AGRICULTURAL COLLEGE
For the purpose of a modern agricultural college, Dr Cherry, the Director of Agriculture, considers the Police Paddock at Dandenong to be admirably suited, and it is quite probable, if the Government determines, to proceed with the proposal to establish such a college at an early date, that application will be made to have the ground handed over for that purpose. Yesterday, a party including the Minister for Lands,Mr Morley, Mr Irvine MHR, Mr Keast MLA, Mr J M Reed, Dr Cherry,and Mr F Allen, paid a visit to the land.
The party was met at Dandenong by Cr Renfrew, president of the shire, and other representative residents, and entertained to an early luncheon, after which a larger party made an inspection of the paddocks. The property which contains 1952 acres has been in the hands of the police for about 50 years,and is used as a home station for the horses of the whole state. At the present time over 100 horses are grazing there. The property has been subdivided and fenced and otherwise improved considerably. Some residents of Dandenong strongly favour setting the land apart as a National Park. From the higher grounds, very fine views are obtainable, and by damming a gully it is said that a large lake could be a made at comparatively small cost.
Yesterday Dr Cherry explained that if the land was secured for the purpose of an agricultural college, the department would propose to utilize the hilly sections for forest culture, and local residents said that they would be satisfied if the property was used in that manner. The whole matter is abeyance for the time.
Dandenong Advertiser and Cranbourne, Berwick and Oakleigh Advocate (Vic. : 1914 - 1918), Thursday 25 July 1918
Dandenong High School.
SITE SELECTED.
At the meeting of the Dandenong Shire Council on Monday last, Cr Abbott reported on a visit of inspection, by Mr F. Tate, the Direc-
tor of Education, and Mr Hansen, senior Inspector of Elementary School, of the sites offered. The various properties under offer
were reduced to two-Mr Vilcox's Stud Road property, and a Melbourne Road allotment owned by the executors of the estate of the late Mr Jago. The deputation expressed itself as favourably disposed to the Melbourne Road land, which was offered at £750. /
On the motion of Cr Abbott a letter was directed'to be sent to the Department, intimating " that the council undertakes to be responsible
for the raising of £1,000, of which £750 will be applied to the purchase of the land and the balance of £250 donated towards the cost of the bnilding. The proposal is to make available the sum of £200 on signting the contract, the balance to be payable over a period of three
Cr Abbott reported that the matter had met with consideration at the last meeting of the Cranbourne council, and was to be further dis
cusesed later. The committee had also waited upon the Berwick council, and the request for assistance had been favorably received, Crs Jambs and Walsh being the only two to offer opposition.
