GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume IV, Issue 419, 15 October 1875, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By Electric Telegraph.] (From a correspondent of the Press.) HOUSE OP REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, October 14, The Speaker took the chair at the usual hour. questions. Mr SWANSON asked the Native Minister (1) Whether Mr Brissenden’s land purchases in the North Island have had anything to do with his dismissal from Government Land Purchase Agency 1 (2) Whether these purchases have been satisfactory to the Government? (8) Whether any opinion on the subject of Mr Brissenden’s land purchases has been expressed by any of the Judges of the Native Land Courts, and if so, what that opinion is ? (4) Did Mr Brisseuden at any time write requesting to be allowed to terminate his contract with the Government ? Mr Kelly asked if the attention of the Minister for Immigration has been drawn to certain charges made by Dr Harris, late surgeon superintendent of the ship Rodney, and published in one of the Wellington newspapers, against the Commissioner of Immigration at Wellington, and if so, if it is intended to take any action in the matter. The Government replied as follows (1.) No. (2.) Mr Brissenden’s land purchases had been most clear and satisfactory, and there was no difference or dispute about them. (3.) That the opinion of Judge Munro, who presided over the Courts in the North, was, that Mr Brissenden’s transactions with the natives had been clear and straightforward (4.) That Mr Brisseuden had written terminating his contract with the Government. In reply to Mr W. Kelly’s question, the Government stated that there was no excuse for the letter in question, after Dr Harris had written to the Government to express satisfaction with the enquiry instituted before the ship left. The Immigration Commissioners at Wellington had acted correctly throughout. BILL DISCHARGED. Mr Pyke’s Coroners’ Amendment Bill was discharged. CANTERBURY EDUCATION BOARD BILL. In moving the second reading of the Canterbury Education Board Bill, Mr Montgomery explained that it provided for a Board of nine, to be appointed by the Superintendent, and failing that by the Governor, and that all property and educational reserves could vest in that Board. He was sure that the appointment of such a Board would give great satisfaction in Canterbury. Mr J. E. Brown said the main reasons why the previous Education Board had been abolished was because it was responsible to no one—[Mr Montgomery— “ No ”J—and had exceeded their authority by £13,000 in one year. [Mr Montgomery —“ No.”J For the next twelve months at all events the control of education might remain as at present —in the hands of the Provincial Executive —and in committee he would endeavor to alter the Bill so as to make the Executive the Education Board for the ensuing year. If that alteration was made, he would vote for the second reading. Sir 0. Wilson considered that as the Provincial Executive were responsible for the expenditure, it should have the control. The Provincial Council had by a majority of two to one abolished the Board, which this Bill proposed to re-establish. He pointed out that by it the Superintendent was altogether independent of the Executive. [“ No,”] He moved the Bill be read a second time that day six months. Mr Webb supported the Bill. The statement that the Board was not responsible to the Government was not borne out by facts. Before it was responsible to the Provincial Government in whose department it was, no expenditure took place without being done by the advice and consent of the Superintendent and the Executive. If the Provincial Council were to meet again it would be certain to reestablish the Board, He felt convinced that the present arrangement did not give satisfaction to the public of the province. Complaints were pouring in from every quarter of the way in which the Education department was now managed. If the province were polled fully eleven-twelfths of the inhabitants would vote for the re-establish-ment of the Board.

Mr O’Conor suggested an adjournment to allow of him bringing in a clause to test the feeling of the House whether the Board should be elective or nominated.

Mr Rolleston earnestly hoped the Bill would pass. Under the Interpretation Act the word “ Superintendent” meant the Executive ; therefore the member for Heathcote need not be afraid of any arbitrary powers being exercised by the Superintendent, What be (Mr Rolleston) wanted

to see in the matter of education was responsibility to the law, which should be thoroughly laid down. The Board should administer according to the law, which was the popular will. All the details could be considered in committee.

Mr O’Conor, after the explanation of the member for Avon, withdrew his amendment.

bir i). McLean was placed in great difficulty how to vote, seeing that the .Provincial Secretary of the province opposed and the Superintendent supported the Bill. Mr Heid reminded the Native Minister that members were often placed in a similar difficulty when Ministers disagreed on questions before the House, and he advised the hon gentleman to act as they had been obliged to, viz, to use their own judgment. [Load laughter.] Hon O. C. Bowen hoped the matter would not in any way be considered as a party question, but that members would only think of what was best for that part of the country. He was conscientiously of opinion that education in Canterbury would not be well administered without some such measure as this, therefore he would support it. Sir C. Wilson divided the House on his amendment with the following result—Ayes, 3; noes, 40, Ayes—Sir Donald McLean, Mr Andrew, and Sir O. Wilson. The Bill will be committed to-morrow, BILLS PASSED. The following Bills were passed:—GreyTown and Masterton Public Park and Cemetery Bill, Wellington Rivers Bill, Onehunga Reserves Management Bill, New Zealand Presbyterian Church Bill, No 2 ; Religious, Charitable, and Educational Trusts Act Amendment Bill, Wellington Education Reserves Bill, Lodgers’ Enfranchisement Bill. THE REPRESENTATION BILL. In committee on the Representation Bill, the discussion was resumed on Mr Kelly’s amendment to give an additional member to Napier. Sir G. Grey, Sir D. Bell, and Mr Hunter strongly opposed the alteration, which was supported by Messrs Sheehan, Carrington, Ormond, Bowen and others. In answer to Sir D. Bell, Hon C. O. BOWEN said that the Government were prepared to accept alterations in this case, because it did not feel justified in supporting an increase to the East Coast districts, is at present constituted. In all other cases they would adhere strictly to their Bill. After considerable discussion, Mr KELLY said he was willing to alter his amendment, so as to allow an additional member to Napier, if it retained the boundaries named in his amendment. The discussion was interrupted by the dinner adjournment.

THE CANTERBURY BOARD OF EDUCATION BILL. [By Electric Telegraph.]

(From a correspondent of the Press.)

Wellington, October 14. The following are the provisions of the Canterbury Board of Education Bill :

The Board shall consist of nine members to be appointed by the Superintendent. Other provisions provide that if within the space of one month after the passing of this Act the Superintendent shall refuse or neglect to appoint all or any of such members as aforesaid, it shall be lawful for the Governor to appoint all or so many of such members as may be required to complete the full number of such members for such Board. 3, The Board constituted hereunder shall be a body corporate under the name of the Canterbury Education Board, and by such name shall have perpetual succession and a common seal, and may take and hold land for general educational purposes, and shall be capable in law by such name of doing and suffering all such acts and things as bodies corporate may by law do or suffer, and may appear in all legal proceedings by their chairman or secretary. 4, Three members of the Board shall go out of office each year, and the vacancies shall be filled by appointment of the Governor.

5. The three members who are to retire for the first two years respectively from the appointment of the first Board, shall be chosen by lot at the first meeting of the Board, and after the said two years they shall retire by rotation, three in each year, according to length of service, the three who have served the longest retiring in each year. 6. Every appointment of a member or members of the Board shall be notified in the Provincial Government Gazette , and shall take effect from the date of such notification.