Continuation of the Minutes of Evidence.

Minutes of Evidence

Taken before the Royal Commission on Vegetable Products.

Monday, 22nd March, 1886.

Present:

• The Hon. W. Madden, M.L.A., in the Chair;
• James Baird, Esq.,
• T. K. Dow, Esq.,
• The HON, F. T. Derham, M.L.A.,
• D. Martin, Esq.,
• Charles Yeo, Esq,
• William Edward Ivey, Esq., examined.

752. Have you also had considerable experience in this colony?—Yes, I was in the civil service here, in the Agricultural Department several years.

753. Are you prepared to read a paper, or de you prefer to make a statement as to the working of the college in New Zealand?—I have not prepared any paper, because I did not know exactly what the Commission wanted to know.

754. It is proposed to establish an agricultural college here?—So I understand.

755. And we are desirous of knowing from you in the first, place, as to the establishment of the college in New Zealand, as to the working of it, and any suggestions that you may think fit to make for the establishment of a college here; but by-and-by I propose to ask you some questions as to the growing of vegetable products other than wheat in this colony. Would you prefer to make a statement or that I should ask you questions?—I am hardly cognizant of the condition of things here, so that I could hardly make a statement.

930. How long has the college in New Zealand been established?—It is nearly eight years since I left Melbourne to establish it; it was opened in 1880 for the first time.

931. Under what circumstances was the college established—has it a Government grant or I have they given it an endowment?—There was an endowment of land: the old Provincial Government of Canterbury set aside 100,000 acres for an endowment for agricultural purposes. This land was sold, and the money put out at interest, a great portion of it page 4

William E. Ivey Esq. continued, 22nd March 1886.

and it is from the interest of this money that we carry on in a great measure. The other sources of income are the 22nd March 1886. profits upon the farm and rents from the unsold lands; part of the endowment is still unsold.

758. And what extent of buildings have you there—is it a large building?—Yes.

759. Do you accommodate pupils there?—I am very sorry I did not bring over a photographs I came away at once upon the telegram, but you may get some idea from a lithograph—[producing a book]—but this is a very poor miserable affair. The farm von will find described in the body of the book.

760. Have you one agricultural college and several farms, or have you the whole tiling combined?—We have but the one college.

761. An experimental farm around that college?—No, it is not; it it carried on on economical principles as a form, and nothing more. The experiments we carry on are in the general course of agriculture.

762. But is the Agricultural College situated upon the farm?—Yes, as you will see by the plan.

763. What is the extent of the farm?—660 acres.

764. The buildings seems to be extensive?—Yes, they are very extensive.

765. And seem to be very solidly built too?—Yes, us well built as it is possible to have them.

766. Of what material?—Brick, faced with New Zealand stone.

767. Do you accommodate pupils there?—Yes.

768. How many?—There is room for 50.

769. How many have you?—We have never been quite full, we average about 36; bur I may say the buildings are unnecessarily good for the purpose.

770. That is exactly the fault that was in my mind; but, though they are unnecessarily good just now, they may not be by-and-by?—No, if you have the money, of course; but it is not necessary to go to the great expense they have done in that building; but there was a reason for it which it is not necessary to explain.

771. Has the college proved a success?—I think so, of course.

772. Is the endowment sufficient for the maintenance of the college?—It is just about sufficient without going beyond what we are doing, that is leaving out experimental work; we can just make both ends meet; but that is due chiefly to the very low price of produce just now. When the thing was arranged, we did not reckon upon agriculture going, I may say, to the bad as it has done, so we are rather pinched; but we can just go on without luxuries.

773. I understand you that the farm produces a surplus?—Yes.

774. And the surplus helps to maintain the college?—Yes.

775. It is part of your course of instruction that boys being trained shall have practical knowledge of farm work?—That is the chief part; you may say that is the backbone of the whole thing.

776. Besides that, what do you teach them?—I think the prospectus gives you all the information—[producing copies of the same]—I thing page 5 the shortest way would be to put in the prospectus.—[The

William E. Ivey Esq. 22nd March 1886.

same wan handed in and is as follows:—]