ruakura Farm: “Your letter 281 li inst., being a report of your visit to Ruakura, received. The question of holding school instruction camp there being reconsidered.