PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 506, 24 August 1871, Page 2

PROCEEDINGS IN PARLIAMENT.

Br the Wellington we have a few days' later news from the seat of Government. The address to His Excellency's speech was moved by Mr. Pearce in a lengthened and telling speech, and it was seconded by Mr. E. Richardson. Mr. Stafford criticised the policy of the ministry, bat his tone was courteous, and did not exhibit a hostile, and, least of all, a captious spirit. Mr. Fox replied, whom Mr. Gillies foliowr.l speaking in terms denunciatory of everything connected with the doings of the Ministry, and, as usual, full of despondency. Mr. Gisborne replied. After various other speakers bad expressed their views, the address in reply was carried ncm. con.

Among the business of general interest, Mr. Gillies Las introduced a bill for enabling suits to be brought against the Government; and a bill for abolishing imprisonment *'or debt. The Auckland Gas Bill was, on the motion of Mr. O'iforke, referred to a select committee. In reply to a question from Mr. CreightoD, the information was elicited that the formation of telegraph, lines to the Bay of Islands, Manukau Heads, and Coromandel, would soon be undertaken. A portentous notice of motion was tabled by Mr. Macandrew, Laving as its object the consolidation of the Middle Island into a single province. Bills for the granting of mining leases, and the regulation of the Auckland cemeteries, were introduced by Mr. Gillies. Permission was given for the introduction by Mr. Pox, on Tuesday last, of the Education Bill; and a number of petitions and notices of motion of minor importance were introduced.

DEPONPOET DISTEICT SCHOOL A public meeting was L elcl last night at the old school-room, Devonport, in accordance with au advertisement published by Mr. S. (Joehrtuic, inviting the heads of' families and residents generally to assemble for the purpose of " taking into consideration the extraordinary action taken by the newly-composed District School Committee." There was a crowded attendance, and Mr. Thomas Seaman was chosen to preside. The minutes of the last public inec^ag held were read, from which, and subsequent proceedings, it appeared that the committee then elected had been desirous of obtaining the Wesleyau Chapel, on the side of the Flagstaff Hill, for the purpose of a public school. In order to facilitate these view?, Mr. Crombie, who is Chairman of the Committee, had succeeded on his own responsibility in purchasing the building, to hold it for the committee until they should be in a position, by subscription or otherwise, to pay the amount of purchase money, and so acquire the property if desired. A notice of change of proprietor had been given by the Wesleyan Trustees to Mr. i'hillips, who was occupying the building as a private schoolroom, and after some negotiation the key had been given up to Mr. Crombie, and an appojjfanent made between Mr. Crombie* SnF Mr. Philips to meet at the building at a certain hour, for the removal of the desks, &c. At this hour Mr.* Philips was not present, and the articJes were lifted outside the building. # The meeting was a very stormy one, personalities and recriminations being freely bandied throughout the entire proceedings, the course of which was rather difficult to follow from the warmth of leeliug indulged, and tha consequent contusion.

The Chaikiian having read the advertisement convening the meeting, called on Mr. Cochrane to submit the views he entertained on the question which they were brought together to consider, and begged the meeting to give a calm and dispassionate hearing to any gentleman who might address them. Mr. l'ochkan'e offered some lengthened remarks on the proceedings of the committee in reference to Mr. Phillips, who had been conducting a private school in the building recently purchased by Mr. Crom'nie for a district school.

Mr. Oliveb Mays replied at considerable length, defending the action of the committee.

Mr. Philips explained what be had done in the matter, and it was ultimately resolved, " That this meeting have nothing to do with the private affairs of Mr. Phillips and Mr. Urombie." It was next proposed by Mr. (Jociikank, after tendering his resignation as a member of the committee, and seconded by Mr. Jervis, " That this meeting hereby express its unqualified disapprobation of the actions of the so-called local committee of education for this district; and, further, that this meeting desires to express its belief that the educational wauts of the district are adequately sustained by the present system, as the teacher has always been willing to conform to any scale oi fees that shall render education open to all." As an amendment, it was proposed by Mr. Leek, and seconded by Mr. J. Holmes, " That a gentleman be appointed to act on the committee in Jicu of Mr. Cochnuie, who has resigned, and that the committee be requested to continue their course of action in the establishment of a district school."

This amendment was adopted by a very considerable majority, 37 voters being recorded in its favor, and nine against.

On the suggestion of Mr. Mays, that the committee bo increased to nine, the maximum number allowed by the Common Schools Act, the following gentlemen were unanimously voted members thereof : Messrs. H. J^iccol, John Holmes, VV. l[. Brown, H. Pitts, and Captain Rattray, who with Messrs. J.iN r. (Jroinbio (chairman), O. Mays (secretary), U. jiank-i, and J. Wyles, now constitute the committee.

After a cordial vote of thanks to the chairman, the meeting separated.