DAY & NIGHT ON ESTIMATES

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 955, 24 October 1910, Page 5

DAY & NIGHT ON ESTIMATES

. • The .House had a long, weary, sitting of 22 hours on Friday and Saturday,' >.'■; as a result of, which the. Estimates for :.'.-'. the year have now.been passed... Shortly ■ .after.the House.met at: 2.30 on Friday afternoon,.the Prime Minister announced •that'he was. going to push the remaining classes.of the.'.Estimates, through. He .was. '"out. for. the night,'.' he . said '.-: jocularly. .As events proved, he was ' ' \butrfor .more'than the night, for, the '■'Estimates''did not-'go through; till 12.30 . p.mi on Saturday. Allowing for two hours' adjournment for dinner on Friday, half ah hour's. adjournment for supper, and .'.'.'■: an adjournment of one hour for breakfast on Saturday morning, the actual ..sitting time was 18J hours.'The. volume of criticism on each class of the Esti- . mates was a gradually decreasing one. : ."When members,were,fresh there was a gciod/deal " : pf talki' but by. midday on ;.'■' -Saturday 'everyone,seemed to 'be -jaded . . and'exhausted, and between-..12.20' p.m. anil 12.25 .p.m; ; the House passed the following classes:—Government Insur- :. ance 'Department (£65,216), , Accident •In6unvnce Account (£7110), State. Fire ! Insurance (£13,556),. State Guaranteed ■ Advances (£412,749). -At 12.30 p.m. the Prime Minister looked tired; but happy, .for he'had. got iis. Estimates through. - One item was reduced on Friday after- ;. '■' noon, and several were reduced on former ■ ■occasions. 1 '..The ; ; Prime' Minister's ,mo- :■■• tioii. to report' progress was the signal ior applause' from all over the' cham-' ; ber. :" The' .end. .was' not yet, however. ..'/■ Tha Speaker had several messages from the Legislative Council,: and the., House ■~lisi-ened .with'obvious, impatience while the Hon. T. Duncan' read an amend- . ment made, in -the Oamaru Harbour •;■ Enabling 'Bill; ; : Then' the': Speaker; anV nounced that, the, Council,had made an, , amehdment.'in the Defence';Bill, but'; the' ■■. patience.of the Prime Minister;himself :,..-'■ ■was at; an end;'and he v moved;,that at : be considered -on :, next. sitting; day. :So . vb' last,-.at; 12.30 p.m.,. the.'House rose.

A- TWENTY-TWO HOOB SITTING. "Gf?AVE DISSATISFACTION." EDUCATION hm AGRICULTURL

LANDS AND SURVEY DEPARTMENT.

ARE VALUERS ADEQUATELY .;-^'';: , :;:,:;;.'';r/.:;->A!p.;^r;..' ; ' '■ .■;/WANGANUI|RIV^ 'After THE.'D.okiNiON.:wen't'to press at three o'clock ; oh 'Saturday, morning the Estimates ih'connection,,with the Lands and Survey :De'partmeht': were'further .considered;.. .''.'"' / , ■,' Speaking •;further 'in regard, to the iWanganui; river, service, '. "•.:■' ;... Mr.' Pearce (Patea) urged' that the, company ' should 'be. compelled to establish '■"■&-fixed scale.of ■charges. .He .had ■heard'that.;thej:;cpmpany;-'::charged ; as much' as,':2s;:>per^head^ ; as;(ffeight.Von-. 6heep to"; : jmr»ssab^j? I :WlienV"'a'Js*Hsidj wasvgiven; a reasonable scales of 'charges. should;:be! insisted, upon.' AiT, elaborate service'.Ayas not necessary.' t-v , ; : '?. ; ':.''' ' ;;\ ,:Mr. 'Hogan : : : the necessity j: for;':a v.nxedv.-scale/.of ■: charges, 1 ;:';.o . l\ : : i-'-:S: :^. -'- ■ ''!- ': Sir Joseph:; We have; asked; him;-. to Ornish;sucj:a"iist. .:,':, ::-V : :' ■' :„-o. ;;.; : .. Mr. Wright South)' said that if -the company, raised 'its-charges' unduly, in', winter it was in the nature of blackmail, : ' '■;.- ■■■";;.-.. ;■/ •■ . ;.;, .Mr; Pearce (Patea) asked the' Prime Minister to consider .the . advisableness of dropping the'subsidy and spending ■'more.moncy-'6ri.:tJje-ro'aas.^ ; '.;'.o.-'-':' ; '. •The Prime" Minister said that when one portion of the subsidy was dropped the rates immediately : went . up. He •would be glad to see a.definite:scale of charges, fixed.'--.v- <■' ■.'■'■ J ,''.-..- :', Mr;,Wright::(Wellington ■,South).; said that, if the company .would "not.;. treat the settlors ' fairly,', '.the ' Government should withdraw 'the/whole subsidy and .stop improving, the river. Mr. Ho'gati (Wanganui) said that altogether; £26,000. • had been spent; on .the, river.,', If-the improvement of the river .was stopped, the --river.. would soon'become .'unnayigable. .The- only way to meet.the,present,monopoly'was. for._ the .Government to enter -into competition -with 'the. conipany, or buy the company;; out.' If roads were "available, sheep coiild bo conveyed, in. one instance •for a halfpenny apiece," where at present it cost. 10d. .to carry them by boat. . LAND; BOARD ADMINISTRATION. IS THE AUCKLAND DISTRICT . /.:.'; V ; :;f -UNWIELDY? :;..',':,; Mr, Ross' (Pahiatua) -moved that the item "£2OOO, ices for, members of Land Boards," '.be reduced by £1, as an indication'that" the: people of ,this country were dissatisfied-.with tlio; manner' in ■which transfers are approved or declined by members »f laud boards. ..He wished to" : know: whether land, boards were going, to-continue in what ho 'assumed was. an .absolutely wrong course—i.e., that .' was;.'. in ■ declining transfers.to -people, who held licenses under previous' Acts ,: without' insisting upon holders adhering to the two-year ■residential clause contained in the A.ct of 1907;:: -::.;•; ;■ The; Prime "Minister . said that lio could not deal with that matter offhand, ac.it was'ono of policy: . ; ' Mr. Roes :: That concerns you. ' Sir Joseph: I know.what! am doing. , Mr. Ross: So do I.•'-.'■','■'• The Chairman. ruled that the question of transfers could nob be. introduced. Mr. Ross then' said that'he would confine:his; amendment to the conduct of : ; business'by' land boards.' Mr. Hall (Waipawa) contended that Mr. Rcss-was within his rights, in .moving in tho direction in which he had done. ~.' , ■ Mr. Poland (Ohinemuri) held that settlement in the Auckland district was retarded, by the present management. A:board of four or five members was not /sufficient; to' handle such an limvicldy'-'district. . . ■ "Cravo Dissatisfaction." Throughout the' district ;there was gravo dissatisfaction at the delays that were taking place''in: the . administration of tho affairs of the board. Sometimes replies to letters could not bo obtained for. months."-People..whp applied for sections, in ;. mining . districts had sometimes to ;wait ! . as -long;•; as .;- three years.- .:.'.\.'V.'; :■::' ■■■'■:■■ '■'"'■- ...■.'■.;•.'.'.': :: '-- -:■-. Sir Joseph: What do you; suggest? Mr. Poland: That the Auckland land aistrict should be subdivided. ■■ Sir Joseph: Whoro.do you., suggest that the headquarters should be located ? Mr. Poland: I believe 1 .; that, .thero should be- an. Auckland Nortli and ■ ..an: Auckland South land distriot, and that •the Department' should fix tho headguarters.

Mr. Jennings (Taumarunui), also emphasised the necessity for a redistribution of the aro'as of the land boards' in the North Island. . The Prime Minister said that he would give the representations careful consideration. '■•', The amendment was rejected on the

voices. STATE, FORESTS.

' COMPREHENSIVE SCHEME' ■';'■ WANTED. ■ ,;In regard to the Estimates with re--ference'to State'forests, Mr. G. M.' Thomson (Dunedin) moved that the,first'item bo reduced by £1 as an indication that the Department should be placed under a properly scientific head. , He said that ho would like to see: an expert engaged for five years, so that'a comprehensive scheme might be framed.' The question was one "which should be:dealt with on a milch wider scale; He. wished to point out that he had never found fault with the management of the. State nurseries.. The Hon. D. Buddo. said that he did not think'that-the services of an.expert were needed. , . Mr. Luke (Wellington Suburbs) asked whether a.portion of the State' forest at Wainui-o-mata was to be .reserved for the purposes of a catchment area in connection .-with the Wellington water supply. . The Hon. D. Buddo said that permanent; reservation was now being made. ': Later,; the Prime: Minister (who is in charge of the iDepartment) said that it was not intended to appoint an expert in forestry at present. , , Mr. Rhodes (Ellesmere) declared that all the scientific bodies in the Dominion were in favour of Mr. Thomson's proThe Prime Minister .pointed out that last year 4,300,000 trees were sent out and 3,800,000 planted, in the North' Island; and 3,000,000 trees were sent out and.2,100,000 planted in the South Island, ' .■■'■'.';. '.■'.'" ': The amendment was rejected on the voices. \:

THE VALUATION DEPARTMENT.

j-\ SALARIES 1 OP VALUERS. 7. Upon the: Estimates ; for the Valuation Department being reached at 3 a.m., Mr. .'Herries' (Tauranga) moved to .report progress. :•.'.';■ ,'. . Sir.. Joseph: Oh no.: I want all the Estimates put'through at this sitting. '■' Mr. Hemes said that he was.moving as a protest against Estimates , being forced through at that hour, of the morning. ' ■]'■':: :'■ :■ . .','■'" ■:"."■ .:. Mr. Allen (Bruce) declared that, it was the, duty of the members to thoroughly'criticise the:expenditure of the ■Government.'' In' ; the.'next <two-classes' voteV'ibtalled.pver;.£l,OqO ) that time.-of the.\' morning' ;; member's■; ■'could not do itheir work-properly.. .-'.-Mr: Dive V(Egmqnt) emphasised ..the. point that.the Opposition were not re-■ sponsible .'for the delay which had taken, "place this session.:.'.>.-. .■{■.■■ .•".The amendment:.was' rejected by 33; to 17.;;'/;:,;:; : \'\'t'[- ■■ '.' ■//:, : '".. ''•.' About Retrenohment. ! ; . : Mr.-j;-Allen (Bruce)J; asked'what: re- ; trenchments had been made' in the Vial--uation Departrcont. .. .'',-■'.. Mr. G. M. Thomson (Dunedin) said there had been, friction in the Valuation I Department in Dunedin. The valuation in the North East Valloy had been very, imperfect.owing to valuers who did not know local conditions coming down from Wellington.' ~':'.'! '■ : '': Mr. Buchanan (Wairarapa) complaini'ed that .the salary of, one .valuer was .shown at ; £lso.: 'This was■not a. sufficient'sum to. attract a thoroughly competent man.. He'could call it- nothing' but a- scandal.' ■-.;■' ,; .' Mr. Poland: : ,lt is a Wairarapa scan- • dal. ■"•: ';•'■ .;,.■ ' ■ The Hon. Mr. Buddo said this man's salary, was partly paid by the local authority. ' Mr. Pield (Otaki) thought the salaries of valuer's.:generally should be higher:. . . Mr., Dive (Egmont) said.: he had; known a- valuer put a value on a pro-: perty of 800 ever putting Lis foot; on' the ' Some of the valuers had not .been men of experience. One he knew was a land agent and another was a bank clerk. The Hon. D. Buddo said only/nine valuers were paid under £270. These were mostly recent additions to the Department. ■. ■." Mr. Buchanan declared' that the low salaries, were causing inen to'leave the Department's service) hence the number of.recent appointments. He moved that the item £6905 for district valuers be reduced by £1 as an indication that the officers were insufficiently paid. \ Mr. Jennings (Taumarunui) said he knew a case in which a man who'was a land and commission agent and money-lender was a valuer. Mr. Buchanan said he knew of estates that had been cut up and sold for double the valuation placed on them. The motion to reduce the; item was lost by 34 votes.to 14.

AGRICULTURE AND COMMERCE.

' EXPERIMENT FARM. "OFFERS HAVE BEEN PLAYED 1 WITH." Mr. Hemes (Tauranga) asked if it was true (as rumoured in Auckland) that the Department had lost money in the.bankruptcy of a firm that had been sending birds for export to' ths poultry depot that had been run by the Department at Auckland. ~' Mr. Ross (Pahiatua) ' urged that when tho agricultural scientist was appointed' ho would not be. allowed to interfere in the organising side. Jhe State farms were m a'high state of efficiency just now. . Mr. Okey (Taranaki) asked what was being done in the matter of regrassing denuded land. Mr. Greenslade (Waikato) complained that the cadets' quarters at Ruakura had remained unfurnished and untenanted. He asketl for the reason for, the changes in the. staffing of the Agricultural Department. ■ In.. many cases a huge mistake had been made. ' Mr. Buchanan (Wairarapa)' said that' somo time ago ho had offered the Department the ■ money necessary to buy, an experiment farm in his district. In the* Commonwealth there were no fewer tlian ; 35 experiment farms, with 590 ,students; He complained of the'money :that had. been''wasted on .the ■■ Levin: experiment farm. Thero was a considerable reduction in the vote for these farms—such' as they, were. .We might

as well give them up as deal with them in a half-hearted fashion. Proposed Agricultural Museum. Mr. Field (Otaki) asked if a proper place had been found for the agricultural musoum. The spread of noxious woods was alarming, and more inspectors should be appointed. In hia district the giimt fescue was becoming all unmitigated curso. To combat the growth of noxious weeds some more Angora goats.- should bo procured. Koplying to variou3 questions, tho Hon. T. Mackenzie said that tho ''Agrio\)lUitnl JounjivJ" wi)» meeting tviih fair suecoss, and had 2200 subscriborß. Tho poultry farms were now showing a prolit—the Burnhani farm a profit of £74 10s., and the other a profit of £127. Mr. Clifton had done very good work, but extra assistance was required. Mr. Potrie had volunteered his services to go through Central Otago as a botanist collecting ,the more valuablo native grass seeds. He would Teceive no salary, only travelling allowances. It had been decided to discontinue the poultry depots because there was practically no 'export trade. Mr. Herries: There is a vote this year. ' . The : Hon. T. Mackenzie said that was merely to finish things up. Treatment of Offers of Farms. Mr. Buchanan ' (Wairarapa) complained that the Department had simply played with his offer of an experiment farm. He instanced another case in which ten acres had been offered in the W airarapa for experimental . purposes, but the Department would do. nothing. Mr. Mackenzie denied that cold water had been thrown on either offer. 'The lads who were being trained in farm work were receiving 2s. 6d. a week to begin with. Some were now getting 30s. a week. , Mr. Greenslade (Waikato) moved that tho salary of the secretary of the head office (£550) be reduced by.£l, as an indication that this most important Department should be placed under a gentleman of practical experience. Sir Joseph Ward said this appointment was made when he was in charge of the portfolio. Practical knowledge was not required for this position, and the officer in question had excellent qualifications, and gave every satisfaction. , The amendment was lost on the voices. ..'"•■ Mr. Malcolm (Clutha) moved that the item. £12,895, salaries of inspectors' of rabbits and. noxious weeds, be reduced by £1, as an indication' that in noxious weeds prosecutions farmers should -be allowed to lea'd evidence in their; own defence. The Minister said provision was made to this effect in the , amending Bill. Mr. Malcolm divided the House, and the - amendment was lost by 31 votes to 14. Butter Depots for Taranakl. Mr. Okey moved that the item (£3000) for the destruction of noxious weeds on Native land be, : reduced by £1, as. an indication that this should be a charge on' the Native Department. The amendment was -lost. on. the voices'. Replying to other questions Mr. Mackenzie said the Department was going to establish depots in Taranaki .for working up tho dairy farmers' butter so that it should not contain too much moisture. The prospects of the export fruit, trade, .were good. The Government were going to consider the question of giving a bonus for future snipments. ' " ' The, time was now 6.10 a.m. and Mr. Herries moved to,, report progress. Tbfe motion was lost by 31 votes to 15. ' ."■/'..• -: ■ ' •" .' Tourist IDepartment. 'Mr. Herries (Tauranga) asked if it was intended to ask the Marine Department'(which' was more fully qualified) to take charge of the fish' at Ro- - I !'torjja'o!'-y..,..;-.-.,. . , : ,,-'.-- 1 .. .1,:.-;.-■•'■.''':■■;.:■•'.,•.■'■-.' ■,''.''The Hon. 3.. &'■.■ 'Millar. (who' was .in. charge of .the-Estimates),»said, no such of .authority had: yet; heen'.ar- : -ranged for.—iTha-Tourist.' De'part'meni. could have-.the•■services of Mr.' Aysoh 'whenever it-liked: ;-, ,;-.. v - ..•-.•.;,-'

EDUCATION DEPARTMENT.

SCHOOL BOOKS* SHOULD BOOKS BE SUPPLIED - ,' -. FREE? . :'•:':. \' , When the Education Department Estimates were : reached, Mr.' Malcolm (Clutha) moved : to', reduce- the item £850 (salaries of two assistant-inspectors) by £1 as an indication that these inspectors should not be asked to examine the secondary schools, which had already been, examined, by the. board's inspectors. The amendment was lost by'3o votes to 14; : : . Mr. Wright' (Wellington. South) said the system of free school books was not working satisfactorily. The children were not permitted to take the books home. Opposition to Free Books. I: Mr. Anderson moved to reduce the item of £4500 for. free. text.books by £1 as an indication' that the vote should cease. '•':;,'< •■:■■■•? The Hon. D. Buddo said that if the children were not allowed-to take the books home the fault was not the Department's. ' .;"■'•'■"■-.'.' Mr. Hardy (Selwvn) said the vote under -which free school books were issued was a catch oho.. • '•'. Mr. Arnold (Dunedin Central) said the vote was an indication that a uniform set of : school books should 'be supplied at cost price. The' Government was not prepared to do .this and issued free school books'again. Unless the Government was prepared to issue uniform books at cost'price it should continue the issue of free books. There wasa suspicion in the minds of many : that the reason for so many changes, in school books was that a teacher connected with the Education Department was interested in having this done.' Mr. Hardy said the money would;be better expended on school registers;" '•" ■ Mr. Anderson (Mataura) agreed that a uniform set of school books would ■ be. better than the-present system. ' Mr. M'Laren argued against the, amendment.- • ■ Mr. E. H. Taylor (Thames) said .the. trouble lay m the Education_ Boards.;, Last year the. country schools in Auckland did not receive any books : until June. The books .came through Auckland, and ninety per cent of the schoolbooks were swallowed up in the' city:I schools., The Education Boards werel getting a perfect nuisance. Very Unsatisfactory. Mr. Wright (Wellington South), said | the presont system was very unsatisfactory—neither one thing nor another. Only the first and second" standards were served. The trouble was that the Department did not allow sufficient money to tho boards. The orders were given by the Department. • A member: No I Mr. Wright: Then members of Educaftbn Boards are lineal sons of Ananias, for they not only say the Department contracts for the books, but they place the responsibility on a particular officer. , The Hon. D. Buddo denied that there ■was undue-changing of books. There- had : boen no change in the list since May 22, 1905. • This year's vote was for all the standards up to, arid including, the fourth, and certain extra books would be issued to schools of grade 5 and upwards. ''•"'■ '•.''■'' The amendment was lost on the voices. Mr. Hine asked that the amount lost by the school committees last year ■ by the withholding of the ninepenny i capitation should, be made good to

them. Ho also asked that local contri-1 butions should be subsidised. A Dishevelled Assemblage. At 8 a.m., when a motion to adjourn for breakfast was before the House, Mr. Massoy, who has boon confined to I his room with a cold, and _ who came into the House an hour earlier, made » plea to report progress. Ho said if members could bco their dishevelled condition they would swear off late sittings for ever, and be content with an oight-honr day. The Prime Minister said ho was in fav<?M r early r!sings ( but n<s Ua<i never known such wasteful time occupied on Estimates as had been occupied by tho Opposition this session, and on Tuesday ho would move to sit on Saturdays and Mondays for the remainder of tho session. There had never been a hint that there was anything _ improper in the Estimates, yet Opposition members were continually jumping up and asking questions on points that had been explained. In former days, leading members of a party would have been ashamed of themselves to have acted with such stupidity as_ some members on the present Estimates.* He considered that his consideration for members had been construed as weakness. THE BREAKFAST ADJOURNMENT.' CURSED WITH STUPID GOVERNMENT. The somewhat weary House adjourned for breakfast at 8.10 a.m., and on resuming, .at 9.5, Mr. Hardy (Selwyn) rose, refreshed and invigorated; and protested strongly against an insinuation that., he had obstructed business. Ho had, ho said, a duty to perform,, and be would, sit there until Christmas if necessary rather than allow important .Estimates to be rushed through. ■ . . Mr. Massey thought a great deal oi credit was duo to Mr. Hardy for insisting that important items on the Estimates should be fully considered and discussed. The Prime Minister had referred to the Opposition as the stupidest Opposition ho had over seen. .In reply, he (Mr. Massey) could say candidly that the present Government was tho "stupidest" Government he had ever seen. One and all it was the most stupid' Government with which 'this country had ever'.been cursed. The country would not be satisfied until it got rid of it. Mr. Massey proceeded to declaim against 1 the waste of time. ■ The Prime Minister expressed his pleasure at seeing Mr. Massey back in his seat after his illness. His one regret'was that the Leader of. the Opposition had not been in. the House to see his party being' led by the member for Christchurch North. He denied that the Government was responsible for any waste of time, and he also protested.against a statement that the. Government was piling up the burden on the people. •: Last' year taxation to the amount of £600,000 had been remitted. Ressare'n Scholarships. Mr. James Allen (Bruce), speaking on. the vote for education, asked if the Government was prepared to assist the Otago University in the establishment of a veterinary'school. It was, he said, impossible for university to start the school .on the money voted, by the Government. Ho also wished to know what had been done in regard to research scholarships. Mr. E. H. Taylor (Thames) remarked that the present University building at Auckland was a standing disgrace, and he wished to know when it was going to be replaced by another and up-to-date building. The Hon: D; Buddo said one pupil had taken advantage of the research scholarship at Otago, one at Victoria College, and one was about to commence at Canterbury College. Cne of 'the'.students, .was,; working in ' c'dnnection;"witli brown. toal, and . wheiiVmat: tefs-'lnid advanced'.far endugli.a'ieport ■.wouldi-'.no?:-doubt, bo--presented. jother-was doing ; .work' in connection .'with;a l patent dealing with>oils, and.the' matlier/.haq:-to .be "treated as .confiden-: jtial, -at- all' events -for - the present'.. The matter, of, a, new .University building for Auckland was uader consideration. . Auckland-University.' '■ - i Mr.'.'Massey; said he had been,-.-'told that there.was : a piece .of land at Mount Eden" whjch would'make an admirable, site "fbr.-;a'gaol.'" -This : 'site.; was; at -present held;- by. .the' Defence ■Department,: and he.was told;.that'.it was much, better tlianvthe' ; ■ proposed '■ .'Government Houso site;-' The -latter- .site -could 'hot be secured without 1 special legislation." . Mr. E. H. Taylor was strongly opposed to the suggested site at Mount Eden. The Prime Minister said the. matter of devoting- the site of the Governor's residence for university purposes had been before-Cabinet off and on. for the past 12 years. The Mount. Eden site referred to had been considered on morethan one occasion, but the conclusion arrived at. was that it was not a desirable, site...-.The necessary assent of the: King had .now been received to enable part of the .Government House site to be used a, university. 'No use could be made of .portion of the ground for. university, purposes, however, except on the authority of an Act of Parliament. It was proposed to ask the House later on to set aside portion of the; land around.: Government House for .university purposes. ■ ■' •'-, •The vote -for manual and technical instruction , was agreed to without discussion.", ...'; '~ '~- . . - ■..-',■ i ' , ■ Commenting ;on .the item, /-'Training colleges :and .training, of teachers."' Mr. 'Allen' asked if . the: regulations were. ;siicK.that they encouraged university : and .training college students, to join' :tho. officers' training corps.,' :'. The. Hon. D.. Buddo considered the system was, quite satisfactory. Mr. Herries (Tauranga) took advantage of; the-''item, -"Native schools" to place: on record' his'high appreciation of-the service-rendered by the teachers' in'these .schools. , They were doing,. ;perhaps, '-'the. best -: work of any of, .the .education officers in the Domin-ion.-He ; thought a. little more consid.eratioh; might be shown them by the Department, A tribute was paid by' ■Mr.'Hardy to the excellent work done ■by Mr.'" Bird, Inspector of . Native Schools." ;'' . Mr. Hine (Stratford) also remarkedon the capital work done in the schools, tbut ho asked if better attendance could not be enforced; l A motion- at: 10.45' a.m. to report •progress was: defeated by 29 to 13. ; Mr. Allen-(Bruce) wished some information with, reference, to an alleged: deficiency of a sum appfoachmg £50,000. in the matter of. allowances to education boards. Apparently allowances for, building and rebuilding had been used for general maintenance. When the time came for new schools .the boards had no money for the purpose. The Prime Minister . said that the question was one for the Education' I Committee.

OTHER DEPARTMENTS.

STATE COAL MINES. FREQUENCY OF ACCIDENTS. Mr. T. E. Taylor (ChristchuroK North) inquired whether the Government intended to build State steamers for tho transport of State coal. The Hon. R. M'Kenzio replied that the Government had considered the matter, but had not come to a final determination. Development work at the mines would absorb all tho money that could be spared in the near future. Steamers could not be got unless .more money was raised. The Government had considered that it would bo advisable and profitable to get steam,erst.. ..; .;'./ ;... : .■ _;. „;; ;;; ■*

The Hon. A. R. Guinness (Grey) remarked that there were more accidents, fatal and otherwise, in the State mine at Point Elizabeth than, in any other coal mine in New Zealand. Two lives had been lost within the past' four weeks, in addition to other accidents. He would like inquiries to be made to see whether these . accidents could bo minimised,' ' The Hon. R. M'Kenzie replied that accidents were sometimes like bad luck. They seemed to come around in cycles. Every possible precaution had been taken n t Point Elizabeth. The verdicts at tho inquests mentioned that no blame was attachable to any one, Mr. Massey pointed out that the Department had not complied with the law which stipulated the provision of a sinking fund. The Minister (in reply) said that money for a sinking fund was being ban..ed. Mr.. Massey declared the Point Elizabeth mine manager's report pointed to tho fact that the coal measures in that locality were being worked out. The Minister replied that only one section of the mine was being thinned out. There was an abundance in theother parts. SCENERY PRESERVATION. In reply to a question by Mr. Allen the Minister (the Hon. T. Mackenzie) said that. the best of the scenery on both sides cf the Taieri River, Duuedin, had been secured as reserves. " LAND FOR WORKERS* HOMES. I Mr. Massey asked what -the Government proposed to do .with land purchased with a view to erection of workers', homes. The Prime Minister replied that the land would not be .sacrificed. It would be utilised until an opportunity was afforded of cutting it up and leasing it. PUBLIC TRUST OFFICE. When, at noon, the Estimates in respect of the Public. Trust' Office were being dealt with, • Mr. . Allen (Bruce) asked why the Public Trustee was getting an apparent increase of £150 per annum—£looo as against £850. He thought this .was an implied reflection upon ■ the present officer's predecessor. Tho Prime Minister had explained that, the position required an officer who»was' also a solicitor. Yet lower down in the Estimates there was £525 provided for a solicitor. The Prime Minister remarked that ■tho .Public Trustee, had received no increase in salary. There had been a readjustment in tho Departments' owing to the retirements of two. officers, and' | the present Public Trustee was transferred to his present position at a salary: he was previously receiving/ Mr. Allen then moved to reduce the vote for the Public Trustee's salary'by £1 because ho-was satisfied neither with the explanation nor.with the arrangements made, in the office. ■ The amendment was.,.lost on the voices'. END OF ESTIMATES. Between 12.30 p.m. and 12.25 p.m. the ! Estimates' for ■ the' Government Insurance Department "(£65,216), Govern•ment ■ Accident Insurance Account (£7110), State Fire Insurance (£13,556), and State Guaranteed Advances (£412,749) were rushed through. ■ '~ The House rose at 12.30 p.m. until to-morrow' afternoon. •