I.—ll.

MINUTES OF PEOCEEDINGS.

Legislative Council. Thursday, 26th July, 1883. The Committee met this day at 10.30 a.m. Present: Hon. Colonel Brett, Hon. Mr. P. A. Buckley, Hon. Mr. Dignan, Hon. Dr. Grace, Hon. Mr. Hart, Hon. Mr. Lahmann, Hon. Mr. Menzies. Order of reference read. On the motion of the Hon. Mr. Dignan, the Hon. Colonel Brett was appointed Chairman. The Hon. the Chairman was requested to communicate with the Chairman of the Committee appointed by the House of Eepresentatives, and to suggest that this Committee proposed to meet the Committee of the House, if convenient, on Tuesday, the 31st July, at 11 o'clock, in the Joint Committee room. The Committee then adjourned.

Tuesday, 31st July, 1883. The Committee met this day at 10.50 a.m. Present: Hon. Colonel Brett (Chairman), Hon. Mr. Dignan, Hon. Dr. Grace, Hon. Mr. Lahmann. The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed. The Hon. the Chairman laid before the Committee a statement of the number of petitions presented praying for an alteration in the Education Act, with the number of signatures attached thereto. The Hon. the Chairman intimated that the Committee appointed by the House of Eepresentatives proposed to meet this Committee, and to deliberate as a Joint Committee, at 11 o'clock. The Committee then adjourned.

House of Representatives. Fbiday, 20th July, 1883. The Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. J. Buchanan, Mr. Munro, Mr. Pyke? Mr. Turnbull. The orders of reference of the 18th and 19th July were read. On the motion of Mr. Munro, Resolved, That Mr. Pyke do take the chair. Resolved, That the Chairman be instructed to apply to the Petitions Classification Committee to forward all petitions relating to education to this Committee. Resolved, That the Chairman be instructed to apply to the Public Petitions Committee for any petitions relating to education that may have been referred to that Committee. Rtsolved, That an abstract be made of petitions relating to education presented to the House, showing the number of such petitions and the number of signatures thereto, by whom presented and from what districts, with an abstract of the prayer of such petitions. Resolved, That the Committee do now adjourn until such day as the Chairman may appoint.

Tuesday, 31st July, 1883. The Committee met at 10.55 a.m., pursuant to notice. Present: Mr. Pyke (Chairman), Mr. De Lautour, Mr. Feldwick, Mr. Munro. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The petitions called for at the last meeting, and an abstract of them, were laid upon the table. On the motion of Mr. Munro, Resolved, That this'Committee do now confer with the Committee appointed by the Legislative Council. The Committee then adjourned to meet the Committee appointed by the Legislative Council, to deliberate as a Joint Committee, at 11 o'clock.

Joint Committee. Tuesday, 31st July, 1883. Present: Legislative Council—Hon. Mr. Acland, Hon. Colonel Bret, Hon. Mr. Dignan, Hon. Dr. Grace, Hon. Mr. Lahmann. House of Eepresentatives—Mr. Barron, Hon. Mr. Dick, Mr. De Lautour, Mr. Feldwick, Mr, Munro, Mr. Pyke, Mr. Turnbull, Mr. J. G. Wilson. _ On the motion of Mr. Pyke, Resolved, that the Hon. Colonel Brett take the chair. The orders of reference from the House of Eepresentatives of the 18th and 19th July, and the orders of reference from the Legislative Council of the 24th and 26th July, were read. Mr. Pyke laid before the Joint Committee the petitions relating to education that had been presented to the House of Eepresentatives; and read an abstract of the same, stating the number of such petitions and the number of signatures attached thereto, with the prayer thereof. The Hon. the ChairmaSi laid before the Committee a statement of the number of petitions presented to the- Legislative Council, praying for an alteration in the Education Act, with the number of signatures attached thereto. Moved by Mr. Pyke, That Bishop Eedwood and Bishop Hadfield be invited to give evidence before the Joint Committee, which was agreed to.

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