FORESTRY AND AGRICULTURE. 11 



annum), 10 only availed themselves of it in the first five 

 years, but then their good common sense and shrewdness 

 prevailed, and their number increased proportionately in a 

 still greater degree. 



The lessons to be derived from these facts are, I think — 

 1st. neither to be too sanguine of immediate success, nor 

 despondent of viltimate attainment ; 2nd. Once convinced 

 of the necessity and vital importance of the scheme, no hesi- 

 tation should be allowed to interfere with its immediate 

 commencement; 3rd. Caution and prudence in beginning, 

 and perseverance, activity, and energy until its achievement 

 are nearly certain to be rewarded with final success. 



The school which, after serious investigation, I think to 

 be the best model for you to follow^ was at first designed to 

 50 boarders, but it was not until after 25 years of existence 

 that room for this number was required. In my opinion, 

 a house which would accommodate 12 boarders and 12 day 

 scholars, besides manager and inside staff, would be sufficient 

 to start with ; and I think that such a house, with good 

 outbuildings and sufficient grounds, which are so essential 

 for the practical teaching which is such a material feature 

 in this scheme, could be leased at a reasonable figure, and 

 thus save the expense, trouble, and delay of building. 

 Indeed, during my stay in Hob art, I saw some places in the 

 neighbourhood of New Town which I thought might, with 

 some trifling changes, prove admirably adapted for the pur- 

 pose. Of course you on the spot will, particularly after you 

 have been able to estimate the probable number of pupils 

 likely to join at once, or in a short period, be in a bettor 

 position to form an opinion of the suitability of any place 

 better than I can do. It would be advisable, in order to 

 induce parents or guardians to send their boys, and thus 

 form a nucleus with which to begin operations, that the 

 scholastic terms for pupils shomld be kept as low as possible. 

 In Germany and Belgium the charge for boarders is about 

 £40, and for day scholars £15, per annum, and, from their 

 reports, they appear to make about £4 per year profit on 

 each pupil. Of course it will be for those who have the 

 management to see if it can be done for these prices, but 

 you must remember that this school w411 not be founded to 

 make money out of it, but to benefit the community and to 

 provide for a pressing requirement if two of your most 

 important industries are to prosper as they should. There 

 should be a difference made between terms for Tasmanians 

 and strangers ; on the Continental plan this would mean 

 30 per cent, additional for boarders and day scholars. I 

 scarcely think that, until the school begins to he known and 



