EVENING SITTING.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 4128, 14 July 1881, Page 3

EVENING SITTING.

The House resumed at 7.30 p.m. LO6AL GOVEBNMBNT. Sir G. Gbby asked leave to postpone the second reading of his Local Government Bill to thut day week. LAW PBAOTITIONBBB BILL. Sir G. Gbby moved the second reading of the Law Practitioners' Bill. It was an effort to establiih the rule observed in the United States, whero thore were fifty millions of people speaking the same language as ourselves, and whore it had been found to work well. The Bill left it to the Judges to test fcho learning of the applicant for admission. It was, in ono sense, a charter of freedom to New Zealand, as it would enable men from any calling to study for tho law — devoting their evenings to the study. In that way many eminent lawyers had arisen in America, and although many of thoße who studied did nofc succeed in passing, fche study would, nevertheless, be beneficial to them and to the community. By educating men as the Bill proposed the traditional trammels connected with conveyancing would be broken through, and a more reasonablo system adopted. The Hon J. Hall sympathised with the object of the Bill, and would bo glad to see the motion carried, but ifc seemed to him that fche Bill as framed left too wide a latitude to a single Judge. If a man had a good knowledge of law there was no reason why he should not be allowed to practice it. Examination was much more important than serving a certain number of years in an office, but too much latitude should not be given to a singlo Judge as to the examination. Mr Reeves pointed out that the Judges, not a single Judgo, wero to proscribe the examination ; a single Judge might only conduct it. Sir G-OBGE Gbby thanked the Premier for his remarks, but concurred with tho view . oxpressed by Mr Reeves. Ho did nofc think amendment was needed. The Bill was read a second time. On the motion for its committal that day fortnight, Mr SnEEHAN pointed out that fully half of thoso who, at 5.30, had voted againßt an adjournment, bad not been back to tlio House, and half of those wno had wero going away immediately, lfc was a mere sham going on with business under tlie circumstances. The motion fur committal thafc day two week*, was carried. EDUCATION BESEBVBB. The Houso went into Oomrnittoo on tho •• Education Reserves Act, 1877," Amendment Bill. Mr Sheehan objected to tho principle of tho Bill, and moved that progress i:c roportod. Mr BHBIMSKI complained that anytliing brought up by Otago inombers was sure to ho opposed. Ho compluinoi against the pr.rty with whom ho wns allied for withholding support in bucli matters, and intimi-'H his intention of Btanding aloof from that, purty in tho futuro. Mr Bastings, who was in charge of tho Bill, agreed to reporting progrem. Messrs Db Lattouk nnd Hyke supported and Messrs Mpeigut, Wiiitakkb, und others opposed tho Bill. ■ The motion was carried, and progress was ■ reported. QUESTION OF AD.TOUBNMBNT. Tho Hon J. Hall moved an adjournment. ' Ho explained thut tho Governor had mado ■ arrangoments for the first timo to ontcrtain mombors and the public of the city generally. < Under theso cirriimftances ho hoped thoro i would bo no objection. Mr Pykk objected, complaining that it was anothor attempt to rob members of their ■ privato business fitiy. > Mr Reevks .-.nd l)i- Wallis also objected > to the adjournment. Tho Houbo divided on the motion for ad- ■ joarntiiciit ; Avi'.a, 30 ; Sons, 13. Tho Houso rose at 8.55 p.m.