AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL

Thames Advertiser, Volume VII, Issue 1831, 4 June 1874, Page 3

AUCKLAND PROVINCIAL

COUNCIL-TUESDAY. EDUCATION BILL.—IN COIIMIJTEB. Mr Hamlin in the cbair. Mr Heed, on the order for resuming the consideration of the clauses in com' mittee, said he wished to make a state, ment upon the rating clauses, The Government had come to the conclusion that it was desirable to make considerable alteration in these clauses. Although Mr Whitaker's opinion was that the oliusos were valid, there was no doubt there would be considerable difficulty encountered in the way of enforcing theso differential rates. He believed it would be found impossible to coltoot the rates, although they were perfectly valid. The Government did propose to make coitain alterations. 'I hose alterations were not yet printed, but they would be iu the hands of hon. members at the evening sitting. He would, however, state the nature of these alterations. Jt was intended, to adhere as closely as pos. J sible to the present equal rating of £1 a house. In addition, the Government proposed a modification of what was called the bachelors' tar. Instead of £1, it was proposed to levy 10s under this head. The capitation allowance, however, it was proposed to increase from 5s to 10s. But these alterations would be a temporary arrangement. A large numbor of mem. bers of the Council expressed themselves favourable to a tax upon property. That might be feasible, and suoh a mode of taxation might be elaborated before next session of the Council. Under such cir. curastances, it was plain the Council must forego the hope of obtaining £5 000 from the Board of Education. But there was no course open to the Governmjnt to accept that as a liability due from tho Board of Education. He could only recognise it as such., The position 6f the quesiiou of provision for education would then be. that: -£9,000 had been advanced to the Board. Estimating the expenses of the' Board to be £22,000,. there would be £13,000 to obtain. The equal rating would probably bring in £10,U00. There would still remain £3,000. >I.t was hoped, by means of the increased capitation lee, the rents from endowments would realise the £3,0G0. Mr Dargaville said he ould scarcely, conceal his contempt for the shi.'ting ani shuffling whion had characterised the Government's action in this matter. He thought they had proved themselves un. equal to the position they took up. Mr Hurst was of opinion that the alterations proposed deserved serious consideration. Ihero was areison for the proceeding of the hon. member for City East. Mr i argaville: Had the statement been delayed that reason could not have existed. Mr Oarleton said ho would accept the alterations if there was any hope they would be adhered to. But the alterations were a justification of the course the Opposition had pursued. Mr Sheehan thought the hon. member (Mr Dargaville) had little reason to be so prodigal of his contempt. He had taken" a course to which his language and epithet applied. The hon. member had put himself at the head of the groundlings; who expressed their contempt for the Council. The hon. member sought with i patent kauri-gum medicine to provide a panacea" for all the evil, and with, loud words to split the ears of the groundlings. They saw the hon. member's name placarded about the town .< Ho was not to be'envied his triumph' amid the cry of" Staines and Dargaville forever." (-.aughter and cheers.) Ho believed the hon. member was auuounced to preside at a public meeting that eveu : ing. He saw nothing wrong in that. It was a judicial office. But', thel'hon member had manifested his readiiess to sacrifice tho respect of that Council io the cultivation of empty popularity. ' Mr Heed would ask leave to withd-aw the postponed clauses, that thebill might be re-committed for the consideration of ; new clauses, instead of the rating clauses ■ already passed. On the clause that 10* be insertad in i the place of 20s, in the bachelors' clausi-, Mr Tonks thought the' Government : ouglit'to abondon the whole thing. All this province could afford was schools for ibe out-districts. The biil of 1872 was a white elephant. He believed that the Couucil woul I have to come back to some simple system like that propounded by the hon. uio.uber for Paruod. Mr Sheehan said that rather' than abandon the bill he would abandon his seat on the Kxecutive benches, and in tho House. Question put, that the clause stand pari, of the bill, The. committee-divided; Ayes, 21': .'Bagnall, "Beveridge, Brown; Uyron, Carpenter, Oneeseinan, Crispe, Hay, Hurst, Moit, Ormiston, Philips Prune, Reed, Eoche,.Sheehan, Shepherd, Swan. Swanson, Taylor, Wilson. Noi's, 8: Ball, Boylan, Uadman, Dignau, Douglas, Moris, Tonks, Wood. fhV capitation clause was pissed in its new form, the 6Y being increased to 10sj and children included down to six years of age. A clause was drawn by. Mr Sheehan prodding for an application to the Bjard of Education for an exompiiou of children residing boyond two miles from any school, in case of bad roads or for other causes alleged. _ Progress made and reported, and leave given.to sit again next sitting day. THUIKS AND WAIKATO. Adjourned; debate on tho question,— That in the opinion of this Council, it is desirable to open up a road between tho Thames and Waikato via Ohinemurij and that a respectful address be presented to his Honor the Superintendent, asking him to place on the additional Estimates a sum of money sufficient to carry out this work. , Mr Swan resumed the debate. The Auckland members had promised to make the questiou of railway oommuaioation a condition of their support to the Colonial Ministry. But tho question had now become one of road communioition. The country between the Thames and Waikato was a moat important country. There was fear that'it would fall into the hands of If tho route were open, food, supplies would bo much m>m cheap aUho Thaws,

unaniroous on the subject, lie iioped' : they would wait no long upon the General Government, who had manifested Jukewarmncss and neglect. A bridgo across the Kauwaeranga would open a large arrear of country. But he believed tho General Government were opposed to settlement there. He was aware that they had thrown obstacles in the way of Europeans purchasing land. He heard from reliable authority that natives wore willing to sell, but the General Govern* ment prevented them, and obstructed settlement in that direction to a proportionate extent.

Mr Johnstone thought the existenoe of such a road as indicated would increase the value of the land. But ho believed it was a matter for the General Government. He thought tho Superintendent might use his influence with sucoess upon the subject. Mr Byron also thought it was a matter for.the General Government, whom he did not think would be altogether unwill« ing. He understood, from an engineer who had gone over the country, that the road would be most easily made. Mr Carpenter expressed similar views. He believed the Thames was tho natural outlet of the Waikato country. MfCadman thought the work suggested was the most important one that could be undertaken.

Vlr Ball thought the real question WSJ where the money was to come from. Mr Bagnall thought it would bo wise on the part of the provinoo if it were to set about raising the money for the pur*, pose. A most valuable country would bo opened—a country whioh would contribute largely to the wealth of the province, and provide a valmblo market and a location for settlers. The motion was carried unanimously.