E.—7

6. CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE (LINCOLN). Visitor.-—His Excellency the Governor-General. Board of Governors. Appointed by His Excellency the Governor-General—Dr. C. Chilton. Elected by members of the Legislature—H. A. Knight, Esq. (Chairman); Hon. 1). Buddo, M.P. ; R. W. Lock head, Esq. Elected by governing bodies of Agricultural and Pastoral Associations—John Deans, Esq. ; John Studholme Esq. ; N. M. Orbell, Esq. Staff. Director.—R. E. Alexander, A.R.C.Sc.I. Lecturer in Biology.—F. W. Hilgendorf, M.A., D.Sc., F.N.Z.lnst. Lecturer on Chemistry.—M. J. Scott, 8.A., B.Sc. , Lecturer on Veterinary Science.—J. H. Stafford, M.R.0.V.5., D.S.O. Lecturer on Applied Mathematics, Sc.—J. W. Calder, B.Ag., B.Sc. REPORT OF THE DIRECTOR, I have the honour, by direction of the Board of Governors, in pursuance of the Canterbury College and Canterbury Agricultural College Act, 1898, to submit the following report of the work of the institution for the year ending 31st December, 1925 : Fifty-two students were enrolled in 1925, the number in residence being up to the limit of accommodation. Of those enrolled six were holders of bursaries under the Education Department. Twelve students sat for various subjects set by the New Zealand University for the Bachelor of Agriculture degree or the certificate in Agriculture. Three students completed their degree course at the College, and should obtain their degree, and this brings the total number who have obtained the degree from the College to about twenty-five. Nineteen students left at the end of the year, of whom one had completed one year of instruction, three two years, and the remaining fifteen the whole course ; of these fifteen all satisfied the examiners and were awarded the diploma of the College. Applications for entrance to the College are still somewhat in excess of the accommodation provided, indicating that there is a strong demand for higher agricultural education. During the year two Commissions on higher agricultural education visited the College, and took -evidence from members of the Board and staff. The first consisted of the members of the Board of Agriculture, and the second of Sir Harry Reichel and Mr. Frank Tate. The claims of the College to financial assistance to enable it to extend its laboratories, teaching equipment, and experimental work were reiterated, and it was shown that the continued neglect of these claims was having a grave effect on the higher agricultural education of the Dominion. The plant-breeding work under the supervision of Dr. Hilgendorf and subsidized by the Government is still being carried on and extended. During the year we were able to place on the market new strains of Dun and Danish oats, and these, though not so widely used as the College strain of Algerians, have already won the appreciation of farmers. The arrangements for supplying all demands for seed of our pure strains of wheat and oats were successfully carried out, and we attained our aim of unrestricted and economical distribution of the seed whose production had caused so much effort. The work of selection of grasses has been proceeded with in the hope of ultimately securing financial assistance to bring it to fruition, and representations as to the importance of this work were made to the Board of Agriculture when it visited the College. Mr. Scott, Lecturer on Chemistry, has repeated and increased his field manurial experiments. These promise to be most interesting and valuable, and all experimental work has an important influence on the teaching of the College and instruction of the students. The College and farm buildings have been kept in a good state of repair ; all possible improvements and additions have been made during the year. As has been repeatedly pointed out, new laboratories and farm buildings are urgently needed. The farm and its surroundings have been properly cared for, and the high fertility maintained. The College yields still maintain an average of 50 per cent, above those of the rest of the Dominion. The live-stock have also been maintained at a high level. College sheep sent to the Royal Show at Palmerston North obtaining twenty-one prizes, including three championships and two reserve championships. The usual visits, organized and occasional, of farmers to the College have been maintained, as has also the instructional correspondence, and the lectures by members of the staff to meetings of farmers in various districts of Canterbury. As in former years, we are indebted to a number of friends who have presented us with trophies for special prizes, which are appreciated both by staff and students. We are also indebted to those friends who have allowed our students to visit and inspect their works, manufactories, grounds, or stock.

35