GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Kumara Times, Issue 3026, 15 July 1886, Page 2

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

[united PRESS association.] , HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, July 12. The Government Loan to Local Bodies Bill was further considered in committee. In clause 13, "Treasurer not to lend local authorities in excess of the suras stated," Sir J. Vogel said he proposed that the sum to be lent to county councils should not exceed ,£10,009, to road hoards not exceeding £4OOO, to town hoards not exceeding £3OOO, and river boards not exceeding £IOOO. Mr Seddon moved an amendment that the amount to county councils should he £lo*ooo where there are no road boards. Sir J. Vogel opposed the amendtneut on the ground that it would have no effect if canied. Considerable discussion ensued, after which Mr Seddon moved that £lO 000 be struck.off, and £SOOO inserted.' Mr Gainness pointed out that if Sir J. Vogel'a motion was carried nine road boards would spring up in every county so as to take advantage of the provisions for borrowing. Major Atkinson appreciated the difficulty the Treasurer was in over this matter hut he would suggest that Sir J Vogel should accept the £SOOO limit proposed by Mr Seddon. Sir J. Vogel said that if the committee were willing he would accept ±booo as a maximum for county councils and £3OOO for road boards. Mr Seddon said he would accept that compromise. The motion that £6OOO be inserted was then carried. Mr Goinness moved that £3OOO be inserted for ro.id boards where the bounties Act was not in operation. Sir J, Vogel said that he would make the Act a burlesque. He hoped the amendment would be withdrawn. Mr Guinness withdrew the amendment. The motion for £3OOO for road boards was then put and carried. MrMonteath moved a proviso that the amount payable in any one year to any local bodies within the boundary of any county shall not exceed £IO,OOO.

Sir J. Vogel emphatically protested against the amendment, as it would break down the bill and make it unworkable. How was Government to decide which road board should be reduced and which nob reduced. He hoped the amendment would not be pressed. The amendment waa lost by 53 to 13. Mr Guinness asked whether Sir J. Vogel would agree to insert after river board to a Borough Council where the inhabitants should not exceed 5000. Sir J. Yogel said he should provide for that in another clause. Clause 13, as amended, was then passed. Several new clauses were added to the bill. A new clause making special provision for school buildings elicited some discussion, which was interrupted by the 5.30 adjournment. In Committee of Supply, the estimates were considered— Education vote—On item £9,500 for boarding out children. Sir R. Stout, in answer to a question, said this was an increase of £2500 on last year's. The system had been found highly satisfactory. Mr Turnbull moved to strike out the item £35,000 for high schools. Mr Kerr said the time was fast approaching when the country would have to be content with the education of the children up to the fourth standard. Major Atkinson said the result would be to throw all the power into the hands of the rich. Instead of being content with the fourth standard, he believed that the people would insist that secondary and university education should be thrown open to all. Mr Seddon pointed out that the Hokitika High School had been omitted this year. Sir R. Stout said no inclination had been shown to make a stait with the school. The discussion merged into a general debate on the question of higher education, in which a large number of Speakers took part. Sir R Stout defended the vote at some length. Mr Guinness asked for a grant for a High School at Greymouth, and Mr Hursthouse announced that he intended to ask for £IOOO for a school at Motueka. The item was retained by 42 to 12. The total vote of £382,014 was passed intact. July 14. The East and West Coast Railway Construction Act Amendment Bill was received from the Legislative Council with one verbal amendment, which was agreed to. Major Atkinson asked whether the Premier would state definitely when the discussion on the Public Works Statement and representation questions would take place. Sir R. Stout said that the Loan Bill would probably be brought down on Monday or Tuesday next. He said that the Public Works' discussion could then take place. He would give an opportunity for discussing the representation question on Friday. The Government Loan to Local Bodies Bill was reported from the committee, read the third time, and passed. - VOTE FOR HOKITIKA SCHOOL BUILDING. GOLD DUTY ABOLITION BILL. [FROM OUR OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Wellington, July 13. In the Education vote £4OOO was passed for a brick school at Hokitika. The Premier telegraphs to day to the Board to accept the contract for the building. On the Supplementary Estimates a vote will be taken for school furniture. It is understood that Government will consent to the introduction of the Gold Duty Repeal Bill on the terms suggested by the Saturday's deputation of goldfields members, and it is reported that a majority of the Couucil can be counted upon to support the measure in that form.