CRICKET.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXX, Issue 52, 17 October 1914, Page 4

CRICKET.

ENGLISH VISIT DOUBTFUL. [By Electric Telegraph—Copyright] United Press Association. Sydney, October 16. The Hoard of Cricket Control decided on leaving the quesetion of sending a team to Australia next year in the hands of the Marylebone Club,, and adopted the Marylebone Club’s suggestion to limit the matches against the States to four and a half days, but declined to limit the tests to five and a half days, insisting on these being played to a finish. The Board agreed to bring the Australian follow-on rule into conformity with. the English rule.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. [Pee Pke«« Association.] Wellington, October IQ.. The Council met at 2.30. The Local Railways Bill was taken in committee. Certain additions to clauses were made, and then the discussion on other clauses was postponed. The Council rose at 3.15 p.m. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. The House met at 2.30 p.m. The Wairoa Harbor Board Endowment Bill was withdrawn on the motion of Mr McCallum. In x-eply to Sir Joseph Ward, the Premier said the Public Works Statement would be laid On the table on Tuesday. He still thought the House should close down this month. Discussing the business of the session, the Premier said they would probably go on with the Legislative Council Bill, the Land Bill, Education Bill, the Mining Bill, and the Cook Island Bills. Ho could not say whether the Conciliation and Arbitration Amendment Bill would be put through, but he expected to be able to make a more complete statement on Tuesday or Wednesday next. EDUCATION BILL. The House went into committee on the Education Bill. The Minister accepted an amendment from Mr Sidey giving representation to Boards of secondary and technical schools on district councils, and then the contest as to whether these councils should be set up was renewed, the Opposition dividing the House against the inclusion of clause 11 in | the Bill, the clause being retained by 29 to 28.

On clause 12 the Minister, in reply to Mr Russell, stated that for the future, the inspectors would be appointed by the Public Service Commissioners.

In clause 13 the Minister moved the amendment promised last night, setting up a Commission to allocate not less than seven and not more than nine education districts.

Sir Joseph Ward objected to the minimum limit, and urged that the Commission be given a free hand in that direction, the maximum being fixed at ten.

The Minister replied that he could not accept the suggestion. Mr Guthrie supported the Minister’s proposals.

Messrs Hanan, Hine, Colvin, and Okey urged the Minister to let the House fix number of districts once and for all, and not refer that question to the Commission as it was better to settle the matter now.

Sir Joseph Ward moved .that there be not less than ten education districts. The amendment was lost by 83 to 25.

The House then divided on the Minister’s amendment, which was carried by 44 to 14. { Mr Hiudmarsh moved, at clause 14, to elect members of education boards by popular election.

The Minister said it wou]d cost £lB,000 for rolls alone, and he could-not accept the amendment, which, on a division, was negatived by 31 to 27. On the motion of Mr Witty, subclause 5 of clause 15, struck out by the Education Committee, providing for the election of members of urban school districts on the municipal franchise, was reinstated. The House met at 8.30 p.m v and resumed the consideration of the Education Bill in committee. Clauses 12 to 23 were passed without discussion or amendment. In clause 24, at Mr Russell’s suggestion, the Minister agreed that the Public Service Commissioner shall appoint to the public service any person who, at time of the coming into operation of the Act, is permanently employed by an education board, the service of such officer to be deemed t° be a public service. Mr McCallum moved a further amendment with the object of retaining in the present districts the services of the permanent officers of the education boards that may be abolished. The committee divided on the proposal, which was defeated by 35 to 17. Some objection was taken to subclause 6 of clause 38, which provided for a majority of school committees in urban districts to form a combined district. Eventually it was decided that the proportion should be twothirds instead of a bare majority, and the clause thus amended was agreed to. Wellington, October 17. After the Telegraph Office clogqd, a division was taken on an amendment moved by Mr Hindmarsh to vest the control of the secondary schools in the Education Boards. The amendment was lost by 27 to 17. Mr Hanan moved an amendment to clause 93, to provide for pupils holding a certificate of competency to be admitted to technical schools free. The Chairman refused to accept the amendment as it meant an increase in expenditure, and the Speaker, on being consulted, supported the Chairman’s ruling. The clauses from 93 to 122 were then passed without amendment, and the Bill was then reported. The National Provident Amendment Bill was reported without progress, ■and the House rose at 2.30 a.m.