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.