I.—ll,

1883. NEW ZEALAND.

JOINT EDUCATION PETITIONS COMMITTEE (REPORT OF), TOGETHER WITH MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS, EVIDENCE, AND APPENDIX.

Beport brought up 29th August, 1883, and ordered to be printed.

ORDERS OF REFERENCE. Extracts from the Journals of the Legislative Council. Tuesday, the 24th day of July, 1883. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed to consider, and inquire into, and report upon any petitions presented to this Council alleging grievances resulting from the existing system of education; with power to call for < persons and papers, and to report within one month ; and with power to confer with any similar Committee of the House of Representatives." — (Hon. Colonel Brett.) [Three honourable members required that the Committee should be elected by ballot. The Committee having been thereupon balloted for, the Hon. the Speaker announced that the Hon. Mr. Acland, the Hon. Mr. P. A. Buckley, the Hon. Mr. Miller, the Hon. Dr. Grace, the Hon. Mr. Hart, the Hon. Mr. J. Johnston, the Hon. Mr. Lahmann, the Hon. Mr. Dignan, the Hon. Mr. Menzies, and the Hon. Colonel Brett would constitute the said Committee.]

Thursday, the 26th day of July, 1883. Ordered, " That all the petitions presented to this Council alleging grievances resulting from the existing system of education now before the Public Petitions Committee be referred to the Select Committee specially appointed, 24th instant, to inquire into this subject."— (Hon. Colonel Brett.)

Tuesday, the 7th Day of August, 1883. Ordered, " That five members be added to the Joint Education Petitions Committee, and that the said members be chosen by ballot. The said members having been thereupon balloted for, the Hon. the Speaker announced that the Hon. Mr. Barnicoat, the Hon. Mr. Bonar, the Hon. Mr. Holmes, the Hon. Dr. Pollen, and the Hon. Mr. Reynolds would be added to the said Committee."— (Hon. Colonel Brett.)

Tuesday, the 21st Day of August, 1883. Ordered, " That the time for bringing up the report of the Education Petitions Committee be extended for seven days."— (Hon. Colonel Brett.)

Extracts from the Journals of the House of Representatives. Wednesday, the 18th Day of July, 1883. Ordered, " That a Select Committee be appointed to consider, and inquire into, and report upon any petitions presented to this House alleging grievances resulting from the existing system of education ; with power to call for persons and papers, and to report within one month. Such Committee to consist of the Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. Barron, Mr. J. Buchanan, Mr. De Lautour, Mr. Feldwiok, Mr. Mcllraith, Mr. Munro, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. J. G. Wilson, and the mover ; three to form a quorum."— (Mr. Pyke.)

Thursday, the 19th Day op July, 1883. Ordered, " That the Education Petitions Commitees be empowered to confer with any similar Committee appointed by the Legislative Council."— (Mr. Pyke.)

Fbiday, the 3rd Day of August, 1883. Ordered, " That Standing Order No. 178 be suspended, in order that the number of members on the Education Petitions Committee may be increased to fifteen, by the addition of Mr. Fergus, Mr. Fish, Mr. C. J. Johnston, Mr. Dodson, and the mover."— (Mr. Swanson.)

Friday, the 17th Day of August, 1883. Ordered, " That the Education Petitions Committee have leave to postpone making their report for one -month."— (Mr. Pyke.)

BEPORT. The Joint Committee appointed to consider, and inquire into, and report upon petitions alleging grievances resulting from the existing system of education have the honour to report that, inasmuch as the Committee have not been able to carry out an exhaustive inquiry into the grievances from which petitioners affirm they Suffer under the operation of the Education Act, they do not see their way at present to .make any specific recommendation on the subject. The Committee, however, recommend that the minutes of proceedings and evidence accompanying this report should be printed. De Eenzie Bkett, 29th August, 1883. Chairman, Joint Committee, I—l. 11.