97

The Attorney-General moved—

That this Council adopt the report of the sub-committee on the subject of compensation to settlers at Wangaui; and the Hunt, and seconding that the sums claimed by the individuals asking for compensation be paid to them whenever this Local Government may have funds for that purpose.

Question put and carried, being—

Ayes.

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary.
The Hon. the Attorney-General.
Senior Military Officer.
J. D. Greenwood.
H. Seymour.

Noes.

The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer.
F. J. Lundon.
W. M. Bannatyne.
G. Hunter.
W. G. Moore.

His Excellency declared in favor of the Ayes.

On the motion of Colonel M'Cleverty, seconded by the Attorney-General, Council adjourned at half-past 6 o'clock p.m., to Friday next, the 22nd day of June, at 3 o'clock.

Present:

His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and all the Members, excepting the Hon. F. Whitaker and W. O. Cautley.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment. The minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed.

On the motion of the Colonial Treasurer, seconded by Colonel M'Cleverty, the Appropriation Bill read a third time and passed.

The Attorney-General brought up the report of the committee on Constabulary Force Bill.

Report adopted; and on the motion of the Attorney-General, seconded by Colonel M'Cleverty, this Bill read a third time and passed.

On the motion of Dr. Monro, seconded by the Attorney-General, Dog Nuisance Bill read a third time.

The Attorney-General moved that this Bill do pass.

Amendment seconded.

Debate ensued.

Amendment put and negatived.

On the motion of Mr. Ludlam, Council in Committee on Country Road Bill, and re-appointing clauses considered and amended, and the report being brought up and adopted, when on the motion of the Attorney-General Bill re-committed.

Third preamble, and clauses re-considered, amended, and agreed to.

On the motion of Mr. Ludlam, Council resumed, and report of the Committee on this Bill brought up and adopted.

Dr. Monro gave notice that on Monday next he should move the second reading of the Dog Nuisance Bill...

The Colonial Secretary gave notice that at the next meeting of Council, he should present the report of the Committee on Ordinances.

Mr. Ludlam gave notice that on Monday next he should move the third reading of Country Road Bill...

The Colonial Secretary laid on the table the following estimate of the subject of education, which, on the motion of the Attorney-General, seconded by Dr. Monro, that it be read—was read accordingly...

In exercise of the power given by the Provincial Councils' Ordinance, I desire to enter on its minutes the following reasons for my opinion that an ordinance on the subject of education should be enacted this Session. In accordance with the recommendations of a special committee appointed to report thereon:

1. I consider the system established by the present Education Ordinance objectionable, because it does not and cannot secure the greatest practicable diffusion of education. It will no less tend than its very imperfectly education ought to be universal. Where it is in the power of society to bestow it, every human child has a right to the means of developing its moral and intellectual nature, as well as its physical. It is a duty every man owes to his children, the State owes to the community; and as it is the duty of the State in the second, so it ought, of providing the means of education for them, wherever it is possible. No man has a right to bring into a community beings whose existence is dependence or nuisance, if he cannot provide for their support, and under an obligation to bring up his children in such a way that they will make good and virtuous citizens, and add to the strength and stability of the social fabric; that is, to educate them properly.

If I want the means of any kind, makes the performance of this duty by the individual himself impracticable, then it is a duty society owes to the child and to itself, to make a provision for his education, over and above that which either must be necessarily, or may be more conveniently, undertaken by individuals whose whole lives and uninterrupted energies may be dedicated to these performances.

But if the individual utterly neglect this duty, from want of inclination, not power to perform it, then the State, or governing body, has not only the right, but is under an obligation to enforce the performance and punish the neglect of it.