SIR R. DOUGLAS MEETS HIS CONSTITUENTS AT MAUNGATUROTO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 5394, 1 March 1879, Page 5

SIR R. DOUGLAS MEETS HIS CONSTITUENTS AT MAUNGATUROTO.

Os the 3rd instant, a meeting of the electors of the settlement wag convened for the purpose of meeting Sir R. Douglas, M.H.R. Mr. J. Hurndall was voted to the chair, and briefly introduced Sir R. Douglas, who addressed the electors at considerable length ou the proposed Electoral Bill, to -most of which he was quite averse, especially the dual vote to the natives. This opinion was folly endorsed by all present. On the question of education he was in favour and voted for Mr. Curtis's Bill, viz., to introduce denominational education. The entire audience was altogether opposed to Sir R, Douglas on this question, and earnestly protested against his views and the vote he' had given. Sfr Robert maintained that all mention or acknowledgment of the Deity was prohibited in our public schools by the present Act. As the teacher of our district school (Mr. W. M. Flower) was present, he was at onoe appealed to. Without any hesitation he same forward and said, that while there was no religious teaching, nor was the Bible read, the school-books authorised by the 3overnor-in-Coancil did not exclude the aacne of the Deity ; but, on the contrary there were reading lessons in poetry and prose of sacred history. In proof of which tie handed to the Chairman Nos. 5 and 6 reading books of "Nelson's Royal Readers." Sir Robert looked at then*, confessed he had aot seen or examined the lesson books aefore, and, in fact, did not know anything iboufc them. He said that no teacher dare question scholars on those lessons, viz., Miriam's Song," "Destruction of Sennacherib's Army/' "David's Lament for Absalom," " Behold the Bridegroom Cometh," "Too Late," "That Day of Wrath," "The Deluge," "Paul at Athens," &c. (dur teacher maiutained that teachers io question their scholars on such lessons, and that when those lessons are read in the school under his charge, he never hesitated to do so. The meeting was altogether in favour of the present Act, and desired no alteration. Sir Robert Douglas was asked whether he would support the petition of the residents of the North of Auckland for a railway bo Mangonui, and he replied that he could aot say that he would ; or, at any rate, before tie did so, he should like to see a survey of the route, and know .?hat the cost of such a svork would probably be. In fact, he did not think the North required a railway at all; but, if it did get one, it must forego any Government assistance in the construction of ardinary roads. The opinion of Sir R. Douglas on this railway question did not coincide with the views, wishes, and desires Df his audience. On the motion of Mr. W. Rowsell, seconded by Mr. R. Martio, a vote 5f thanks was passed to Sir Robert Douglas r or his visit. Sir Robert expressed his satisfaction with the vote, and moved a vote of :hanks to the chairman, which was parsed nauimously.—[A Correspondent.]