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Nelson Evening Mail, Volume I, Issue 45, 26 April 1866, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. THURSDAY, APRIL 26, 1866. PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 25, ISG6. The Speaker took the chair at 5 o'clock p.m. All the members were present except Mr. Dodson. The minutes of the last meeting- were read and confirmed. Mr. Baigent moved, That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of 150/. for the purpose of improving the road from the Wai-iti river through Pigeon Valley to Stanley Brook. Mr* F. Kelling seconded. Both speakers said a road would cause a large quantity of land to be sold, and improve the adjacent country. Mr. Kelling then said he would move. That 200? be substituted for 100/., but was ruled out of order by the speaker. Carried. Mr. Kingdon moved. That his Honor] the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of 300/ in aid of the Catholic Schools. He said the Catholics had maintained their schools for many years, without aid from Die Government. They did not wish to avoid the control of the inspectors, or have schools of an exclusive character. They had a difficulty in conducting the schools in the present state of competition with the Government schools. Mr. Kedwood, in seconding the motion, complained of the hardship the Catholics labored under, in conducting a school for all denominations that was excluded from the grant. They were anxious to instruct boys and girls separately, and asked for a grant to accomplish that object. Mr. Curtis opposed the motion, and hoped the Council would oppose a grant to any religious denomination. If the Government were not to do so, they would have a difficulty in refusing similar grants to other bodies. He admitted the Uoman Catholics had a difficulty in sending- their children to Government schools, but he would not do anything to upset the system that had worked so well. He advised the mover and seconder to act upon Clause 38 of the Education ordinance, which made provision for the case of the Roman Catholics. If they were sufficiently numerous to provide the necessary contribution, such schools would be allowed to receive some assistance in books and money from the Central Board, which would not enforce books that were objectionable to the Catholic body. This was all the Government could do, without interfering with the efficiency of the present system, anil was all that could be done in a country so sparsely populated as this. He thought this provision rendered the Catholics as much aid us they could expect, and was much better than the introduction of the denominational and sectarian element, which was open to so much objection, and which the Government had hitherto been so fortunate as Vo avoid. Mr. Simmonds opposed the motion on the grounds advocated by the previous speaker, and deprecated the introduction of subsidizing any religious bodies, whilst anxious to respect the conscientious scruples of any body of a theological character. Mr. F. Kelling did not think that clause 3S would meet the objections of the lloraan Catholic body. They could not conscientiously make use of it, and he thought it desirable to alter it. It was unjust to compel a body to pay towards a system of education from which they derived no benefit. The vote was being increased from year to year, with most ridiculous school fees, and the Council ought to introduce a more liberal system. He would like to see all Catholics exempted'from the rate, if they could bring proof of their children being educated. He objected to the principle of the vote, which if assented to would stimulate other sects to seek similar aid from the Government ; nevertheless, the Catholics were entitled to the consideration of the Council. He would not mind voting for the grant for one year. Mr. Burn said, the school books were got up on purpose to remove the objections of Roman Catholics, and' the thickly populated districts could do without the Government aid at all. If the principles of the Act were deviated from, there was an end of a national system of instruction. If the grant were allowed in this case, all sects would make a similar

application, and the clause in question was all that could be done to meet the requirements of the & Roman Catholic body. If any other plan could be adopted to meet their special case, without violating the principles of the Act, he -would be happy to see it accomplished. Mr. Baigent entered at some length into the history of education in the province, and said he objected to the vote as a reckless expenditure of public money. He complained that the central board spent the money on tea meetings and the like. Mr. Parker defended the local committees from the charge of spending public money in tea, rides, or dancing. If such things occurred at the Waimeas, he was sorry for it. They conducted things better on the other side of the bay. He opposed the motion as an encroachment on a system that had worked well, and which, if broken up, -would not be easily replaced by one so good. He thought the clause referred to met all the requirements of the Roman Catholic body. If, however, it did not, he w ould be glad to be informed how the Council could in some other way, meet the difficulty complained of The Provincial Solicitor expressed his surprise at the statement of Mr. Baigent, who was a member of the central board, and said he hoped the Council would not increase the education vote. He thought there were too many schools, and the time was not distant when the Government funds would be diminished. It would be found impossible to carry out a denominational system in this province in an efficient manner. He thought the system would be improved by an increase of school fees. He was desirous of meeting the Catholics in any way that- would be safe to the present system ; for if the grant were given to them, on what ground could it be refused to many other denominational schools. The Government grant was to educate the children in the country aud not in the town. The application of the Catholics therefore, did not come within the scope and intention of the Government in their educational grants. Mr. McMahon showed that the Roman Catholics contributed their share of the revenue, and were entitled to the small assistance they asked for. The religious ground for a separate grant, was the fact that the Roman Catholics used a version of the scriptures which the other sects did not allow. Mr. Oliver admitted the special disadvantages of the Roman Catholics, and said it was the duty of the Council, who represented a large Protestant majority, to find a remedy. To show his concurrence in the importance of a remedy and the desirableness of adopting means to that end, he would support the motion. Mr. Kingdon replied, saying, there was no danger in the grant. He was glad to find some members on his side, and he hoped the Council would act charitably in the present instance, in allowing a grant, subject to the inspection of the Central Board. The grant was not asked on denominational grounds, but for a particular purpose and for particular, schools. The House divided with the following result. Ayes. Noes. Mr. Redwood Provincial Solicitor Oliver Provincial Secretary Gibbs Mr. Curtis .Kingdon Sparrow F. Kelling C- Kelling Rutherford Beitt M'Mahon Thompson Akersten Burn Sim monds Parker Baigent liir. Kingdon moved, That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of 300/ towards assisting the Volunteer movement in the Province. lie showed the importance of the Volunteer system in forming the nucleus of a'gcolonial army, and in following the example of the other provinces of New Zealand. Mr. Sparrow seconded. Mr. McMahon wanted to know what the Volunteers had done for the country. He amused the Council by a description of au awkward squad he had seen at drill, The motion was negatived. Ayes 6, Noes 13. Mr. F. Kelling aske d the Provincial Solicitor, whether the Government had received any intimation from the inhabitants residing on the southern side of the Grey River, in the Province of Canterbury, that it is their wish to be annexed to this Province. The Provincial Solicitor replied in the negative. Mr. Simmonds moved, That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of 250/, for the purpose of erecting a Foot-bridge over the Wai-iti River, as near as convenient to the Road by Mr. Jury's old mill. Such a bridge would enable the people of Motueka to visit Nelson in cases of life or death, at all times of flood, when the river could not be crossed at Waimea West. The material of the Wairoa bridge could be used for the purpose, and would be much better employed than for the private purpose to which the Government had destined it. Mr. Thompson seconded the motion, and showed the great importance of a foot-bridge, though he would much rather see a cart-bridge. The Provincial Secretary opposed the motion, lie said the Waimea members were getting greedy. They had already about 6,000/. on the Estimates. He considered the bridge premature, as there was no road to it, and the sum mentioned was also too great. Mr. F. Kelling opposed the motion, at the same time he denied that his portion of the Waimea deserved to be stigmatised as greedy (laughter). It was too much to erect four bridges over one river ia a year.

Mr. Baigent thought the bridge premature, for want of a road. Mr. Simmonds replied. He thought the Waimea people were not greedy but generous. The bridge would benefit the whole population between Nelson and Collingwood, and not benefit the Waimea people only. The House divided : Ayes, 8 ; noes, 6. The motion was, consequently, carried. Mr. Parker moved, That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of 501. for the purpose of erecting a Foot-bridge over the Creek near the Riwaka Ferry-house. Mr. Simmonds seconded. The motion passed. The Provincial Secretary moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to take into consideration the Superintendent's Message, No. 14 ; such committee to consist of the Speaker, Mr. Parker, Mr. Curtis, Mr. Redwood, Mr. Kelling, Mr. Akerten. Mr. Beitt, and the mover. Mr. Redwood seconded. Motion passed. Mr. McMahon moved, That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of 100?., for the purpose of assisting to establish an Agricultural Association at Motueka. Mr. Simmonds seconded the motion, considering it would create competion between Motueka and the "Waitneas. Motioii carried. Mr. Oliver moved, That a Select Committee be appointed to take into consideration the correspondence between the Bench of Magistrates at Motueka and the Provincial Government, in reference to the appointment of a constable, and to report upon the circumstances attending that appointment, with power to call for persons and papers; such Committee to consist of Mr. McMahon, Mr. Redwood, Mr. Rutherford, Mr. Kingdon, the Speaker, and the mover. He considered the notice the natural sequel of his former motion for the production of correspondence. He justified the motion as the ground of the necessity of the investigation, without which the Council would become a dead letter, and the Executive allowed to act with too great independence and partiality during the recess. lfit was the wish of the General Government that the quarrel should be fought out here ; there was the greater need that an investigation should take place. The mover stated the case as it has already been represented in public, and called for the committee in question. Messrs. McMahon, Parker, and Simmonds protested against Mr. Oliver being allowed to make a statßment which was the province of the committee. The Speaker ruled that Mr. Oliver was in order, although his statement might be unnecessary. He was not transgressing the rules of the House. Mr. Oliver contended that the Motueka magistrates ought not to have resigned, and said it was the duty of the Council to keep up the dignity of the colonial bench. Mr. Gibbs seconded the motion. •Mr. McMahon said a committee was useless as Mr. Oliver had reported to the Council. He agreed in the importance of appointing suitable magistrates, and could not agree that Mr. Oliver had made an unbiassed statement. Mr. Sparrow proposed to add the name of Mr. Curtis, to which that gentleman objected. Tlie Provincial Solicitor said he would like to see some other names on the committee, although he could not see the necessity for its appointment. He thought the Council would agree that it rested with the Superintendent to appoint officers, after consulting the magistrates, who were equally divided on this occasion. The magistrates had neglected their duty in resigning, and they had done so without expressing a strong opinion in favor of any individual. The Government were quite in favor of an investigation, and he proposed that Messrs. Burn and Simmonds be added to the committee. The House then divided with this result: — Ayes, 14; Noes, 2. The additional names were carried. Mr. F. Kelling would not support the motion, because he had not read the correspondence. Mr. Oliver replied, and justified the appointment of a committee, which was necessary to put a stop to a public scandal by placing magistrates in a state of antagonism, and bringing them into bad odour with the pubiic. He was anxious to limit the powers of elective officers, wliich, if exceeded, contained the seeds ofthe destruction ofthe constitution. The motion was negatived. On a division, the numbers was: — Ayes, 6 ; ]S T oes, 9. Mr. Oliver moved, That his Honor the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates the sum of £20, for the purpose of fencing in the public Cemetery in Upper Motueka Valley. Mr. E. Kelling seconded. Mr. Parker proposed, as an amendment, that £200 be substituted for £'20, to include the following places : Waimea West, Motueka, Waimea South, Takaka, and Upper Motueka Valley. Mr. Baigent seconded the amendment. Tho motion for -£'200 wns fyirripd.

THE PANAMA CONTRACT. Iv the New South Wales Parliament, on the 4th iustant, Mr. Macleay moved, That £55,000 was greatly in excess of any advantage New South Wales would derive from the Panama service, and that the contract be terminated with as little delay as possible. Mr. Parkes, the. Colonial Secretary, warmly defended the contract, aud stated that the Queensland Government were favorably inclined towards it; he considered the time to be approaching when the Colonies of Victoria, Tasmania, and South Australia would have to take charge of the Suez line, aud leave to New South Wales and Queensland the lines via Torres Straits and via Panama. The House divided — 11 for, 14 against, Mr. Macleay's motion was thus lost by three votes in a thin house. NEW SOUTH WALES. By our files of Sydney papers, we see that bnshrauging is as rife as ever. On the 9th. Nerriguiulah was the scene of violence, murder, and retribution ; a deserted hut near Gulph Creek was taken possession of by a gang of bushrangers, who stuck up a party of Chinamen, next Mr. Grove's, then the post-boy, the Messrs. Sunderland and E. Jones. As the victims fell into the hands of the miscreants, they were marched into the bush, and guarded by 20 of the gang. Mr. J. Etnmott was next stopped; he tried to escape, but the robbers fired aud killed his horse, next fired and wounded him. He had a considerable amount of gold aud money upou him which they took, he is severely injured. The gang next marched their victims to Mr. Groves Public House, where they left them, they then stuck-up Mr. Wallis's Inn, then Mr. Pollock's store. Mr. Pollock is the principal gold-buyer on the Gulf, and since the gold escort was knocked off has beeu in the habit of taking down his gold to Sydney, at intervals of four ov five weeks. On the following day, Mr. Pollock was intending to make the trip with his gold, and must have had iv his possession two or three hundred ounces. Mrs. Pollock was observed hiding the key which belonged to the safe in wliich the gold was lodged. One of the bushrangers took it from her. On reaching Wallis's, the thief who had the key iv his hand turned his head from Mrs. Pollock to speak to some one, when she snatched the key from him, and threw it into the street. They instituted a search, but before they found it dreadful occurrences took place. Mr. Bobert Drew was amongst those stuck up at "Wallis's, and, with a pistol at his head, he temporised with the ruffians, took his hands from his pockets, drawing out afc the same time a roll of notes, £40, he then placed his hands behind him with a jerk, throwing the notes at the same time from him. Before the ruffians could proceed further, Constable O'Grady had risen from a sick bed, and in company with Constable Smith had proceeded to the scene. Fletcher was in the doorway of the publichouse when O'Grady fired; the bullet glanced on Fletcher's arm which it struck, and afterwards entered his body at the armpits. The bushrangers immediately returned the fire, aud poor O'Grady was shot in the hip; he lingered for about three hours. Fletcher lived about au hour after being shot. The miscreants cleared off immediately Fletcher and O'Grady were shot, and although pursued eventually escaped. — S. 31. Herald, April 16. Eeporm League. — A conference of reformers was held on Tuesday at the rooms of the National Keform League. Mr. Beales presided. A resolution was agreed to declaring that the agitation of the question of a lodger suffrage should be postponed until tbe Government Reform Bill was before the country.

DREADFUL PARRICIDE AT THE ROCKS RIVER. On Thursday, a most horrible murder was committed at the Rocky River, the victim being an old man, named Donald M'Rae, and the murderer, his son. It appears, thafc the father and son were tunnelling in the bank of the river, along with another man, on Thursday last. About noon, the old man reproved his son for leaving too much dirt on the washing stuff. The son said nothing, but soon after he came behind his father, and suddenly struck his pick into the back of his head. Old M'Rae fell, apparently dead, on receiving the blow. His unnatural assailant then struck the pick furiously and frecpuently into the body until ifc became a mangled mass. The other man was attempting to get out of the tunnel when the murderer raised a pick to him, and threatened to kill him too. This would probably have happened had not a lame man who had come up, owing to what he had seen, attracted his attention at the moment. The ruffian went up td- him, put his hand on his shoulder, and told him to go away, or he would give him the same. ** This man ran as fast as he could to Mr. Joseph Brown's party jiud gave the alarm. In the mean time, the-" tnan in the tunnel escaped. Mr. Brown's party, who were at work a little way off, ran down to the spot. Mr. Brown went to the tunnel, where he saw the body of the murdered man. The neck was all torn open, and the body was covered with gashes and blood. He then shouted to the party outside that the man was murdered, to catch the son. Dnring the delay thafc followed Mr. Brown had some difficulty in protecting the parricide from being lynched on the spot. — Armidale Express, March 31. A German veteran, who actually served under the Great Frederick in the seven years', war, .has just died at the respectable age of 120, at the hamlet of Slaude, in Upper Silesia. His name was Laurence Halacz. Equal Rights.—" We have equal rights," said a dwarf to a giant. " Very trap, my good fellow," replied the giant, "yet you cannot walk iv tfly "shoes." " Ditto," replied the dwarf. * The following notice is found pasted on a bulletin of a Western Post-office : — " Lost, a sed Kaf. Hehad a white spot on lof his behind legges. He wus a she kaf. i wil give thro dollars to evrebuddi wut-'---will bring hym horn." — Yankee Paper.