WELLINGTON.

Auckland Star, Volume VI, Issue 1751, 24 September 1875, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Thursday.

The sitting this afternoon was mainly devoted to the discussion of the provision made in the Abolition Bill for hospitals, gaols, education, museums and similar institutions now assisted by Provincial Governments. Mr Ballance had moved an amendment to strike out the provision for enc'owirjg hospitals and other charitable institutions. Mr Sheehan said such a course would result in the closing of many hospitals. The Colonial Treasurer supported the same view. Sir George Grey argned against hospitals being charged against municipalities, on the ground that the country districts contributed as much to the burden as the town. —Mr Bolleston spoke in advocacy^of the same over both, with relation to hospitals and education. He thought education if compulsory must be free.—Mr Pyke objected to the theory that to be compulsory education must be free.—Mr Swanson pointed out that if the Government make people send their children to school they must provide Echools for them to go to. Mr Macandrew moved that museums, as well as charitable institutions and education he inserted in the clause, as he regarded such institutions as important aids to education. — Considerable discussions ensued bnt ultimately the amendment was carried, and Sir George Grey then moved for the insertion of public libraries, which, after debate, was also agreed to. Desire to Finish- - There is a desire on all sides now to get through with the business. It is felt that the appeal to the country which must follow, the close of the present session .is more likely to effect needful reforms than any possible legislation in the present House. There is, however, a great deal of but-intss yet to get through, and some of it wJi no doubt be sacrificed. Mr. T. L. Shepherd. Mr. T. L. Shepherd, who has for a long time assumed the role of " heavy father" to the goldtields, did a very foolish, although no doubt, in his own estimation, a very clever thing in relation to the gold duty. _ Sir George Grey had intimated his intention to introduce a bill for the abolition of the gold duty. Mr Shepherd thereupon forestalled the member for City West by placing a bill on the paper with the same object. Mr Brown shewed his sense of this ungentlemanly act by protesting against the course taken by Mr Shepherd and urged him to withdraw f«om the position he had assumed, which however he declined to do.- Sir George Grey without taking any notice of Mr Shepherd's biU gave the notice he intended to do, and both bihs were read a first time. That by Sir George Grey is for immediate abolition of the duty, and Mr Shephord's for its gradual extinction by reductions of sixpence an ounce.