PARLIAMENT.

Oamaru Mail, Volume II, Issue 435, 19 September 1877, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

. . (by telegraph.) Wellington, September 18. The following is the conclusion of Monday evening's sitting of the House of Representatives : The Education Bill was further considered in Committee. In clause 8">, "elementary science" was substituted for " mechanics " in the subjects of instruction. The proposal to add "social economics" was negatived. The " ] rinciples of domestic economy" were added to the instructions for girls. The provision making the reading of history non-compulsory was retain* d by 54 to 4. •On the motion of Mr. Wood, the words " and the teaching shall be entirely of a secular character" were added to sub-section 2 on a division of 3i) to 19. On sub-section 3, a division of 35 to 19 refused to agree to an amendment by Mr. Curtis to leave the reading of the Bible and Lord's Prayer optional with School Committees. Mr. Macandrew wished Catholic children in a separate class to be permitted to read the Douay version of the Bible, but the whole sub-section was struck out on the voices. The proviso that a play-ground of at least a quarter of an acre should be attached to each school when practicable, was added to clause 80. After a long discussion, clause 91 was altered to allow of exemption to all children attending regularly some private school or educational establishment not under the Education Boards. Progress was then reported, and the House rose at 12.30 o'clock. Si ptember 19. In the House yesterday afternoon, Fourteen days' have of absence was granted to Mr. Hurstliouse. Mr. Barlf asked the Government if they would endeavour to procure a full list of the persons on board the Avalanche, and the names of the survivors. Mr. ltcid said he would to-morrow ascertain the cost.

Iti reply to Mr. Swanson, Mr. M : LV'un said the Government were considering the best means of utilising the telegraph poles for advertising purposes. In reply to Mr. Murray, Mr. Whitakor said it was the intention of the Government to continue the o.'tice of the AgentGeneral after the expiration of Sir Julius Vogel's twelve months' engagement. In reply to Mr. Murray, Mr. Ormond said the Government had not permitted Mr. F. A. Whitakor to acquire Hiinm blocks 1, 2. 3, and 4. exceeding several thousand acres on the Waihoa river.

In reply to Sir Hubert Douglas, Mr. Whitaker said lie did not consider that County Councils could pay members either salaries or travelling expenses.

lii reply to Mr. Ta.iaroa, Mr. Whitaker said the Government I ad no intention to comply with the demands of Tawhaio or Rewi Maniopoto for the return of their confiscated lands. There were extensive reserves in the Waikato which had ahvavs been open to the natives if they liked to come in ;md occupy them. Tiie following new liills were introduced and read a first time :—The \Vaiwera School Glebe Bill (Mr. Thompson), the Oamani Reserves BUI (Mr. Uislop), the Lawrence Athenpeum Site Bill (Mr. J. C. Brown), the Bavelock Athenaeum Endowment Bill (Mr. J. C. Brown).

Mr. Rees moved that a Select Committee be appointed to inquire whether Mr. Martin Kennedy had forfeited his seat l>y being a contractor under the Government, and also whether Mr. Wnitaker was entitled to sit.

Tlie Speaker ruled that as notice of the latter part of the motion had not been given it could not be considered. Mr, Kees said lie wunld give notice with reference to Mr. Whitaker*, and move in reference to Mr. Kennedy only. Mr. Ormoiid said that, so far as he was aware, Mr. Kenned}' was not a contractor, nor was the company of which ho was Managing Director. Mr. Rees said he was informed that Mr. Kennedy's brother-in-law, Mr. Clark, was the contractor, but that the contract was for Mr. Kennedy's benefit, and had been signed by him. He believed the money paid by the Government for coal under the contract was annually paid to Mr. Kennedy's account at the Bank. The nominal contractor declared that he had no interest in the matter. What he alluded to in the Disqualification Act was an.oversight, by which it seems that a contractor could not be elected. There was nothing to prevent a member when once elected becoming a contract >r. Mr. Ormoiid sai I ihe Government knew nothing as to who was behind tne contractor whose tender was accepted in the ordinary course. The motion was.agreed to. The Imprest Supply Bill No. 3, for L 500,000, was introduced by Message from tne Governor, and read the first time, the second reeding being fixed for Friday. Mr. Ormond moved the second reading of the District Railways Bill. He said the Government had during the recess carefully considered the question, and came to the conclusion that they should cqntine.Jihevr o.per-atiun.S.tn tl.i^completion ; of main trunk lilies/ Tiiey were quite aware of the necessity of making branch railways, ; but ■ did not see their way to undertake such works. He believed that

the Bill would enable districts which dedired {o do so to connect themselves with the main lines. It made the lands which would be benefited by the railways pay the cost, and left to the people themselves to decide whether they would have a railway or not. Full particulars of the scheme had first to be obtained, and then the sanction of the County Council. If the Council did not object, then the sanction of the ratepayers h.nl to be obtained by vote, and then the Governor's consent had to be obtained before any company could proceed with the work. The lands in a district were to lie classified in proportion to the benefit they would derive. The company could then proceed with the work, and the Bill continued full provisions to enable them to carry out the work with facility. Since the Bill had been circulated the Government had determined on an alteration by which the Government could purchase at any time after five years from the date of the opening of the line. Only 10 per cut. increase on the actual valuation was to be paid, and nothing for the good-will. The Gowrnm-nt did not intend to press clauses 07, 03, and 01) ; but would leave it to the companies to fix their own rates and management, simply stating in the first instance the maximum chaive and the minimum number of trains intended to be run on aline. Tiie rate leviable by local governing bodies for the maintenance of railways was limited to 5 per cent., the Government to snppl■•meiit this by 2 per cent, from the consolidated revenue. When

the profits on any mil way reached 7 per cent., sill raUs or subsidies were to cease. They proposed to ra*e Crown lands, and to add accumulated rates to tlio upset price when the land was sold. Since the Bill was printed, lie had come t,o the conclusion that its operations coald be beneficially extended. Njw clauses would be introduced to enable any contractor to

enter into railway works without any gnarantee from land owners in the district, but with the simple Colonial guarantee of 2 per cent. This, however, should only be payable on a resolution of both Houses of Parliament. Tie Government would require to lie .satisli d of the ability of any such coinpniy to perform tlie work, and would r quire S' enrity. He believed it desirable t.iat the Bdl should become law as soon as possible, as c nnpanLs were already waiting to act under it. Mr. Travels thong' t live years' monopoly before the Government could purchase was too short to inducj cipitalists to invest in a railway, and thought from 14 to 20 years would or that within such period the Gu'Vei iim,mt shon'd have t ie right to purchase at full value. He thought the power given to loc d bodies would r quire careful c uisidera:ion, as any one of tliein .along a line might interfere with the construction of a line which would only be us -ful as extending from one point to another. Where they saw the work .vould be beneficial to the district as a. whole between given termini- p iwer s ;ould be taken to over-rule the objections of any single local body or small section of ratepayers. Mr. Mac.-mdrew thought the best thing would lie at once to affirm the principle of the Bill, as the Government had s-.id they would accept any atnendm mts in Committee calculated to improve it. As it stood, it would hardly indue.: any company to enter into speculation, but it

iniiht lie mad ; a useful measure. Mr. Burns thought Borough Councils should lie given the same powers as Countv Councds.

Mr. Gishorne recognised the valuable character of the Bill, and thought boroughs should be consulted also. Mr. Manders said he had received telegrams from 11 is district that the Bill would suit admirably.

Mr. It- -lleston urged that all the lines required throughout the Colony should be laid down, anil lands reserved as well as village reserves lie laid oil', and provision ni ;de for settlement along- the railway lines.

Mr. Stout objected to County Councils

being given the [tower of veto, that of the ratepayers b'dng sufficient. He thought a longer term of y ars should be given, and quoted the Duuedin Chamber of Commerce resolutions on the Bill.

Mr. Bastings thought a 14 years' monopoly should be given, and some limitation placid on the veto power of County Councils.

Mr. Kelly urged that extensive reserves along railway lines should be made. Mr. Seymour urged giving the companies a width on each aide of the line which would induce them to settle people so as to increase their tr.illic. Mr. Larnach supported the Bill, but thought a minimum of seven years' enjoying should b" given before the right of Government purchase accrued. Mr. Murray-Aynsjey thought it sufficient fo provide for compensation being paid if the lines were taken within a certain period. Mr. Ormond, in reply, said it would be for the House to settle t e time of enjoyment to be given. T.ie Government would accept the wishes of the House in the matter. The Government should have ti;o power to take the railways at any time on pa\i:ig full compensation. He would introduce a clause to this effect. He -thought 7 per cent, for five years and a pro.it of 10 per cjnt. should induce the investment of capital. He was not wedded to giving County Councils the power to vote. He fully recognised the principle urged by Mr. Rollesion as one absolutely necessary to bo carried out. So soon as the direotion of the main lines could be determined, reserves for settlement would be made. The Bill was then read a. second time, without dissent.

The Education Bill was again considered in Cuimuutee, and clauses up to S9 passed.

The usual adjournment then took place. At the evening siltinir, the consideration of the Education Bill in Committee was resumed. Some slight alteration*! were made in the sub-sections of clause 100, and the whole clause was passed on a division by 47 to 15 The remaining clauses up to 103 were passed. Mr. Bowen withdrew Part V. of the Bill, relating to Educational Reserves and Edowments, ns he intended introducing a Beparate Bill to deal with the subject. Tiie postponed clauses were then reconsidered, and passed with the necessary alterations.

After a long discussion on Mr. Curtis' new clause to introduce the Nelson system of aided schools, it was rejected mi a division by 3d to IS.

Mr. Harper's new clause to allow of otie whole day or two half-d iys each week being set apart for religious instruction was negatived on the vo ees. Mr. Sheehan's am •ndmeiit to make the enforcement of the compulsory clauses of the Bill optional with the various School Committees was agreed to. Progress was tiien reported, and the House rose at 12.40 o'clock. (For continuation of Kara hoc Fourth Pnge.J