GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 303, 13 September 1877, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[press agency.]

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, September 11. The House met at 2.30.

The following new Bills were introduced Dunedin Education Reserve Bill (Mi Stout), Southland Agricultural and Pastoral Association Exhibition Site Bill (Mr Lumsden), Gold Mining Act Amendment Bill (Mr Rowe), South Rakaia Road Bill No. 2 (Mr J. E. Brown). The House went into Committee on the Education Bill. Clauses 40 to 43 were passed. There was a long discussion on clause 44, whether the Committee or Board should appoint teachers; three Separate ■ amendments to give the power of appointing and recommending to Committees, were lost on divisions of 25 to 41, 32 to 33, and 31 to 34. The clause is not yet passed.

September 12. The whole evening was spent in

Committee on the Education Bill. After farther long discussion clause 44 was passed woids “ by leave of an inspector” being struck out in line 60, and a provision added that all appoint-’ ments and dismissals of teachers should be recommended by committee and none be made without the Committee being consulted. Clauses 45 to 48 were passed. Clause 49 was postponed. Several hours were spent over clause 50.

Mr Wakefield moved an amendment to render scholarships open to all children whose parents paid the capitation tax. The amendment was lost by 56 to 16. J

Mr Bowen proposed an amendment to allow of the establishment of open scholarships for all children of a school age. This was carried by 61 to 10. Mr Stout then said that tionalism had been introduced into Bill, and he moved that the do leave the chair. This was lost b? 42 to 18. r

Progress was then reported, and the House rose at 12.25.

The House met to-day at 2.30. Leave of absence for fourteen days was granted to Mr Button.

In reply to questions, Ministers said —(1). It was not intended to amend the Savings Bank Act; (2), they would ascertain the cost of connecting the Brothers’ Light-house with the main land by telegraph. The following new Bills were introduced Dunedin Reserves, Dunedin Gas and Water Works, and Lawrence Municipal Reserves Leasing. Mr Burns moved a resolution that tenders be called for in the Colony for all railway stock and plant, and also iron and wood-work required for Government works, or works under contract to Government, and for wooden and iron ships, dredges, and lighters, and that sufficient time be given for supplying the same. He contended that the Stella and Hinemoa could have been built cheaper in the Colony than at Home, and he believed all kinds of work could be done equally well in the Colony. Mr Sheehan moved an amendment that New Zealand coal should be used on railways and in Government buildings. .

Mr Ormond accepted both motion and amendment. The Government would endeavour to carry out both as far as practicable. Tenders would be called for all plant which could be manufactured in the Colony, and a list of what would be required for the next two or three years was being prepared. He believed New Zealand timber equally good with any imported, and Government would use local coals whenever they could. Mr Macandrew urged the Government not to depend on its engineer’s report, and to telegraph countermanding all orders on their way home for plant, and call tenders for it here. He moved an addition to this effect.