PARLIAMENTARY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 223, 20 September 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Wellington, Wednesday, v The House met at 2- 30 this afternoon. The speaker read a letter from Mr Fisher, member for Heathcote, stating' that he saw' Mr Peacock was disqualified in the Legislative for being a member of the Waimakariri Road Board, of which he was also a member. He desired, therefore, to know his position. The matter was referred to the same Committee as in Mr Kennedy's case. The Speaker ruled, on a question raised yesterday by Mr Curtis, that the Waste Lands Committee could not consider the new clause iv the Waste Lands Bill by which 25 per cent, of the land fund should be paid to the local governing body of the district. The following new Bills were introduced : —Wanganui Harbor Endowment and Borrowing Bill (Mr Bryce), Lyttelton Harbor Board Laud Bill (Mr Ormoud), Otago Roada Ordinance Amendment Bill (Mr Reid), Native Lauds Act Amendment Bill (Mr Rees), and Municipal Corporations Act Amendment Bill (Mr Travßrs). Mr Macandrew's motion re Otago branch railways was negatived by 30 to 27. A Committee was appointed to consider tho regulations and the nature of the examination for admission of surveyor* to practice. ■ It was , resolved that the House should adjourn at 5-30 to-morrow for tha Members' Ball. The debate on Mr Basting's motion regarding arterial roads was resumed. Dr Hodgkinson moved an amendment that a schedule of such works necessary to be undertaken by the Government should be laid before the House. Mr Stafford warmly supported the amendment, which was accepted by Mr Bastings. The debate was interrupted by the dinner hour. Thursday. The Auckland College and Grammar School Bill was partly considered in Committee and progress was reported. The Fine. Art Copyright, and Dunedin School Reserves Billa were read the third time and parsed. The Duuedin Reserves Bill was read the second time and referred to the Waste Lands Committee. In Committee on the Deceased Wife's Sister Marriage Bill, a clause was moved by Mr Rowe to legalise here all marriages legally contracted iv any part of the British dominions. This was negatived by the casting vote of the Chairman. An amendment by Mr Macandrew to also legalise marriage with a deceased husband's brother was negatived on the voices. The third reading was carried by 26 to 17, after a long speech from Mr Travers against the Bill, and one from Mr Swanson in support of it. The Bill was passed without amendment, and the House rose at 12*30 a.m.

The general effect of the amendments made in the Educatiou Bill is as follows:— The general inspection of schools is to rest with the Boards, the Minister of Education only appointing one General Inspector. Maori children may attend the schools, but the Maoris are not otherwise subject to the Act. Reserves and endowments for educational purposes are to be dealt with under a separate Bill. Open scholarships are established in addition to those for pupils for Government schools. Committees must be consulted regarding all appointments or removals of teachers by the Board. All provisions relating to capitation taxes are exercised. Elementary science and the principles of domestic economy are added to the subjects of instruction in the public schools. All religious teaching is forbidden by the provision that the instruction shall be entirely secular. Private schools iv outlying districts, if they comply with the terms of the Government schools, may be assisted by money, books, or apparatus. The compulsory clauses are made optional with the Local Committees, regular attendance at any school being a ground for exemption, and power of appeal to the Board is given.