THURSDAY, JULY 10.

Otago Witness, Issue 1901, 17 July 1890, Page 17

THURSDAY, JULY 10.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL REFORM., In the Legislative Council, The Hon. Sir G. S. WHITMORE moved the second reading of the Legislative Council Bill, and in doing so, said he had introduced the bill on the eve of a general election, because he desired to show the country that the Council was not averse to an alteration in the constitution^ the Council if such were desired. Whilst saying this, he might remark that whilst 16 bills to reform the Legislative Council had been introduced into Parliament, in none of them had the system of electing members in the place of nomination been proposed. He was convinced that any attempt on the part of any Ministry' to swamp the Council would be resented, not only by the Council itself, but also by the people, who, he believed, were in perfect accord with the Council, which they regarded as conservors of their rights, and as one of their safeguards. He then gave a history of the various measures introduced. ' The Hon Sir F. WHITAKER said, as the bill contained a small modicum of concession, he had agreed, after consulting his colleagues, to support the second reading. 1 The Hon. Mr PHABAZYN opposed the bill, as he did not consider there was any demand outside for a change from nominating members for life instead of 10 years as provided in the bill. ' On the motion of the Hon. Dr POLLEN, the debate was adjourned till Wednesday. i • PRIVATE SCHOOLS.. On the motion of Mr Goldie a return has been laid on the table showing the number, of private schools in New Zealand and the number 'of pupils attending them in December, 1889. The return shows that there were a total of 135 boys' schools, 61 girls' schools, and 35 mixed schools, the total number of male and female scholars being 13,458; the total for the previous year being 13,853. The total average attendance was '11,396. In the Auckland province there are, a total of 90 private schools, with 3375 pupils ; in Wellington province, 39 schools, with 2037 pupils; in Canterbury, 64 schools, with 30)5 pupils ; and in Otago, 38 schools, with 19 52 pupils. These figures include the Catholic echools, but the return also shows these sohodla separately. There are a total of 95 Catholic schools, with 9024 soholars. In the pr9viops year there was a total of 9346 scholars. In Auokland provinoo there are 26 echools, with 1673 soholars; in Wellington province, 11 schools, with 1300 scholars; Canterbury, 16 soholars, with 1981 soholars; and Otago, 16 Bohoole, with 1616 soholars. i SETTLING TRADE DISPUTES. Mr Downie Stewart has made some important alterations in his Labour Arbitration Bill. It originally provided for the reference of all trad as and labour disputes to a board of arbitration, and make such reference compulsory. In Its' present form it makes the reference optional. The board of reference is to be termed a " board of conciliation" (not of "arbitration"), and ll3 to be composed of five members— two nominated by the labour counoil, two by employers in' the case under dispute, while the fifth ■is to be umpire, and is appointed by the others or the local resident magistrate in tho case of their disagreement. When once both parties ha|e agreed to a reference to this board they will not be at liberty to withdraw from the reference, and will be compelled to abide by the decision, which will remain in force for 12 months. .

SIR ROBERT STOUT.

It is understood that Sir Robert Stout's objeot in delaying his reply to the Opposition round robin (praying him to , re-enter politics and resume the leadership of the party) is that he wishes to consult his partner in Dunedio. before binding himself to such a serious step. The general opiaion, however, is that he will ultimately consent. He is said to have declared positively that nothing will induce him to stand for a Dunedin constituency, but it is thought he may be persuaded to reconsider this determination. I hear that another seat will be offered to him with almost a certainty of his return if he persists in refusing to stand for Dunedin.

A CALL OF THE COUNCIL.

When the " call " of the Legislative Council took place to-day there were only seven absentees, 32 councillors responding to the call. Of the seven the majority were satisfactorily accounted for. Mr Bonar was stated to be at Lyttelton, on his way up to Wellington; Mr Scotland is also on his way hither, having been delayed by illness; Captain Fraser and Mr Oliver are in England ; and Major Wahawaha is ill.

A PETITION.

The Public Petitions Committee reported today on the petition of Andrew Thompson, of Hawksbury, Otago, who prayed for compensation on account of having been induced to purchase land in the township of Hawksbury on the faith of a promise by the Government to erect a jetty in Waikouaiti Bay, whioh promise has not been fulfilled. The committee state in their opinion the petitioner has "No claim against the colony."

THE OTAGO SCHOOL COMMISSIONERS

Again the matter of the Ofcago School Commissioners' tenants has been btought to the front. Mr Valentine has presented the petition of John Keown and 14 others, setting forth their grievances. It appears that- in 1883 the lands in the Longridge, Wendon, and Wendoneide districts were offered for sale. Keen demand was the order of day; and as many could not get holdings on the deferred pajment er perpetual lease system, they had to take it upon what is termed the system on terms— so much cash, and the balance on mortgage. The petitioners claim that in consequence of the fall in the value of produce and the action of the commissioners in reducing the values of the adjoining sections they are unable to meet^ their engagements, and are entitled to equal consideration to the deferred payment and perpetual lease tenants. The petition will be referred to the waste lands boards,