AUCKLAND NOTES.

Press, Volume LI, Issue 8742, 14 March 1894, Page 5

AUCKLAND NOTES.

March 13. An unusual discussion took place at the Harbour Board to-day aa to the rights of members to see the books and documents. One member stated that an official had refused to lee him see the books. It waa pointed out that if this was the correct and legal position the members would be reduced to nonentities. It was resolved to call upon tbe official for an explanation. The Educational Institute forwarded au explanation to justify its request that the Education Board would reconsider its regulations re corporal punishment, which at present could only be administered by a head master or by an assistant in his absence. The Institute believed that the regulation had seriously impaired the discipline. The children knew that no assistant teacher could administer corporal punishment, and consequently acts of insubordination had increased and were increasing. This request created a considerable discussion, the general opinion being, however, in favour of the regulation being retained. It was decided to defer the question until next meeting, iv the meantime the regulations of the London School Board to be consulted.

In view of the importance to Auckland of the kauri gum industry, which is at present in rather a bad it ia expected that there will be a large attendance at the meeting called by Mr Adam Porter in the Harbour Board public room to-morrow afternoon. Amongst the questions for discussion is the possibility of reducing supplies for a limited time, owing to falling prices, and the best means of doing so.

His Honour Mr Justice Conolly commented in pretty strong terms at the Supreme Court this morning en the unintelligibility of the handwriting in which some depositions had been taken. He said he had only been able to ascertain in a general way what the evidence really was, there being many words that were unreadable. Such illegibility might cause considerable trouble where there was a conflict between the statements made by a witness in the two Courts.

At the Executive meeting of the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute it was reported that a new branch of the Institute had been founded at Pukekohe, called the Franklin branch. It was resolved in connection with the proposed Working Men's College that the Auckland branch of the New Zealand Educational Institute is in entire sympathy with the movement to establish aVVorking Men's College in Auckland, and will render any aaaiatance within its power towards establishing such a college.