PARLIAMENTARY.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XXXVI, Issue 7389, 7 June 1887, Page 2

PARLIAMENTARY.

POLITICAL GOSSIP IN WELLINGTON. [Tr-LiORAPnED BY OUR CORRESPONDENT. J NATIVE LEASES ON THE WEST COAST. Monday, June 6. — The three Taranaki members had a long interview to-day with the Colonial Treasurer on the subjects of the West Coast Settlement and Native Reserves Leases, and generally of native lands. Eventually clauses of a bill were drawn up by Mr. Samuel, and agreed to by tho other two members, and were retained by the Treasurer for reference to the ( 'nliinat 1 ..

MOKAU DIFFICULTY.

All efforts to remove the Mokau difficulties have failed, as scarcely half a dozen members will consent to alter the law as desired. The three Taranaki members have been indefatigable, but the Native Land Court procedure has been too firmly settled to be readily altered, and Parlia- ; ment will not tolerate exceptional legislation for any particular locality. The House even would refuse to grant permission to bring the subject forward at all. i RENT OF RESERVES. I With respect to the West Coast leases, all that can be hoped for is a provision giving power i to the Publio Trustee to aocept surrender and remit the interest or arrears, and extend time for payment of rent. As' to' J native' reserves in Taranaki, there is no chance of legislation on tb% matter 'this session. MR. DARNELL'S PETITION. Mr. Darnell's petition was referred to the Government, being bronght under their notice by the three members. REPRESENTATION BILL. r The Commissioners under the Representation Bill are at work, and are making great progress.COST, OF, EDUCATION. ,The following is~a fall return presented to' the Legislative Council on the Hon. Mr. Holmes' motion, showing the net coßt of education to the colony for the year ending December 31st last to be £566,611. :1 • UNIVERSITIES. ' University of New Zealand : Expenditure, £2990 8s 8d; revenues, £793 10s 9d; net, £2196 17s lid. Auckland University College: £4315 17s 8d; revenue, nil, £4315 17s 81. ' Canterbury College : £7316 7s ; revenue, £1379 Us 4d; net cost, £5936 16s Bd-. Otago University: £9645 8s 7d; revenue, £1306 11s 3d-;- net .cost, £8338 17s 4d. - '•

'secondary' schools'." ■

Thames High-School, £1538 sd; revenue £357 10s 6d; net -cpst,' £l2oo 9s lid. Other secondary schools, £59,988' 7s Id; revenue, £25 ,400; net cost, £34,588 8a Id. ■' SCHOOLS FOR PRIMARY EDUCATION. Native Schools, £20,890 osßd ; Chatham Island School, £244 3s ; Industrial Schools, £16,466 17s 9i ; School for deaf mutes, £3,128 16s lOd ; Education Boards. £409,575 0s 6d : Total net cost, £509,038 3s 3J.

EMPTY BENCHES.

The House has been filled for days past while' party wrangling was proceeding, but immediately the deadlock wab terminated there was an exodus of members. Within the next hour more business was done, in the direction of putting' through bills of an important nature than had been done during tho whole previous part of the session. The Government measures were read a second time, committed & third- time, and passed, and the_ largest attendance in .the House at any time was thirty members, and they appeared wholly indifferent.