GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1003, 12 September 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[By TepkcPvAPH.]

[PEE PRESS AGENCY.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

Tuesday, September 11

The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Hokitika Gas Bill was read a third time.

Replying to Mr Wason, Mr Orjioxn said experiments were being tried to adapt locomotive engines to the use of Native coal. Replying to Mr Pyke, Mr Ormonu said the Government had not yet had time to consider the recommendations' of the Otago Central Railway Committee. Leave of absence of fourteen days was granted to Mr Reader Wood. Replying to Mr Stout;, Mr Reid said the Government did not intend to introduce a BUI to create or endow u trust to manage the Water of Lettfe.

Mr Seaton asked if the proposed reduction of expenditure under head of overseers in Dunedin gaol for the current financial year, amounting to £28:36 as compared with last yenr, is to be effected by the reduction of rates of wages or the number of officers. Mr BOWEN, in reply said on going through the estimates they found the most startling discrepancies in cost. In Auckland prisoners cost £l6 per head; in Lyttclton, £2O ; and in Dunedin actually £62 per head. There were thirty-three warders and gaolers to 115 prisoners, and the salaries were very high. They had less work to do in Dunedin than elsewhere. The Government had asked the visiting justices to suggest reductions, and they had sent amemorandum from the gaoler, saying practically that none could be made. The Government then took advice from the travelling superintendent of police, and proposed a lump reduction on the estimates. This they hoped to effect more by reducing the number of officers than their pay except, in cases where it was exceptionally high. Replying to Mr Carrington, Mr McLean said the Mana light would be erected on Cape Egmont if a site could be obtained. Replying to Mr Harper, Major ATKINSON said it was intended to carry out the report of the Sartoris Downcs Committee. Replying to Mr O'Rorkc, Major Atkinson said the services of volunteer corps in Onehunga and other places had been declined, as the Government felt themselves not inclined to increase the vote for volunteers. NEW BILLS. The South Rakaia Road Board (No. 2) Bill was introduced by Mr J. Brown. THE EDUCATION BILL. The House went into committee on the Education Bill. Clauses 40 to 43 passed. A long discussion took place on clause 44, as to whether committees or the Board should appoint teachers. Three separate amendments were moved on the first line, to give committees power to appoint, nominate, and recommend teachers. These were lost on divisions of 25 to 41, 32 to 33, and 31 to 34. The clause is still unpasscd.