FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12.

Otago Witness, Issue 2744, 17 October 1906, Page 31

FRIDAY, OCTOBER 12.

Tn the Legislative Council on Friday tho Government Advances to Settlers and the Masterton Trust Lands Empowering Bills were passed. The amendments made by tho House iv the Training Ships Bill were Agreed to. The Council met at 2.30. BILLS DEALT WITH. The Government Advances ™o Settlei-3 fljill was read a- third time, and passed. The amendment made by the House in the Training Ships Bill was agreed to.

The House of Representatives, almost as j soon as it met- on Friday, -went into Committee of Supply to consider the remainder of the Estimates. Tho evening sitting •was unusually prolonged, but the Estimates were nob put through, some eight small glasses remaining to be dealt with. -^ ESTIMATES. The House went unto Committee of Supply for consideration of the Estimates. CLASS XXI II EDUCATION". A long discussion ensued on ilic fir-t Item. In Teply to the various statements jnade during the discussion, Tho Hon. G. FOWLDS said lie had listened with a good deal of interest to the remarks made. He hoped to improve matters in tho course of time. The opposite views expressed showed the impossibility of giving unanimous satisfaction. *The comments about tho syllabus he thought hardly justifiable at present. JftretlTj the new svji»bu* had onij; been '

in operation for two and a -half years. It was unreasonable to expect that teachers and inspectors all over the country would at once fall into lino in the ope.-tion of tho new syllabus. It \va>3 quite clear from the remarks of teachers in some parts of the colony, at any rate, that the syllabus had given satisfactory results both to teachers and scholars. Failure in this respect had been due to the inability of someone to gracp the true meaning and intent of the syllabus. He was satisfied that with the advent of new teachers, trained in their colleges, a good many of the difficulties experienced with teachers trained in other methods would disappear, also that the appointment of younger men to the p-ositions of inspectors would enable the Gpirit of the syllabus to be appreciated, > and then tho colony would get the very l>est results. The regulations, he thought, had been in the past too responsive to pressure under unusual circumstances, and whatever troubles had amen wero duo to the fact that they had "been amended so frequently on account of special cases. Coming into office, as he had done, on the opening of Parliament, he had not proposed to submit the syllabus to the Education Committee this year. - He did not think it would have been right to throw tho syllabus on the floor of the Education Committee without submitting any policy of his own. He had, therefore, held it over. Ho intended, however, at the earliest opportunity, to go through the syllabus with the officer of the department early in the New Year. The two yearly assemblies of inspectors would be held, and lie hoped to submit eomo amendments for criticism by these who had the administration and interpretation of the syllabus. On tho next meeting of Parliament the whole of the results of the criticism of the inspectors would be put bofore the Education Committee, and he hoped they would bo able to get tho syllabus into the very best shape. As to centralisation, a good deal of this had teen forced on the department. The whole tendency of recent leg;elation had been in that direction, notably in respect to the administration of the colonial scale of salaries, teachers' superannuation, and increase in the manual and technical' work, whilst even now members wero urging tho adoption of a uniform scale of books, leading to more centralisation. As to tha back blocks, he need only say that ho was in hearty sympathy with what; had been urged on behalf of the people in tho outlying districts. It was very largely a matter of coc-t, but he was perfectly satisfied that no country in the world was prepared to pay such a high rate foi- a small nuinlwr of children in the I back blocks as New Zealand.

Tho vote £8069, head office, pa«scd un altered.

Vote £533.611 (public schools) —After further discussion the Hon. G. JfOWLDS further explained that in >omo districts the bad roads interfered with tho con\eyancc of children to the echcols. There would bo a \oU> on tho Public Works Estimates for tho Auckland Training College. The basis of school classification was not the teacher's ealaiy but tho attendance, and that the difficulty of transferring teachers is caused by variations of the attendance, especially in limited areas under divided control. They must, in fixing the salaries of certificated teachers, depend on varieties of circumstances. It was the case in all professions in which the best qualified men frequently did not get the best salaries. — Mr MASSEY paid a high compliment to tho Education Committee of laet year and its chairman (Mr Baume) for the excellent work done with the two new acts of the session. He would like to see better provision made for rural education after the manner of the Auckland Board. — The Hon. G»FOWLDS said that special grants were offered to all tfie Boards of Education for this purpose.— The vote passed unaltered. Secondary Education (£45,075) and Technical Education (£33,225) passed unaltered. Public School Cadete (£6oßs).— Mr FIELD asked if the department would co.-oocrate with the Defence Department re the camp at the Christchurch Exhibition.— The- question was not answered. Name Schools (£21,755).— 1n reply to Mr Ngata, whb "had spoken highly of the abilities and devotions of the men and the difficulties of the position, and Mr Henries, who had sustained Mr Ngata, the. Hbn. 6. FOWLDS said that the salaries would be raised, and, further, promised to do his best in the matter of facilities for rural aju] tcolvnical education.— Mr. NGAXiX xd-

vised the Minister to visit the Native schools during the recess and see. inter alia, if the Natives would not set apart portion of their reserves for assisting technical and agricultural education.- — The Hon. O. FOWLDS *=aid he would do so gladly. — Mr NGATA promised to tc hi 3 guide.— The -vote passed unaltered. Industrial Schools (£25,174), Schools for Deaf Mutes (£4154), School for the Blind (£731), miscellaneous services (£12,935), school buildings (£86,650), bringing, with the rest, the aggregate of the Education Vote to £783,20+, passed unalt-creJ. Class 24, Public Health (£25,372), passed •without attention. Class 25, Mental Hospitals and Charitable Aid (£97.505).— Mr WILFOKD appealed for the betterment of the condition of the female warders. They were poorly paid, worked long hours, were coarsely fed, and subj-cct to tremendous and prolonged strain. He sustained his case by quoting from the last report of the inspector, contrasting the eases of these attendants and workers in factories, who are protected by the factory legislation.— Mr GRAY advocated separation of mild cases, and the Minister said provision was being mado on the Public Works Estimates.— Mr MASSEY advocated an addition at Waitati for the separation of epileptic cases.— The MINISTER *aid that the whole question of the classification oi mental eases was under Cabinet consideration. With regard to the fevnalo attendants, he said he had not had an opportunity to go into the matter fully. So far as he had gone he knew the pay had been increosed and the hours had been shortened. —(Cries of ''Too long yet.") He promised to inquire carefully into the matter. He admitted with regret the coming sever ance of Mrs Neil's connection with the department.— The Mental Hospitals Vote (£BM7O) passed unaltered. „■„.-»• Vote, Charitable (£12,996).— Mr GRAY criticised the inspectorship adversely, and suggested a change. A long discussion ensued in protest against the strictures on tho nurses in the Inspector-generals icpovt. —Mr GR4Y mo\ed a reduction of the charitable aid estimate (£12.996) by £1 to «mi>hasUe dissatisfaction with the Inspect mgeneral's management generally.— ihe motion was lost by 16 to 21. Vote Defectives (£1339: finishing mcntai hospitals and charitable aicO.— ln reolv to Mr Laurcnson, the PREMIER promised "that next year, and after, all the_ names of employees would be given.— Mr who had not spoken before, complimented the Minister-in-charge on the grip of the Estimate? he had shown, and the courtesy with which he had conducted the business. —The iotc passed. The committee reported to tho House, and the House adjourned at 1.12. Kieht smal 1 classes of the Estimates remain to lie passed. THE EDUCATION BILL. Tho Education Act Amendment Bill, introdiucd by Go\ernor's Message last night, does not make a-ny very important alteration in the existing law. The new pio\i«ions are mainly technical. Provision is included in the bill for the extension of the scholarship period by onr year, or until the scholarship holder is 17 years of age. Scholarship holders living four mile.s from town are entitled to a travelling allowance not exceeding a .sum of £10 in any one rear. OPSONIC TREATMENT. The Minister of Public Health was j«.ked by Mr Wilford whether ho would provide for tho opsonic^ treatment of consumptive in all sanatoria. The treatment, Mr Wilford stated, depended upon making certain tests upon tho blood, by which tests the resistance of a patient against tuberculosis and certain other diseases could be measured, and then, if the resistance was found to be subnormal, supplying the necessary stimulus to increase the resistance. In his reply the Minister said the chief health officer had been in communication with eeveral scientists in. London in reference to this matter. There was no -loubt us to the very great value of Professor Wi.ght's discovery. As soon as was possible the procedure described by the discoverer would bo tried at the Government iana'orium at , Cambridge. COST OF WORKMEN'S HOMES. A return supplied at the request of Mr Fisher relating to the number of workmen* homes already erected shows that at Petono the capital of six houses is £540 each and the rental value £2 5s per month. There arc also fiye at £535 (rental £2 4f

7(1), three at £530 (rental £2 4<j 2d), seven at £520 (rental £2 3a 4d), four afc £500 (rent-il £2 Is 8d). Otahuhu : Or,e at £530 (monthly rental £2 5s lOd), thieo at £540 (rental £2 ss). Ellerslie : Two at £535 (rental £2 4s 7d), three at £530 (rental £2 4s 2d), one at £525 (rental £2 3s 9d), four at £520 (rental. £2 3s 4d), three at £515 (rental £2 2s lid), one at £510 (rental £2 2s 6d), one at £500 (rental £2 Is 8d), and one at £485 (rental £2 Os sd). j MR M'NAB'S AUCKLAND TOUR. ' The peop'c of the Auckland district maylook for a full share of the platform campaign ?.hich the Government has decided to carry out during the recess in regard to the deferred Laid Bill. The Minister of Lands, is previously stated, intends to ppend about two months in the Auckland province early in the year, and he informs me that every opi¥>rtunity vilj te taken of fully explaining tho Government's land ! proposal 'Irring the- tour. Mr M'Nab wll ' be accompanied by the Hon. G. Fowlds, who, as Minister of Education, will h-ke opportunity of acquainting himself with the conditions of education in the backblocks of the northern province. The party will also include Messrs T. Mackenzie and G. : Laurenson, M.H R.s, Mr Kensington, Under Secretary of Lands, and Mr J. Mackenzie, Commissioner of Crown Lands. The party will not be a united one so far as the land question is concerned, as in addition to Mr T. Mackenzie (who is a brother I of tli3 Commi=sioner of Crown Lands at Auckland) a number of the Auckland mem- " bers who arc in opposition to the Government on this question will probably be included in the entourage. About three weeks will be spent in the North of Auckland, and about the same period in the ' Waikato, King Country, and other southern ' portions of the province. This will leave about a fortnight to be scent in the city and suburbs. Mr M'Nab will address pnblie mcetines in the city and at Ponsonby, ' and probably at some of the other subur'n3 L as well as at the principal centres in the ■ country districts. MrlM'Nab may also pay ' a flying \ isit to Auckland next month and ' attend th? A. and P. show, Lut it is yet ' uncertain whether other arrangements will ' enable him to do this. [ JOTTINGS. ► On the sth iiiat. Mr Arnold abked the I Government whether it was aware that E certain trading companies wore receiving money on deposit from the public and mll ' \ citing the same without providing any s I specific security or fund assuring the safety i 'of such deposits to depositors, and if bo . wou'd the Government introduce legislation requiring such -companies to set aside a. tangible security fund to meet all liabilities.? — In tho answers to questions circulated last night tho Premier replied that the attention of the Government had been directed to the matter, and the quotiou of introducing legislation in respect to it was under consideration. Tho mine accident at Alexandra, that ' ■ nearly. resulted in the lew of many valuable " lives * has caused Mr T. Mackenzie to move ' to provide greater safety to tho^c emp"oyed \ underground, and ht> tuccecded in carry-ing-an important amendment in the Mines * ' Bill requiring that two escapes bo pro1 vided in all coal mines. Hitherto the law 0 only lequired such precision to bo made c in mines employing over 10 miners. SATURDAY, OCTOBER 13. * THE HOSPITAL DEPARTMENT. 't The administration of tho Hospital Department by the Inspector-general (Dr „ Ai'Gregor) came in for some severe criticism from various members during tho dis- , cussion of the Hospital Estimates late on o Friday night. Amongst tho speakers was „| Mr "Hogg, who, in referring to Dr .. ' M'Gregor's remarks concerning the jewel'n lery worn by certain nurses, taid it was a well-known f a< t that for years the inspecL tor's reports had been of a very erratic B ! character, and he {Mr Hogg) hoped some 1 time in the future to see them embalmed c ' amongst the curiosities of English lilera- ". '' ture. Instead of inspecting the hospi- * tab, the officer? had been inspecting the t nurses. He thought some improvement would be made if the Inspector-general

received a mjld rebuke. Probably he would I uofc remain very long in the service of the I colony, but he (Mr Hogg) thought he might very well leave the pads and brooches alone. Ho should pay a little more attention to his legitimate duties. The class of statements complained of by members were all very j for £ jpatrimQnial agency, buc in the

caso of an inspector of hospitals it was, h« said, playing the game pretty low down. Mr Gray moved to have the vote reduced by £1 as an indication of dissatisfaction at the administration of the Inspector-general. This was defeated by 21 votes to 15. Mr Massey and the other members of the Opposition in the House at the time (1 *.m.} voted with the Government, and thus saved it from defeat. • HARDSHIPS OF SiCHOOL TEACHERS. I Several stories of wonderful school buildings were told by Auckland and other members on Friday night. Mr Hogg, however, took the cake with a description of the experiences of a teacher in tra> Mangatiki district. While the teacher was single ho boarded with various settlers, but he took unto himself a wife, though a residence was . not to be had. The result wes that the I honeymoon was spent in tho porch of tho school, and when the teacher is instructing I his pupils his. courageous wife dees the cooking outside.