POLITICAL NOTES.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 5068, 29 September 1894, Page 6

POLITICAL NOTES.

J [fBOH OUB SPECIAL COBREBPON_>ENT.'I I WELLINGTON, Sept. 28". j EDUCATIONAL. j Papers relating to Canterbury College . and its allied institutions were laid on the ■ table of the House by Mr Beeves to-day. j Mr Meredith asserts that there is urgent need for five new schools being erected ;to meet the requirements of Cheviot ; settlers, viz., at M'Kenzie, Waiau, Frog- : hall, Domett and Port Bobinson, and he : wishes the Minister to provide funds to the \ North Canterbury Board for this purpose. TEiVEIiLINO EXPENSES. In asking a question this afternoon regarding the alleged practice of members of the Houae, who are also members of Education Boarde, charging travelling expenses while using their free railway passes, Mr Collins said nothing but a stern sense of duty had induced him to institute Buch a disagreeable inquiry. If it were true that certain members . of the House were in the habit of doing what waß alleged, then it was a moat reprehensible and improper practice. A member: "To whom do you allude?" Mr Collins :"I allude to members who are guilty of this practice." A member: "Are they Liberals?" Mr Collins: "Whether they are or not, I should like to be assured by the Minister that the practice will be put a. stop to.". The Minister of Education, in replying, said he might ask, Can saoh things be? The Government had no reason to suppose that the statements were true.; If Mr Collins would place him in possession of information regarding the matter, he would call the attention of the Boards concerned to the subject. He thought, however, that as the School Committees elected the members of Education Boards, they should take action in a mattei of this kind. Mr Meredith said during ihe few days that this question had been ou the Order Paper the Minister might have communicated with the Boards and ascertained whether or uot thero was foundation for the allegations. Mr Beeves said as he had no reason to believe that the rumours were true he did not feel called upon to make any inquiry. Mr Collias has resolved to follow the matter up, and has given notice to move for a return giving information as to the travelling expenses of members of Education Boards. BAILWAT MASTEBB. At to-day's sittintr of the Eailway Committee, Foreman M'Garva of Dunedin, was under examination regarding the condition of railway bridges on tbe Hur.unui-Bluff seotion. Hia evidence dealt largely with the question of bridge construction and inspection, strength of material, &c. THE BAILWAT SIBVxtNTS. In the House this afternoon, Mr J. W. Kelly asked the Premier, without notice, whether he had seen the Hansard report of Sir B. Stoufs charges againat the Christchurch railway servants' executive, and whether he had resolved to grant a Commission of inquiry? Sir B. Stout: "I hope that the matter will be referred to a committee at once, so that the subject may be fully investigated before the close of the session." The Premier in reply said he had been so busily engaged that he had not found time to look into the report. He would go into the natter to-morrow, and let the Honae know his decision on Tuesday. EQUITABLE INSUBANOE ASSOCIATION. At a meeting, of the Public Petitions Committee to-day, the petition complaining of mismanagement asd irregularities on the part of the directors of this society was again under consideration. Evidence bearing ou the complaint was givon by Mr Bevan. Mr J. B. Call an, the late chairman of directors, has arrived to watch over the interests of the Association. The liquidator states, in a report to be laid before the committee, that .£9OO will pay off all outstanding liabilities, and that there will be no necessity i for further calls. This will be some consolation to the shareholders, among whom are the following members of the Legislature : — Mr Guinnesß with 2200 shareß, the Hon J. Kerr and Mr Graham 500 each, and Mr G. W. Bussell 90. 1 understand that these gentlemen are to be examined in . support of the allegations contained in the petition. A WASTED AFTEBNOON. The greater part of this afternoon was consumed in a profitless debate arising out of a motion by Mr E. M. Smith to adjourn the House. The member for New Plymouth took occasion' once more to urge the House .to assist in sending him to England to float a company for the manufacture of iron from Taranaki ironsand and to develop the coalfields of that district. Mr T. Mackenzie quoted from a former speech by the member for New Plymouth, in which that gentleman said the coalfields of Taranaki oovered 447,000 square miles, and the coal deposits averaged 30,000 tons to the acre. A simple arithmetical calculation brought out a total coal supply of eight trillions fiv«\ hundred and eighty billions of tons, and surely members would admit that this waa a slight exaggeration. Mr Smith : " Oh, I can explain all that." The debate wandered off into other subjects till the dinner adjournment, and Mr Smith had no opportunity of explaining his little mistake. NEW BILLB. Two more Government Bills are to be introduced next week, the Mining Act Amendment Bill by Mr Cadman and the Native Land Validation of Titles Aot Amendment Bill by the Premier.