H.—2l

10

A young man who can put up a good fence, build a house, kill and dress a bullock, pig, or sheep, measure up tanks, do concrete-work, and has even an elementary knowledge of surveying, and who in addition to this has a practical knowledge of the points of horses, cattle, sheep, and pigs, and been trained for three years to a system of keeping accurate books by which he can determine the profit or loss from the breeding of any of these animals, is well equipped to farm land profitably anywhere. But, in addition to this, as has been shown at Hawkesbury, such a College performs splendid service for the country in providing instruction in winter and summer schools, rural camps, and so on. Bearing all these things in mind I think it is safe to say that our colleges should be as central as possible in their situations, should be near a railway-station, should be about 1,000 acres in extent, and should consist of mixed qualities of soil and not too fertile. I have no hesitation in recommending that the lines adopted at Hawkesbury be followed as closely as the conditions will permit. As a practical farmer myself, I appreciate thoroughly the enormous advantages a young man would have who had been trained at Hawkesbury as compared with the man who had not been so trained. If the Government decide to follow this course I would suggest that teachers trained at Hawkesbury, other qualifications being equal, should be given preference for appointment. In conclusion, I desire to say that my visit was necessarily a brief one, but I have endeavoured as far as possible to quote documents issued by the Department of Agriculture in New South Wales in order to ensure accuracy in this report. If any mistakes have occurred I think they will be in minor points. Besides the publications mentioned in this report, from which I have taken information and figures, I desire to mention the following as having been of help to me : Report of NewSouth Wales Department of Agriculture, 1912; Catalogue of Departmental Exhibits at Royal Agricultural Society's Show, 1913; "Australian Aspect of Agricultural Education," by H. W. Potts, F.C.S., F.L.S. Trusting this report will be of service, I have, ike, Edward Newman. The Hon. W. F. Massey, Minister of Agriculture, New Zealand. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION IN NEW SOUTH WALES. The Hawkesbury Agricultural College. Information supplied by the Principal, Mr. H. W. Potts, F.G.S., F.L.S., J. P., in reply to Questions asked by Mr. Edward Newman, M.P., representing the Minister of Agriculture for New Zealand. Mr. Newman: The New Zealand Government want to know what is the cost of this College? Mr. Potts: The capital cost has been very heavy, for the reason that the College was started in only a small way, temporary buildings only being put up. The original design was for a college to hold sixty students and to cost £37,000. The country could not look at this sum at that time, and the Government of the day spent £4,000. Through subsequent pulling-down and rebuilding the cost has been pretty well doubled, so that a fair statement of the actual cost could hardly be given without being misleading as an estimate for putting up a similar college. Mr. Newman: Can you give an estimate for a college of 100 boys? Mr. Potts: I would recommend not to start under £50,000 in New Zealand. This, initial cost would, of course, have to be supplemented by an annual vote as the farm developed. That, however, could be allocated later on. I think it would be foolish to attempt to start on less than £50,000. For 100 boys I think you would want an annual grant of £5,000. The maintenance and education of students here costs £20 a year on the average (£3O for the first year, £20 the second, and £10 the third). Mr. Newman: What is the financial result of the institution every year? Mr. Potts: The details of that will be found in the annual report (statement of receipts and expenditure). This, however, is not a statement of assets and liabilities. When the farm was taken over the greater portion of the land was valued at 15s. per acre, but as a result of better markets, &c, I think that if a revaluation were taken the land would be worth £5 an acre. This is due to the fact that we have used the students in fencing, ringbarking, grubbing, <fee. Every year so much permanent improvement has been made, which goes to increase the value of the farm. In addition we have used the students for putting up buildings, gate-making, and other improvements. A dam has been put into a paddock where there was no water-supply of a permanent nature. This is all done by student-labour. Mr, Newman: How many boys are there in residence now? Mr. Potts: We can accommodate 200, and there are about 180 here just at present. Mr. Newman: What class are they drawn from? Mr. Potts: About 40 per cent, from country selectors', farmers', and graziers' sons. The balance are from sons of Civil servants, lawyers, bankers, merchants, traders, and others,