HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1702, 3 November 1887, Page 2

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.

Wednesday, November 2. The House met at 2.30 p no. GOVEBNOB'B SALABY. Major Atklnaon gave notice of the Introduction of the Governor's Salary and Allowance Bill and Parliamentary Honorsrinm and Privileges Bill. MIDLAND RAILWAY. The Premier gave notioe of a series of resolutions dealing with the Midland Riilway, to be taken m Committee of the Whole to-morrow morning. They were to the tffeot that; the draft oontraot of Deoeraber 14tn, 188b', agreed to by the Government and >epraaentatlvea of the Company m New Zealand, as amended by tne Company, be accepted by Government «■ « supplementary contract, aubjeot to certain alterations and the following additions: — New Zealand Midland Railway Company, to be incorporated m New Zealand under the Company 'a Act 1882, as provided by section 2 of the Act, of 1883, the works to be commenced at once at Springfield aodjßolgrove. No land which shall be granted to the Company shall be cold at less price th«n the minimum to be agreed to by the Snrvayor-Genaral, OANTBBBUKY BHOW. Qaeatlons having been replied to, The Speaker read a telegram from the Secretary of the Canterbury A and P. Association requesting the attendance of members of the Houae on Friday, lltb mat., at the new show grounds. He said if any members exprensed their intention of proceeding to Ohristohuroh he would be glad to inform the Seoretary of the matter. Mr Seddon asked whether the Premier proposed to adjourn the House on thut occasion. Maj >r Atkinson said he would be gUd to consult the wishes of the Opposition m the matter, EDUCATION. Mr Wilson moved— "That a Commit, tee be appointed, with power to call for persons and papers, to inquire — 1. If the present large expenditure on education can be reduced without unduly impairing the efficiency of the present ciystom or dosing country schools ; (2) m what direction, if any, any redactions should take plaoe ? and (3) generally into the working of the system, the Committee to report thereon within a month, and to consist of Messrs Fisher, Allen, Beetham, Loughrey, M* J, S. McKenzie, Ormond, Barron, Walker, Dr. Jbitohett, and the mover. Mr Fisher approved of the motion. Mr Seddon moved an amendment, referring to a Committee the question whether State aid can be given to denominational sohools m large centres without injuring the State syetem of education ; and whether it is advisable that the Bible should be read m schools. A lengthy disousslon ensued and Mr Bed don's amendment was carried by 38 to 36. Mr Blake moved a further amendment — " That an enquiry should also be made into the management of the Native schools." Agreed to on the voloes. The motion as amended was then oarried by 39 to 21. HOSPITAL AND CHARITABLE AID AMENDMENT BILL. Mr Maoarthnr moved the second readiog of the Hospitals and Charitable Institutions Aot Amendment Bill. The Bill provides that the Manawatu hospital district may be constituted} and that the Ashburton district be separated from North Canterbury. The prinoiple of the Bill was to give the" local hospital control of funds to those mostly interested. M»jor Steward, la supporting the Bill, took t be opportunity of presenting* petition from 965 residents of Waimate praying that that district may be constituted into a hospital district. He spoke strongly on the necessity for this power being conferred on tho people of his district, The debate was interrupted by the 6.30 adjournment.