E.—7a

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244. Mr. Murphy.] Did the boys at Dookie take part in all the work? — Yes; every description. 245. How many farm-labourers have they?— Four; same as at Lincoln. 246. Is there a farm-manager? —I do not think so. I understood Mr. Thompson did that work himself. 247. Did you make any inquiry as to the number of acres under cultivation?—l did, but cannot remember. 248. Did you receive written instructions when appointed examiner ? —Our instructions were simply to report on the external management. 249. Do you consider two years sufficient to teach scientific and practical farming, and turn the students out as efficient farmers ?—No; it is as long as most people care to send their sons there for; but you cannot expect them to have a full education in that time, but the instruction given would be of great value to them. 250. Do you think it would be wise to put them to manage a farm after two years' experience at the school ? —No; they would be too young when they left to undertake the management of a farm. 251. Do you consider the boys under complete control?— Yes ; as far as I could see. 252. Do you consider the interests of the farm would be better served if an intelligent farmmanager were appointed, seeing Mr. Ivey's time is so much taken up attending to visitors, &c. ?—I think it would be an advantage to place some one in charge. The ploughman seems to be well up to his work, and I believe he would be as good as any man they could get. Mr. Ivey's time is very fully taken up. 253. Mr. Overtoil.] Do you consider the farm a good one, and suitable for the purpose for which it is used?— Yes, one of the best in the country for the purpose. 254. Are the farm-buildings equal to the requirements of the farm ?--—Yes. 255. Do you consider the institution itself suitable for a colonial school of agriculture?— Yes. 256. If you had had access to the farm-books would it not have given you a better opportunity of questioning the students as to their past work? —It would. 257. Did you consider during your examinations that the discipline of the establishment was good ?—Yes ; as far as we saw. Our duties were mostly connected with the outside work. 258. Did you find the students go about their work in a willing, active, and practical way ?— Yes, they were very willing. 259. Had they a fair knowledge of the different kinds of grain grown on the farm?— Yes. 260. Do you not think more outdoor supervision would be an advantage to the students?— I believe it would. 261. Were the students' papers on general agriculture placed before you?—No; I have sometimes asked to see them, when they have been shown to me. 262. In reporting favourably upon the growth of roots, were you in a position to point out to the students the cost of growing them?—No ; only what wo gathered by seeing the returns. 263. Did you consider the management of the stock on the farm good?— Fairly good. The sheep were sometimes a little neglected : I mean there ought to have been a little more care in drafting, &c.—clearing out the fat ones. I consider this the weakest part of the management of the sheep. 264. On the whole, do you think the farm is managed to the best advantage ? If not, can you suggest any improvement ?—The farm is worked at high pressure, growing so many roots and keeping so many sheep. They grow larger crops than is usual throughout the country. If the cost is not too great I consider the farm is well managed. 265. Are the students provided with books ? —Yes ; they keep a journal for their own information. They are supposed to keep a record of all done on the farm. 266. Mr. Murphy.] Has the dairy received the attention which it should have had as an important branch of study ? —No, it has not. I was very sorry to see it given up. The examiners were not consulted, or they would have strongly disapproved of discontinuing it. The first year or two they bought milk and made cheese. I was told the reason for discontinuing it was that they could not afford to buy milk. I consider it one of the most important branches that could have been taught. 267. Should not enough cows have been kept to provide milk?— Yes; the farm is a very suitable one for the purpose. 268. Do you know whether the institution is popular with the farming community ? If not, what is the reason ? —lt is not, generally popular. As people get to understand it better it will become more appreciated. 269. How is it that youths in the neighbourhood do not take advantage of the institution by becoming out-students ?—I do not think there are many youths in the immediate neighbourhood old enough to attend the institution. Mr. Geoege Geay examined. 270. The Chairman.] What position do you hold at the School of Agriculture ?—I am Lecturer on Chemistry, theoretical and practical, and Physics. 271. What previous experience have you had? —I was nine years at the Hartley Institution, Southampton, as assistant and teacher of chemistry, under the Government Department of Science and Art; nine years at Canterbury College under Professor Bickerton; and I have been five years and a half at Lincoln. 272. What does your work consist of?—I instruct the students in chemistry by lectures, and practical chemistry by laboratory practice. In addition, I carry on experimental work in connection with the farm, and any research-work that suggests itself. I also make analyses for farmers and others, free of cost. |gg