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299. What becomes of your reports ?—They are published in the periodical reports. At one time it was done each term. The reports might be published in the newspapers with advantage. 300. Do students prepare essays ? —No; at one time we had prizes for essays, but they were discontinued. Ido not know why. 301. Would there be any difficulty in publishing reports of work done in your department at shorter intervals than at present ?—None, providing sufficient work were done to form a report. 302. You think much more might be done with the present appliances if you had more assistance ? —Yes. 303. Mr. Overton.] Would there be any difficulty in getting a two-year student as pupilassistant during a third year if his board were found ?—No, I thiak not.

FBIDAY, 22ND FeBBGABY, 1889. Mr. Ivey further examined. 304. Mr. Murphy."] A special committee of the Board was appointed in 1887 to report on the School of Agriculture. Who were the members of the committee ?—The original School of Agriculture Committee with Mr. Spackman, Captain Garsia, and Mr. Chryatall. 305. Did they hold their inquiries at the farm? —A certain number of them were there once. 306. Clause 2 of the committee's report recommended " that some more efficient means of supervision ought to be employed to see what the students are actually doing, as at present each student reports his own work," and " that part of the Director's duty shall be to inspect the daily outdoor work of the students, and to verify their reports." What action have you taken in the matter?— The boys do not report their own work, as stated. I put them to work twice a day, and check their returns with my own journal every week, and value the work after inspection. 307. Do not your other duties sometimes interfere with the efficient supervision "of the farmwork ? —Sometimes. 308. The committee commented on the low prices you pay for milk, butter, bacon, &c. From what source did they derive their information ?—They never inquired of me, and I believe the members who drew up the report were ignorant of the prices I was paying. 309. Clause 6 of the report recommended that the veterinary surgeon's engagement be terminated, and that the Director lecture on this branch. As veterinary surgery is a distinct profession, were you questioned by the committee as to your competency to impart such instruction, theoretical and practical ? —I was not consulted, or would have explained that a professional man only could do the work. 310. You consider veterinary surgery an important branch of agricultural education ?—I do. 311. Clause 8 of the report recommended " that all fees whatsoever received for analyses, and all sums received from the General Government for work of any kind, shall pass through the books." It is already in evidence that no charge has at any time been made for outside work. What fees do the committee refer to ?—I have not the slightest idea. I have never received a fee for anything since I have been on the place. The Government pays for labour done on experimental grassplots. The cheques were seat direct to the gardener, and did not come through my hands. We also experimented with rabbit-poisons, and I received cheques for the labour employed, poisons, food, and expenses; but no fees were paid. 312. The committee refer to an interim report, some of the suggestions of which have been already acted upon by the Director. Will you state what these suggestions are ?—With the exception that the rate of wages should be reduced, there was no suggestion outside of what was already in operation. 313. The Chairman.] Do the students receive any instruction as to the purchasing of stock ?— No instruction is given, except so far as buying and selling the farm-stock is concerned. 314. Are all extra stock required on the farm bought by yourself in the presence of some second-year students ? —No. 315. Do a certain number of students always attend sales when farm-stock is disposed of ?— Practically, no; there may be two or three sometimes. 316. Have you ever suggested to the Board of Governors the desirability of providing a suitable conveyance or means for second-year students attending markets, or visiting trials of new machinery, or anything special that may take place in the district; which would be to their advantage ?—No; I am. not quite sure if it would be a good plan. 317. In your former evidence you said that you considered the farm-buildings equal to the requirements of the establishment. Have you proper accommodation for shearing sheep?—No, I have not. I have not applied for it because I did not want to increase the cost of the buildings. 318. Would there be any difficulty in finding employment on the present farm for fifty students ? —The number I could profitably employ is forty. If forestry and horticulture were added I could employ, say, forty-six. 319. Do the students do all ordinary weeding required on the farm ?—They do on the farm, but not in the garden. 320. Why do you not allow the students to feed any of the farm-horses ?—Because you could not depend upon them doing it regularly or properly. 321. Do you have a weekly supply of horse-feed evenly mixed in the barn by the ploughman with some students to assist, so that the horses can be economically fed, and fed by any one ? —I have the oats and peas weighed twice a week by the stockman and a student, and put into the corn-bins, but not mixed with chaff. This is done by the ploughman. We should require a shed if it had to be mixed in large quantities. 322. On what grain do you feed the horses, and is it always crushed?— They are fed on oats and peas—one-third peas and two-thirds oats, crushed.