GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXIX, Issue 8987, 19 September 1892, Page 6

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

. [BY TELEGRAPH.— PRESS ASSOCIATION.] HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Saturday, the estimates. After the telegraph office closed at two o'clock this moruing, Mr. Meredith's motion to reduce the Burnham school vote by £25 was lost. School for deaf mutes at Sumner, £3200. Mr. Fish severely attacked the management of this institution, and several members said after the statements made by the member for Dunedin the fullest inquiry should be instituted into the charges. Mr. Reeves said a Royal Commission had recently inquired into the charges of illtreatment at this institution, and had reported that there was no foundation for them. Mr. Fish that the item, board of pupils £1600, be reduced by £500. Mr. Reeves undertook if Mr. Fish would formulate the charges, to have a searching investigation made into them. Mr. Fish said he would make further inquiries into the statements, and if he found they were sound he would put them before the Minister in writing. Mr. Reeves said he would see whether a master and matron could be appointed to manage the institution, leaving Mr. Van Asch, the present master, to perform the duties of teacher onty, provided such a change would not be to the detriment of the children. After this assurance, Mr. Fish withdrew his motion, and tho vote passed. Lunatic Asylums, £41,079. Agreed to. Charitable Department, £159. Agreed to. Progress was reported at three a.m.