THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI-WEEKLY. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1882.

Inangahua Times, Volume VII, Issue 1107, 30 June 1882, Page 2

THE Inangahua Times. PUBLISHED TRI- WEEKLY. FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 1882.

It has been long admitted that a great want haa existed on the West Coast of this island for opportunities of obtaining a higher class of education than the Public Schools, excellently conducted, as they undoubtly are, could afford. The Coast is rising in importance every day almost. The new finds in the neighborhood of Hokitika, the splendid coal measures at Greymouth and Westport, and the enormous resources of this district, only now being about to be developed, justify ten times over the ofaction our member in introducing into the House a bill for the establishment of a Westland High School. It may be said that there is no necessity for such an institution, as there are high class educational establishments at Christchurch and Nelson j and that they are near enough to serve all purposes. From this we entirely dissent The population of the Coast is of one the most flourishing in New Zealand, and [ its era ot prosperity seems just now to have set in. The cost of travelling alone between the Coast and either of the above places would be a serious item in the cost of education. The following is an abstract of the provisions of the bill now before the House. It proposes a Board of Governors to ha\e authority, to consist of six persons, two to be appointed by the Government and four by the County Councils of Westland, Grey, Buller, and Inangahua respectively^ their election to take place within three months of the passing of the Act. Provision is made for the retirement of one of the members appointed by the Government and another of the elected ones annually, and for others to fill their places. The usual disqualification clause, and for filling vacancies, is made, and the Annual meeting is appointed for February. By the 1 2th clause power is given to the Board to establish one or more schools in any of the towns or suburbs of the West Coast, but the site of the first school must be fixed by the Governor. Their full control and management is vested in the Board. The succeeding clauses refer to minutes of proceedings, accounts, reserves, investment of moneys and expenditure in the erection of school biddings, also for the inspection of the schools by an inspector appointed by the Minister of Education.

The Licensing Act Amendment Bill introduced by Mr Sutton, one of the Hawkes' Bay district members, seems to have a very good chance of passing, at least the principles contained are so fair that the bill has passed its second reading, and has now to be submitted to the crucial ordeal of Committee. Having so far been favorably received, it is hardly likely that any very material alterations will be made in its passage. It provides that it shall come into operation on the first of October. It repeals section 6 having reference to the establishment of the present Licensing districts, and in lieu thereof provides that the existing boroughs, counties, and road districts, shall be the future licensing districts, the local authorities within their respective boundaries forming the various licensing committees. Railway station licenses, fees not to exceed £25. Accommodation and wholesale licenses may be granted at any time by the committee at their discretion, and special conditional licenses may be granted in places where, through a sudden influx of population, greater accommodation for travellers is required, the fee being the same as for a publican's license. The word " accommodation " in sections 45, 47, and in the second schedule of the present Act is supposed to be repealed, as also the entire sections 46, 52, and 53 relative to taking a poll of the ratepayers as to new licenses, miscarriage of election,

and other nonsense about taking polls. Before a new license is granted, however, it is made compulsory on the applicant to take a poll of the inhabitants at his own expense, the result is only to affect one year. The affirmative ofsuch poll is not to necessitate the issue of the license, that being left entirely to discretion of the Licensing Committee. The amendments do not go half far enough, still they will if carried, somewhat improve the clumsy, unweildly, measure as it it now stands. It is to be hoped, however, before the session closes, that, in addition to these, other more radical and needed improvements will be made, so that the tyranny of the present Act may be put an effectual stop to.