AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.-Friday.

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1811, 12 May 1874, Page 3

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.-Friday.

EDUCATION BILL. Ok this Order of the Day being called, the Provincial Treasurer (G. M. Reed, Esq.,) said: I have to' ask the indulgence of the Council in respect of this Order of the Day. I regret to inform the Council that I am not prepared to proceed with tho second reading of the bill this evening. Circumstances have occurred which have prevented me bringing to the statement of this question that amount of preparation which its importance demands. I would, therefore, ask the postponement of the second reading until Tuesday or Wednesday, nest week. I know there are sonie hon. members who are also desirous that they should bo allowed a longer time to consider the subject. I think that no injury .mil be done by the postponement, but 'rather that the slight delay will be a benefit.

Mr Carleton said: Ido not know what course the Council is prepared to take. I offer no opposition to the proposal. But I must protest against the injustice to couutry members of these repeated postponements. Mr Dargavillo thought it rather too much to ask the Council to consent to a postponement under the circumstances, and without any adequate reason being assigned. Mr' Wood thought the debate would be entered upon more intelligently and more satisfactorily if postponed to an early day in the week. Mr Hurst did not think it required five minutes to master the bill. He consi.dered it an insult to the common sense of the Council that such a bill should be submitted to it. Were : the laches of the Executive to be passed over without any expression of opinion upon the dilatory, un-business-like, and improper manner in which the business of the Council was being conducted? He had been a member of Council for some years, and he never remembered such an exhibition before. Mr Tonks said: No injury would result from delay, but rather an advantage, for hon. members would have time to consider more fully the provisions of the bill.

The Provincial Secretary (Mr Sheehan) did not intend to make any lengthened remarks. The "exhibition" of thehon. member opposite (Mr Hurst) ought not to be passed over without notice. His political programme of four or five months ago had been so completely smashed that he was now alone. That was' a sad fate for a politician.who aspired to be the leader of an Opposition in that House. He sougtit to lead away minds weaker than his own. (Laughter.) Mr Sheehan begged pardon; he meant of less political experience. When the hon. member was on that side of the House he was riot considered the most trustworthy person to bring in a bill at any time. Whatever the docision of the Council might be, the Government would conduct the business in a gentlemanly spirit, and with courteous manner. Tlie education question was one that ought to be outside the domain of politics altogether. If hon, members were prepared to visit the measure with condign punishment they might let it linger until an early day next week. After further discussion the question was put that the debate be adjourned to Tuesday, and it was carried without a division. education bate collectoes. Mr .Moat moved, "That a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to lay on the table of this House a return shewing the amount collected by each receiver of rates appointed under the Education Act, 1872, and the sum paid to hinii for collecting the same." He had heard that a collector bad-obtained'7s per cent, on the amount collected. That others were defaulters, and money which ought to be collected had not been brought into the Treasury. Mr Carpenter suggested that information should be given of the amounts under the household rate and the capitation clause.—Mr Bagnall suggested that the amount not obtained, which ought to have been collected, should be specified. —The necessary words were added accordingly, and the motion was agreed to. .