Evening Sitting.

Thames Star, Volume XII, Issue 3913, 14 July 1881, Page 2

Evening Sitting.

THE LAW PKACTIONEKS' BILL,

Sir Grey moved the second reading of the Law Practioners' Bill. He explained its object was to admit to the bar all persons of good character, who could pass an examination in law. This had long been the practice in America, and worked most admirably. In opening study of law a large class of persons now debarred would, he beli ved, prove most beneficial in its effects on this colony.

Mr Hall sympathised with the object of the bill. He thought admission to the bar should depend rather on the results of an examination than on having served a certain number of years in an office. At the same time, the bill was rather crude, as it left the examination to one judge. If a man had a good knowledge of Jlaw, he certainly saw no reason why he sliould not be allowed to practice it. He would support the second readin*, and amendments could be made in committee.

Mr Reeves said the judges were to prescribe the standard—not one judge. The single judge was only to see that the prescribed examination was passed.

Sir G. Grey, in reply, concurred in this view.

The Bill was read a second time. EDUCATION r.BnjRNB ACT. The Education Returns Act 1877 Amendment Bill was then considered in committee. Messrs Bastings, Pyke. DeLautour and others supported the Bill, and Messrs Sheehan, Speight, Whitaker, and others opposed it. Progress was reported. Mr Hall moved an adjournment. Messrs Pjke, Wallace, and Reeves opposed it. The House divided —Ayes, 30 ; noes, 13.

The House adjourned at 8.55