PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 6313, 10 August 1888, Page 3

PARLIAMENTARY NOTES.

[raOM OXTB OWN OORESBPONDENTi] WELLINGTON, August 9. STRICT AVEBAGE. In consequence of the alleged closing of pnblio schools npon any slight pretext, in order to enable them to keep up their average and Bare the Board's finance and head teachers' salaries, Mr Goldie is making enquiries from the Minister for Education as to whether he is aware that this custom baa grown up Bince the rule of payments upon "strict average" waa determined upon, and urges the Minister to make immediate enquiries as to the extent of the evil, and, if necessary, take such steps as will put an end to the practice. VAIL BBRVICBB. Ab a counter-blast to the return recently presented to the order of the Auckland members, which showed that the saving to the Colony from a money point of view by the abolition of the San Francisco service would be small, Mr Ward moved for a return giving the amount of cargo brought to and from New Zealand by all services, and this was presented to-day. Ib shows very clearly in favour of the direct services. Whereas the cargo inwards daring 1887 carried by the j New Zealand Shipping Company was 16,687 ; tonß, and by Shaw, Savill and Albion Com-' I pany's steamers, 23,101 tons, only 1335 tonß were brought by the San Francis ro • Bteamers. In the outward service the ; difference is even more marked, the figures being : — New Zealand Shipping Company, 16,854 tons ; Shaw, Savill and Albion Company, 21,400 tons ; San Francisco service, 569 tons. MISSING REVENUE. Dr Newman has discovered a flaw in the , present system of finance which affects very considerably the receipts to the « public cheEt. Though it is nob generally known, under former Governments, it was the practice in Financial Statements for Premiers to disclose the amounts of revenue which had been anticipated, bofc not received, and the country members wore able to s?e where the money was Koing ; but of Lite the Colonial Treasurer has dropped this system, and large sums are lenkiug away which have to be made Up. For instance, about £oO,0(jO which nhould havo come as rents from the Rntorna lease?, never camo to hand, and werfl never accounted for, and there are large sums outstanding for deferred paymente, rents and other purposes, and there is ik) prosrrtot of tbia being shown to the c -untry. In consequence Dc Newman is ..ireu'inir the attention of the Pi'einier to t->«* tn*tt?r, and asking him to have dis1r liUmjil without delay a paper showing the derails of revenue now in arrears. If presented, it will prove interesting reading. SECOND CLABB LANDS. 0;: Tuesday Dezt Mr Steward will v tfim* from Hie Miuister for Lands ttU-tliGr he ia t iking any step3— (l) For defining " second class " lands in accor-

, dance with the terms of Section 10 of i "The Laud Act Amendment Act, 1887"? (2) Whether he will without delay open up for application areas oi such land in j various parts of the Provincial district of i Canterbury ?