Wellington, August 24th.

Otago Witness, Issue 1031, 2 September 1871, Page 13

Wellington, August 24th.

Mr Stafford was yesterday formally offered a seat in the Ministry, but unhesitatingly refused. The offer was made through Mr Hall, to whom, it is understood, a similar offer has been made, and it is thought not improbable that he will accept it, but nothing is as yet known as to what his decision will be. The House only sat for two hours today, The Government, in reply to Mr Steward, promised to bring in a Bill to extend the franchise in the direction of including lodgers. Taiaroa's motion for a Council of Native Chiefs of the Middle Island was carried. August 25th. Mr Yogel explained in the Hoitsg that owing to the strike in the Government Printing Office he was \mable to lay on the table his report and the papers connected with his mission. He hoped, however, to do so on Tuesday, and to make his Financial Statement this day fortnight. Owing to the late period at which Parliament had met, the Government would endeavour to expedite the business, and confine it to absolutely necessary measures. Mr Gisborne proposed to send Mr Carruthers, who is an experienced marine engineer, to report on the Timaru harbour works. The Speaker read a letter from Sir Charles Clifford, suggesting the formation ' of a gallery for the portraits of all the Speakers of the House of Representatives, and offering his own to commence with. Mr Fox moved that the offer be accepted with thanks, and that tho portrait be hung in the House, Mr Hall supported the proposal, expressing his great pleasure- at such an offer. The motion was carried. August 26th. The strike amongst the Government printers continues. Several men arrived from Napier in the Luna last night, but now refuse to work, saying that they had been deceived, and that they were unaware of the existence of the strike, If they had gone to work, all the permanent hands in the office had agreed to turn out. Mr Didsbury goes to Greymouth to-day in the Luna to try and got hands.

Mr Macandrew has postponed his resolutions till Tuesday week.

A Committee on Native Industries has been appointed.

The Education Bill is now in course of circulation, and will be introduced by the Premier on Tuesday. A Cabinet Minister is to be the Minister of Education, with a Secretary and Inspectors ; the Minister to be ci 1 ufficiu a member of the New Zealand University, and to administer the Native Lands Act. Every province, and Westland also, is to be an Educational District, with a Board composed of the Superintendent, one member elected by the Superintendent and Executive, and live members elected by the Provincial Council from the inhabitants of the province. Until the Provincial Council meets, the five members are to be elected by the Superintendent and Executive.

All appointments and all property held under Provincial Ordinances are to continue under the new Act. The powers, duties, and proceedings of the Boards and School 'Committees, and the election of Committees, are almost the same as under the Otago Ordinance, as also are the School Districts. Females are eligible for election on Committees, and may also vote at elections of Committees. The Board is to elect teachers, great" weight being given to the recommendation of the School Committees. The teachers must be certificated by the Minister of Education. Provision is made for District Schools, Grammar Schools, High

Schools for both boys and girls, Provincial Model Schools, a Colonial Training Col lege, Free Schools, Provincial Scholarships, and Teachers' Libraries. A competitive scholarship is also to be founded at a College or University for pupil and other teachers, and certificates will be granted to the meritorious.

A school fee is to be paid, but the School Committees may exempt, and the Boards pay for, destitute children.

Every child between 7 and 12 years of age, within two miles of a school, must attend school, unless exempted by the School Committee or a Justice of the Peace for valid reasons. The parent of any child nut at school, and not legally exempted, may be summoned before two Justices of the Peace and fined 40s from week to week.

The Board is to pay a proportion of the cost of the school buildings, teachers' salaries, and other expenses ; the remainder to bo paid by the School Committee.

The Governor may, oxitof a vote by the Assembly, augment the salaries of teachers by capitation grants for the attendance and proficiency of pupils. The Governor may lend the Boards or Committees money, if any is voted by the Assembly, or may empower them to borrow on an assignment of rates to defray the cost of buildings and improvements, If sufficient money is not provided by reserves, rents, and Provincial Council Appropriations, the Board may make up the deficiency by a Provincial rate, either a household rate not exceeding 40s, or on the annual value of property a rate not exceeding 6d per £. The Board, at the request of the School Committee, may levy a special district rate, either household or on the annual value of property as above, for the purpose of defraying the district's proportion of the cost of buildings or for increasing the efficiency of the school ; but the district's proportion of the teachers' salaries and ordinary current expenditure is to be defrayed from the school fees and donations.

Two classes of public schools will be recognised, viz., Provincial Schools and Aided Schools, Both must conform to specified conditions as to a strict conscience clause, inspection, and efficiency. In both secular instruction must be given consecutively four hours daily, and religious instruction only at the opening or close of bcliool.

The Provincial Schools are those maintained wholly by the Boards and School Committees. In them the Bible is to be read daily at the opening or close of school, but no religious catechism of any particular sect is to be taught.

The Aided Schools may be either within or without the school districts, and may be maintained by private individuals or associations, The Boards and the Governor may, at discretion, aid such schools if the conditions as to a public school are complied with.

No grant will be given to any school in respect of religious instruction.

All schools, and the educational department of all public institutions, must be regularly inspected.

The Governor is to frame regulations for carrying out the provisions of the Act.

Periodical reports are to be furnished by the teachers, School Committees, Education Boards, and Minister of Education.

If a Board fails to provide adequate school accommodation, the Minister of Education, on the conrplaint of the inhabitants or the report of the Inspector, may. after due enquiry, provide for the deficiency, and charge the cost out of the Provincial capitation allowance.

Reserves for education may be made in each province by the Governor or Superintendent under the Waste Lands Acts. All reserves so made or to be made to rest in the Board of the Province in which they are situated, and to be administered by the Board for the behoof of such province. The Act comes into operation on the Ist January, 1872. August 28th. The Hansard printers have offered to resume work if the Reporting Debates Committee will institute a thorough enquiry into their case. Mr John Hall is understood to have refused to join the Ministry. August 29th. The Waiareka Hundred is proclaimed. In the House to-day the Coastal Regulation Bill was read a second time. The question of the probable effect of the Chinese immigration upon the Goldfields and the social condition of the t colony has been referred to a Select Committee to report upon.

Mr Fox introduced the Education Bill without remark, proposing to take the second reading on Thursday. Mr Mervyn urged delay until time had been allowed for the country to express its opinion of the measure.

Mr Macandrew thought the Bill might be left over to next session. Mr Stafford urged that it should bo

gone on with immediately, and expressed 1 his general approval of it.

The Government promised tv circulate the Bill extensively, and not unduly to press the other stages. The second muling was ordered for Thursday.

Mr Macandrew has introduced Bills for Special Settlement and Education Reserves. To-day's sitting is over.