The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29. PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

Akaroa Mail and Banks Peninsula Advertiser, Volume 3, Issue 238, 29 October 1878, Page 2

The Akaroa Mail. TUESDAY, OCTOBER 29. PARLIAMENTARY ITEMS.

On Thursday the Committee on gaols brought up their report in which they state that they find that the inspection by visiting Justices is irregular, that the punishments, in different parts, of the Colony, ordered by the visiting Justices, are too much in the hands of the gnolers; that there is no proper classification of priprisoners; that penal servitude and first sentence prisoners are associated ; that young women of previous good moral character are mixed with women of utterly depraved character and habits; that the mark system has not worked well ; that the provision for teaching is inadequate ; that the pay of gaol officers throughout the Colony is unequal, and is highest in Otago and lowest in Auckland. The Committee recommend an efficient system of Government inspection under trained inspectors from abroad ; that increased gaol accommodation is necessary for penal servitude prisoners, and classification for the rest; encouragement of productive industries, and facilities to prisoners to earn a small sum on their dicharge; the appointment of a warder as schoolmaster, equalisation of salaries, small gaols being placed under the police.

The "special wire" negotiations were used by the Opposion as an opportunity of " wiring into " the Government on the charge of endeavoring to create a monopoly. To us it appears more like an attempt by certain journals to overthrow a monopoly hitherto enjoyed by the Press Agency as purveyors of news. True, the General Manager estimates the value of the wire asked for at £4000, while Government have granted it for £2000 ; but anyone can see that Dr Lemon's figures are outside the mark. For instance, he estimates the time of his operators at 3s per hour. It would be s:ood news to telegraphists if they had any expectation of being paid at anything like this rate. Again, the Manager can only, as a matter of duty, report upon the project as a mercantile speculation, Ministers can rightfully look upon it from the broad ground of public policy,

Considerable discussion ensued on the second reading of the Kailways Construction Bill, and several members who voted for it intimated their intention of endeavoring to get it considerably altered in Committee. The Bill has been amended so as to provide that Government can only proceed with lines as money for their construction is appropriated by the Legisla ture. By telegraphic advice we learn that the Bill has finally passed the Lower House. The sections that most especially interest the Peninsula are sees. 8 to 11, which provide for the construction of the Akaroa line. Section 11, as finall}' passed, runs as follows :—" Alhnoneys transferred, paid or received under the provisions of sees. 8, 9 and 10 shall be applied in the construction and maintenance of a line of railway to Little River, and thence to Akaroa, from the main line from Amberly to Waitaki, or from a branch of the said line, and the Colonial Treasurer may from time to time cause all or part of such money to be issued or applied accordingly." A few days ago the Premier stv.n.'d *lu\'. he would cause copies- oi:' the " Nev>- Zea-

land National Anthem " to be distributed among the schools. Hereupon, on Friday last Mr Fitzroy asked Government under what authority the} proposed to alter the National Anthem of the British colonists ; also whether they do not think the proposed new National Anthem might be looked npon: , as an infringement of the.' 'prefeent secular'system of education ? / He| thobght -'that iby the" 4isiributiorr««[ifions} the* pchook , pif the; anthen£\ give jajn official! ifc; He/ljadvrecehrfcd v copy of tUslittiUallgcl,' Wonal AptUeW (Loud, it" and "Sing it.")*- I <W not intend to answer the question. Mr ' Fitaroy appealed to the Speaker whether the question should not be answered. The Speaker Said Government had a right to answer or withhold answers. The anthem in question is by Mr Thomas Bracken, the talented conductor of the Saturday Advertiser. If space permits, we-shall publish it, that our readers may judge -for themselves whether it is deserving of being considered, as the question of Mr Fitzroy would imply, likely to lead to disloyalty and disunion.