PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 14703, 10 December 1909, Page 5

PARLIAMENTARY NEWS.

NOTES FROM THE PRESS GALLERY.

(FaoH Our Own ConnF.sroMDENT.)

WELLINGTON, December 9.' A case of dismissal from the Tc Oranga Homo which attracted some attention at the time was reported on by the Education Committee to-day. Ada Harrison represented that she was dismissed from the position of day school teacher at the Home for insufficient reasons, and prayed for reinstatement or an equivalent position in the civil service. The committee found that tile petitioner was fully qualified for the position of an ordinary public school teacher, but did not-adapt herself to the special requirements at To Oranga. Her dismissal was not arbitrary or unjust, arid was not the outcome of her evidence given at the late inquiry. The committee recommended that a testimonial should bo given to the petitioner, as had been offered by the Inspector-general, recommending her to any Education Board for employment, and tliat the department should, if any suitable vacancy occurred, offer her the "position. TEACHERS' PASSES.

In reply to the petitions of over 500 school teachers that free pauses should bo allowed them to attend classes, the Education Committee reported to-day. as follows :—Having further considered these petitions and the evidence thereon, tho committee is of opinion that they (should lie referred to the favourable consideration of the Government, subject to the imposition of such safeguards against abuse as may bo considered necessary.

KAITANGATA DRAINAGE BILL. The Local Bills Committee reported today recommending that the Kaitangata Draiha-M Bill 1)3 not allowed to proceed, as it dealt with endowments, and the) authority of tho Crown had not been ob kined CAPITAL SITE BILL. The Capital Site Bill, which has been introduced by Mr Glover, was circulated to-night. It is- a measure of five short clauses. It is provided that on and after a day to be specified by the Governor by proclamation the seat of government of the Dominion shall be removed to tho City of Auckland. The Minister of ftiblio Works, out of the funds to bo appropriated for the purpose, shall provide such public buildings in Auckland as may bo necessary for the conduct of public business. In order to obtain the necessary funds, tho Minister of Finance is to bo authorised, according to the bill, to borrow up t0,£100,000 at a rale of interest' not exceeding 4 per cent. It is pioposcd to give power to the Government to sell, lease, or otherwise dispose of such of tho public building.? in Wellington as will bo rendered unnecessary by the removal of the scat of government, and to apply tho proceeds towards defraying the cost of tho new buildings at Auckland.

TRANSFERS OF CROWN LEASEHOLDS.

During the pa.4 two years 3431 transfers of Crown leaseholds have been allowed by Land Boards. The area of land thus transferred is 2.181 016 acres. Tlio number of transfers, in the different land districts have been as follow :-Auckla„d, 083; lawkes Ray, 2-39; Taranahi. 401; We.lbngtor, 655; Xelsmi, 76; Marlboromdi, 106; Westland, 159; Canterbury, 535 Otago, 305; Southland, 272