PROVICIL COUNCIL. FRIDAY, JUNE 5. (From the Daily Southern Cross.)

Waikato Times, Volume VI, Issue 323, 9 June 1874, Page 2

PROVICIL COUNCIL. FRIDAY, JUNE 5. (From the Daily Southern Cross.)

The Education 33111 was fnrthcr considered in commit! eo. Mi Cri*po in the chair. 3Ir Jta^lun moved, " Thnt the following new clause be madcp.ut. of tl\e bill : Notwithstanding anything in the said Act contained, wherever throughout the province private common schools arc now or may be hereafter established imd whoso Miflieienej' of accommodation, competency of teaching, school requirements! and efficiency in the secular instruction required by the said Act arc certified by the Inspector, the Board shall grant in support of such schools such annual sum of money respectively as shall, according to the m 01 age full attendance of children at each of the said schools, be suflicient to meet the same expenses and demands as arr incurred and required respectively m the other schools established by the Hoard. And such private common s-chools aforesaid shall bo open to children of all denominations, who shall not rcceivo any religious instruction without the express consent of their parents or their guardians in writing." A discussion of considerable interest followed, and the committee divided. Ayes, 8; Noes, 31. Motion negatived. Mr Prime moved, " That it shall be optional with tho School Committee to allow a portion of the Holy Scriptures to be rend at the opening of the school, without comment by the teacher ; provided also that no child shall bo compelled to be present >vt such time without the consent of its parents or guardians." The committee divided. Ayes, 13 ; Noes, 2. Mr Reed moved the insertion of the following nevr clauses in the bill : — " 1 If any person liable to th<s payment of any rato loviable under the said Act shall knowingly make false representations to the Hoard, or to any District School Committee, for tho purpose of being rolieved from the payment of any such rate, or any part thereof, he shall be deemed guilty of a breach of this Act, and shall, on convicfion thereof, forfeit and pay any sum not exceeding £10. 2. In addition to any remedy giv<»n by the said Act, for the recovery of rates levied? thereunder, it shall be lawful for any person duly authorised bj the Superintendent in that behalf to proceed civilly in his own name in any Court of competent jurisdiction for the recovery of any unpaid rate or rat 03." Tho motion was ugreed to The bill was reported with amendments, and tho third reading fixed. Tho Highway Bill was further considered in Committee. Mr Sheehan brought down a new clause to enable districts to come before the Council, and ask for a special Act to enable them, to borrow. The discussion upon tho new clauso was postponed. The Opotiki Road Bill, in Committee, was read a third tinio and passed. Mr Ormiston inoved, " That a respectful address bo presented to his Honor the Superintendent, requesting him to tato steps to secure blocks of good land in various parts of tho Province, for special settlement by eligible persons residing in the said Provinco, and that his Honor be requested to communicate with tho Solect Committee now engaged in bringing up a report on the waste landi ot the Province, wi(h a view of obtaining such information as the committco may be able to impart." Mr Shcehan said the matter was in the hands of a Select Connmttpc. Tho motion was withdrawn. Council adjourned at 10 o'clock to 7 o'clock on Monday evening.