Colonial.

Lyttelton Times, Volume VI, Issue 432, 24 December 1856, Page 4

Colonial.

AUCKLAND.

A few Provincial Council elections were filling up the tune of die political world till the »ew Superintendent should meet his Council on the Pth inst. They were going on with tolerable quietness. The Education question is again stirred up by the appearance of a pamphlet, purporting to be the compilation of a few individuals of various religious persuasions, whose names are mentioned, who met together for the purpose jof considering whether a measure could not be framed and submitted to the Council which should meet the wants of the Province and give satisfaction without offending the conscientious convictions of any section of the community. The question is of great interest in this Province where such a scheme has for some time been looked forward to; we therefore quote from the * South era Cross* the main points of the proposal:— 1. As so sufficient provision exists for Education in this Province, it is expedient that voluntary efforts for Ibis purpose should be aided by grants from the Public Revenue. 2. Such grants from the Public Revenue shall he civen jji aid of secular instruction only, and shall be awarded to all well-conducted schools, in which the provisions herein alter mentioned shall be complied with. 3. Commissioners of public instruction, not less than five nor more than nine in number, shall be appointed by his Honor the Superintendent, such Commissioners to constitute a Board for the administration of the proposed system of education. 4. An Inspector of Schools shall be chosen by the Board, subject- to the approval of his Honor 4he Superintendent- *# * The Inspector shall not exercise any control in the schools inspected by him, or interfere with the religious instruction given in them, or with their discipline or management. His duty shall be to ascertain whether the required amount of secular instruction is satisfactorily given, and whether the regulations of the Board are carried into effect, and to report accordingly. * * * 7. The managers of all schools receiving aid from the Public Revenue shall be at liberty to make such provision as they shall think fit for the communication of religious instruction in the schools under their charge., without any interference on the part of the Government: provided, however, that those children shall be exempted from attendance at the time of formal religious instruction, whose parents or guardians shall signify their desire to that effect by a written application to the conductor of the j school; provided also, that such an amount of secular instruction shall be given in all schools as sliall satisfy the Government. I 10. Aid granted by the Board to schools shall be applied exclusively to the payment of teachers and assistant teachers. * *■ * I 2 L The Managers of all Schools aided by the Board shall contribute, (subject to a reasonable ' exception in fee 20th. clause) by children's payments or otherwise, not less than an equal amount to that granted by the Board. # * * The resignation of John Logan Camp- i bfill, Esq., as a member of the Executive Council, has been accepted. The following paragraphs are suggestive : Public Baths Wanted.—We have recently ay-iin received communications on the want that is growin^jy feit. of Public Barhs in this town. There are few places we know of having greater or more available natural .facilities for the starting of such establishments, than are possessed by Auckland and the immediate vicinity of the town ; and we do hope ',hat it will not be long before we hear of steps being taken to establish Public Baths—boih hot and cold — in Koine one oi the beautiful bays of our harbour.—JV. Zealander. Cauxiox to Children. — Parent? should be cartful to v.-arjj their children against eating tltti lupal'Ju (Luiuj —at all events, ayainst swaiiovring the b-my and seeds. Aa instance occurred the other day of a

young boy wandering, in the Domain, and, by partaking freely of tlis fruit—which he seems to have swallowed whole—bringing on violent convulsions, followed by a state coma, from which he was not relieved until after several hours' unremitting medical attention. — Ibid.