Latest Despatches.

Auckland Star, Volume XX, Issue 4078, 9 August 1883, Page 3

Latest Despatches.

[BY TELEGRAPH.-OWX BBPOBTEB,

WKLLI> GTON, this afternoon. Another Libellous Petition. In the House to-day Ml' Sheehan complained of a native petition reflecting oa his conduct. Major Atkinson promised to see into the petition, and, if it was as Mr iShechan stated, to move that it be not received.

Bishop Moran on Education,

Bishop Moran wa3 examined before the Education Petitions Committee, to«day. His evideoce was to the eflect that be did not btlieve it was the duty of the State lo educate children at aU. He thought education should be denominational, and that the several denominations should have the power of appointing their own teachors. He thought that tbe Catholics should receive capitation at the present ' Ihe Direct Steam Service.

In the Hoiue to.day, Mr Driver is to move for a select committee, in terms of resolution passed on the 7th, to consider proposals for a direct steam service between Great Britain aud NcvV Zealand, the committeo to consist of Messrs Rolleston, W. W. Johnston, Macandrew, Montgomery, Joyce, Sutton, W. C, BucbanaD, Swanson, George, and the mover. In the Council, Mr Pollen is to move on the same subjett, as follows :—" That a select committee be appointed, to whom should bo referred the papers presented to the Council on %.o subject of a ' direct steam service with Great BritaiD, I ■with power to confer with any committee appointed for a oimTbr purpose by the, House of Kepiesentiftives, and to report with as little dehyr as possible; the committee to consist of Messr3 Ackland, Hnlmea, Hart, G. W. Johnson, Menzies, Miller, Kichmsnd, Robinson, Williamson, and the mover."

Reduction of telephone Charges,

Mr Hurst's motion for the Telephone Committee has borne good fruit, and the member for Waitemata is entitled to the thanks of the subscribers to the several telephose exchanges. The report of the Committee, which will be brought up today, recommends substantial reductions, including a refund to thoso who paid £17 10s for the fi.-st year of £5. Subscribers will be entitled to use bureaux at half the price charged to the public ; and the cost of sending messages from Devonport, Takapuna, and Northcote, should the report of the Committee be adopted, will be reduced one-half.