LATEST TELEGRAMS.

Patea Mail, Volume III, Issue 255, 19 September 1877, Page 2

LATEST TELEGRAMS.

[per press agency.] <■ KUMAR A. Hop! ember IS. A. foil of earth occurred in the tunnel of Jones’ claim at Delius. Two men were buried, but were extricated in an hour and a half by relays of miners. One man, Divine, is alive, but with his ankle badly contused. The other man, Jonathan Clements, is dead. 0 PARLIAM. E N T A R Y. hou.se of representatives. WELLINGTON. September 18. The House met last night, when the Education Bill was proceeded with. In Clause 85 Elementary Science was substituted for mechanics. A proposal to add Social Economics was negatived. Principles of Domestic Economy were added to the instruction for girls. A proviso making history noncompulsory was retained by 54 to 4. On motion by Mr W. Wood, that the words “ and the teaching shall be entirely of a secular character” were added to subsection 2, on a division of 39 to 19. On sub-section 3, a division of 35 to 19, refused an amendment by Mr Curtis to leave Bible reading and the Lord’s Prayer optional with committees. Mr Macandrew wished Catholic children in separate classes to read the Douay Version, but the whole sub-section was struck out on the voices. A proviso, that a play ground of at least a quarter acre should be attached to each school where practicable, was added to Clause BG.

After a long discussion, Clause 91 was altered to allow exemption to all children attending regularly, some private school or educational "establishment, not under the Board. Progress was reported, and the House rose at 12.30 The House met to-day at 2.30 p.m. The Wanganui Gas Bill was read a third time. Leave of absence for fourteen days was given to Mr Hursthouse. Referring to questions Ministers said 1. They were considering how best to utilise telegraph poles for advertising purposes. 2. That enquiries were being made regarding alleged altercations between the Bench and the Bar in the Timaru K.M. Court. 3. Government did intend to continue the office of Agent-General, and knew nothing of Vogel’s resignation. _ 4. Government had not permitted F. A. Whitaker to acquire the Hunui blocks, 1 to 4, extending to several thousands of acres, on the Waitoa River. 5. Government had no contract for coals with the Brunner or any other coal company at Greymouth. G.’ County Councils were not authorised to pay members either salary or travelling expenses.

7. Government did not intend to comply with the demands of Tawhiao or Itewi, for a return of confiscated lands. Extensive reserves were and always had been open in Waikato if they liked to occupy them. 8. The Public Works Estimates were not yet settled, could not therefore say whether the bridge across Port Aluuiri Harbor was provided for. 9. Until further information was received in reply to letters sent Government could not say what steps would be taken regarding the report ot; the Petitions Committee on Mrs McManus’ case. Now Bills introduced as follows —, Waiwera School Glebe (Thompson), Oamarn Reserves (Hislop), Lawrence Albcnromn Site Bill (J. C. Brown),, Havelock Athenaeum Endowment Bill (J. C. Brown). Mr Rocs moved for a committee to report whether Mr Kennedy forfeited his seat by being a contractor with Government. He desired also a committee to report on Clause 7 of the Disqualification Act, by which it secured that, a member once in the House could not enter into contract without forfeiting his seat; he also desired a committee to enquire whether Mr Whitaker had not forfeited bis scat. Ho would give notice of this. Mr Ormond said the Government knew nothing o[ .Mr Kennedy being concerned in any contract. Motion agreed to. The. Imprest Supply Bill No. 3, for £250,000, was introduced, and read a first lime

Mr Ormond moved the second reading oil the District Railways Bill. He reviewed the provisions of the Bill, and intended to make some alterations, and not to insist on clauses G7, 68, and GO. He would provide that Government should only have a right to purchase after five years from date of completion ; also insert a new clause to enable companies to construct railways in any district without a guarantee from the district, Government to pay 2 per cent, only, on resolution of both Houses. He believed the Bill would induce the formation of companies, and bo a useful measure.

After discussion, in which Travers, Macaudrew, Burne, Gisborne, Mamlers, Rolleston, Stout, Bastings, Kelly, iScymour, and Murray-Ay nsloy spoke in favour of the Bill generally, it was road a second time. In committee on the Education Bill, Clauses up to 99 were agreed to.