May 16.

Tuapeka Times, Volume V, Issue 225, 23 May 1872, Page 6

May 16.

The Speaker took the chair at two o'clock this afternoon. PETITION. Mr Bastings presented a petition from the Town Council of Cromwell respecting a sale of land. REPLIES. In reply to Mr Bastings, it was stated that the Government were not prepared to spend LIO,OOO in the construction of public works in the district in which 45,000 acres of land were sold. It was sold to reduce an overdraft, and if LIO,OOO were spent in that district, other districts would have to be neglected. In reply to Mr Smith, it was stated that two sheep inspectors had received notices that their services would not Tbe required Messrs J. R. B. Thomson and H. N. Campbell. Seniority in the service and necessary qualifications were not overlooked, but it was intended ta do the whole duties of the department with three inspectors. MOTIONS. Mr Hickey moved that in the opinion of the Council the gold duty should be reduced 6d per ounce each year until it was entirely abolished. He considered it an oppressive tax upon an industry that had not been fostered and encouraged by the Government. The goldfields were in different circumstances from their earliest days, and the improved communication with the interior rendered the tax unnecessary. Mr Shepherd considered that, If the whole proceeds of the gold duty was spent in improvement on the goldfields, it would not be objected to. The Provincial Secretary moved as an amendmeat that the gold duty should be reduced. That was all that could be done, and probably the General Assembly would agree to that. Mr M'Glashan considered that the number of Chinese paying the gold duty should not be forgotten. He was not prepared to vote for the motion on that ground. The amendment was carried, with an addition proposed by Mr G. F. C. Browne, that his Honor the Superintendent be requested to transmit the resolution to the Govern „*. On the motion of Mr M'Dermid, a select committee was appoieted to inquire into the working of the steam dredge. EDUCATION. Mr Tolmie resumed the debate. He considered the subject had been fenced with by honorable members. He thought this ought not to have been. The community numbered 70,000, of whom 10,000 were Roman Catholics. Concessions were asked of the Protestants that ought not to be granted. Whatever was disagreeable to the Roman Catholics should be removed from our system of education. Beyond that he was not prepared to go. Denominationalism had been a failure everywhere. He should like the Bible to be read, the Lord's prayer and commandments lea-nt, otherwise no feeling of responsibility could be induced on children. He advocated compulsory education. It had been tried in America with great success. He hoped the Government would bring forward a resolution acceptable to the House, and net the wishy washy mealy mouthed resolutions proposed yesterday. He WOUlcl have a national secular education, but would wish the moral law recognised. Mr Green wished the Council to decide whether the system should be denominational or secular. The previous resolutions left the question where it was before. The terms of the amendment of the Hon. Mr Holmes affirmed denominationalism. The term " national " did not apply to the Colony. It would be many years before it became a nation. The course pursued by the mover had been objectionable, for it was only intended to catch votes. Many Roman Catholics had told him if the Bible were excluded and a purely secular education imparted, they would send their children to the schools. It was therefore the duty of the Council to adopt such a resolution as would reconcile all classes to an educational system. He moved— "That the following words be added :— ' Recognises the right of all classes of the community being placed on an equal footing, and participating equally in the advantages of the public schools, and is further of opinion that this can only be secured by the adoption of a purely secular system of education.' " Mr G. F. C. Browne wished that the words " from which the reading of the Bible and other religious instruction shall be excluded," should be added. Mr Green had no objection to add those words to his amendment. Mr M'Dermid asked if the schools where there would be no difficulty in Bible reading should be deprived of it, because in some schools it would be objected to ? The Hon. Mr M 'Lean would nofc be a party to such a proposition, for on a similar ground every historical work should be excluded^

proved considerably during the past fortnight, reviving the spirits- of the shareholders, who have for a long time been working under very discouraging circAim.stauces. Dyer's party have a few tons of quarti on the surface, but no crushing has takeu place since it has fallen into their hands. They are sinking a new shaft, which has reached a present^d^pth of about sixty

The Alexandra Company are raising stone from their eighty feet level. . The quartz has become very hard and difficult to break out. Little alteration has taken place in the- returns from this claim for some time past. The average weekly yield is said to ba about twenty-two ounces. Watson's party, after eight months hard work, have failed in discovering any trace of the reef in their claim. They are driving the first shaft sunk by them, and are in hopes of striking the reef in the ■course of a few weeks — if it is to be found ataJL