Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1262, 31 July 1880, Page 3

Wellington, Yesterday. The House met at 2.30.

Mr Kelly brought up the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the petition of Mr Ehrenfried, complaining thcit the Licensing Bench at the Thames had refused a renewal of licenses to five houses in that district. The committee found that the Bench was authorised by the Act to judge Avhether or not it was in the public iutere^t that such licenses should be granted or refused, and the committee advised that the House should not interfere in the matter. THE MAORI PRISONERS.

Mr Bryce asked leave to introduce) a Maori Prisoners' Detention Bill, and as it was a matter of urgency, he requested to be allowed to carry it throngh all its stages to-morrow.

ALEXANDRA-PUNIU ROAD. Replying to Major Te Wheoro, Mr Oliver said the engineer in cbarpre of road from Alexandra to Puniu advised that "the proposed line should be abandoned and another route selected. Government had not yet considered the proposal, but would do so as soon as practicable.

COMPENSATION TO CONSTABLES. Replying to Mr Reeves, Mr Bryce said the claims sent in for compensation by constables who had got notice of dismissal were under consideration and till they were disposed of, it was manifestly unfair to ask the intention of the Government with regard to individual constables.

RETRENCHMENT. Replying to Mr Barron, Major Atkinson said the Government would consider the amalgamation of the Marine with the Customs department; also with reference to a further retrenchment, endeavor to effect an amalgamation between the Land and Deeds Registry and tqe Stamp departments.

REPORTS ON SCHOOLS. Mr Moss called the attention of the Government to the valuable reports from the inspectors of schools laid on the table yesterday. Hitherto these reports had formed part of the departmental report. Mr Rolleston said he appreciated their value, and would see that they were printed in the appendix with the report.

VABIOUS BILLS. The District Court Act, 1858, Amendment Bill was withdrawn. The Municipal Corporation Act Amendment Bill and the Friendly Societies Act weie postponed. The Fire Brigades and Hospital and Charitable Aid Endowment' Bills were^eported with amendments.

EDUCATION RESERVES ACT. Mr DeLautonr moved the second reading of the Education Reserves Act, 1877, Amendment Bill. Government agreed to the motion on the understanding that full discussion would take place in committee. The Justices of Peace Act, 1866, Amendment Bill was discharged ; and the Mines Act, 1877, Amendment Bill was postponed.

UNIVERSITY BILL. Mr Tole moved the committal of the New Zealand University and University Colleges Bill, and explained its provisions. Mr Rolleston said the Bill proposed an expenditure that the colony could not afford. With the principle of the Bill he fully agreed. He would support the Bill in going into committee, but not further. The House went into committee. Sir G. M. O'Rorke expressed surprise that no notice had been taken by the Government of the recommendations made by the Commissioners on Higher Education. He had seen the advantage the South Island obtained from its Universities, and he earnestly desired to see the North Island enjoy similar advantages. On clause 2 being proposed, Mr Rolleston moved, "That progress be reported.'' Sir George Grey said that their primary education required to be supplemented, that the establishment of four colleges in New Zealand, all teaching different branches of education or science, would turn out men of varied knowledge and attainment. He saw no objection to only four being established, as they would have one at Dunedin, one at Chri&tchurcli, one at Wellington, and the fourth at Auckland. That would place them all on the East Coast, whereas he would like to see one established say at Tar.uiaki, and one on the West Coast of the Middle Island. At Otago and Chriitchurch the colleges were established by the public funds, and he did not see that any excuse would avail for not giving a simiar concession to the North. He would say — take funds from some of the endowments in the Middle Island, if no other means could be found. Mr Montgomery agreed with what had been said as to the desirability of the establishment of colleges in the North Island. Temporary buddings might be secured to make a start in. Mr Macandrew said that the Bill proposed to spend £30,000 in buildings, and £8000 per annum in professors. That was more than the colony could at present afford. Mr Bowen agreed that it was necessary that means should be devised for establishing a system of university education all over New Zealand. Colonel Trimble said that they must recognise the fact that these endowments were colonial, and not made for provincial purposes ; but he would deprecate the suggestion made for appropriating the Southern endowments for North Island purposes. Mr Hurst was afraid the colony was in danger of falling into the extreme of overeducation. The result was the professional walks of life— those of barrister, I etc. — were being crowded, to the detriment of other pursuits more directly of a I reproductive character. Mr Moss cautioned them against the superficial style of education followed out in some of the colonial universities. Sir G. M. O'Rorke disclaimed any intention of appropriating the South Island endowments for North Island purposes. What he desired to say was, similar provision should be made for the North which existed in the South. The motion for reporting progress was carried.

CHINESE. Mr Hutchinson moved the secoud reading of the Chinese Immigrants Bill. The motion for leaving the chair was then put and negatived, but was accordingly withdrawn.

DECEASED WIPE'S SISTER BILL. Mr Moorhouse moved the second reading of the Deceased Wife's Sister Marriage Bill. On a division, the second reading was carried by 27 to 9. Mr Moorhouse wished to have the Bill committed forthwith, but Dr Wallis objecting this could not be done. On the motion that it be committed

next Thursday, Mr Swanson moved the addition of the words " at 7.30." This led to some discnssion, the motion as amended being carried on a division by 28 to 13. * The House adjourned at 12.45 a.m.