GENERAL ASSEMBLY

Globe, Volume VIII, Issue 1009, 19 September 1877, Page 3

GENERAL ASSEMBLY

[By Telegraph.] [pee press agency.] HOUSE OE REPRESENTATIVES. Monday, Sept. 17. — Evening Sitting. THE EDUCATION RILL. The consideration of the Education Bill was resumed in committee. In clause 85 “elementary science” was substituted for “mechanics ;’ 5 the proposal to add “social economics” was negatived; “ principles of domestic economy” was added to instruction for girls ; the proviso making history non-compulsory w r as retained on division by fifty-four to four ; on Mr W. Wood’s motion the w r ords, “ and the teaching shall be entirely of a secular character,” were added to sub-section 3 on division. Ayes, 89 —Ballance, Bastings, [Brandon, J. 0. Brown, Bryce, Curtis, Delatour, Dignan, Fisher, Gibbs, "Gisborne, Hamlin, Hodgkinson, Hunter, Johnston, Joyce, Kelly, Kenny, Lumsden, Montgomery, Morris, Richardson, Richmond, Rowe, Shrimski, Stevens, Stout, Swanson, Taiaroa, Thompson, Travers, Wakefield, Whitaker, W. Wood, Woodcock. Noes, 19—Baigent, Bui'ff, Bowen, Burns, Carrington, Douglas, Fox, Harper, Henry, Macandrew, McLean, Nahe, Ormond, Reid, Reynolds, Rolleston, Tawiti, Wallis, Williams. In sub-section 8 (the Bible and Lord’s Prayer reading clause), an amendment by Mr Curtis to leave the matter optional with committees was rejected by 35 to 19. Mr Macandrew desired a proviso allowing a separate class to be formed to read the Douay or other version authorised by the Church of Rome, but the whole clause was shut out on the voices. Clause 86 was altered to provide that when practicable a playground of at least a quarter of an acre should be attached to eacli school. The clauses up to 90 were passed without material alteration. Clause 91 was after a long discussion altered to make regular attendance at some private school or educational institute, not connected with a Board, a ground for exemption. Progress was then reported. The House rose at 12.40 a.m. Tuesday, September 18. Mr Barit asked the Government of they would endeavour to procure a full list af the persons on board the Avalanche, and the names of the survivors. Mr Reid said he would reply to-morrow afternoon after ascertaining the cost. Replying to Mr Swanson, Mr McLean said the Government were considering the best means of utilising telegraph poles for advertising purposes. In reply to Mr Wakefield, Mr Bowen said his attention had been directed to newspaper reports of the altercations between the Bench and the Bar in the Resident Magistrate’s Court, in Timaru, and was endeavoring to ascertain the facts with a view to action. Mr Rees said he had a petition from 300 settlers in the district, complaining of these proceedings. In reply to Hr Murray, Mr Whitaker said it was the intention of the Government to continue the olllce of the Agent-General after the expiry of Sir Julius Vogel’s twelvemonth’s engagement. He did not know anything of Sir J. Vogel’s being anxious to resign. . In reply to Sir Robert Douglas, Mr Whitaker said he did not consider County Councils could legally pay members either salaries or travelling expenses. Mr Rees moved that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire whether Mr Martin Kennedy has forfeited his seat by being a contractor with the Government, and also whether Mr Whitaker was entitled to sit.

The SrEAKEB ruled that as notice of the latter part of the motion had not been given, it coidd not be considered.

Mr Rees said he would give notice with reference to Mr Whitaker, and would move in reference to Mr Kennedy only. < He thought it also desirable that the wjnuiittce

should consider clause 7 of the Disqualificu' tion Act.

Mr Ormond said, so far as lie was aware, Mr Kennedy was not a contractor, nor was the company of which he was managing director. If it was desirable to enquire into clause 7 of the Disqu lification, a member’s name should not be dragged in. Mb Rees said he was informed that Mr Kennedy’s brother-in-law and clerk was the contractor, hut the contract was for Mr Kennedy’s benefit, and had even been signed by him. lie believed the money paid by the Government for coals under the contract was annually paid to Mr Kennedy’s account at the Bank. The nominal contractor declared he had no interest in the matter. What he alluded to in the Disqualification Act was an oversight, by which it seemed that a contractor could not be elected. There was nothing to prevent a member, when once in, becoming a contractor, Mr Ormond said the Government knew nothing as to who was behind the contractor, whose tender had been accepted in the ordinary course. The motion was agreed to. An Imprest Supply Bill, No. 3, was introduced by message from the Governor and read a first time. The second reading was fixed for Friday. The amount is £250,000. Mr Ormond moved the second reading of the District Railways Bill, explaining its objects. After debate, the Bill was read a second time without dissent. In committee, the clauses of the Education Bill to number 99 were passed. LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tuesday, September 18. The report of the Select Committee on privilege was to the effect that the Hon. Mr Peacock’s seat was vacated.