ABSTRACT OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT BILLS.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume XIV, Issue 67, 17 November 1855, Page 3

ABSTRACT OF THE AUSTRALIAN GOVERNMENT BILLS.

[From tho Some News, July 19.] These bills being now printed, as amended in the Commons, we hasten to lay an abstract of their contents before our readers, preserving the language of the clauses wherever it is necessary to a clear understanding of their objects.

AN ACT TO ESTABLISH A CONSTITUTION IN AND FOR THE COLONY OF VICTORIA. The first clause, after the preamble, provides for the constitution of one Legislative Council and one Legislative Assembly, instead of the Legislative Council now subsisting. Legislative Council. Ccnstitution. — To consist of 30 members, for the purpose of returning whom, the colony shall be divided into six electoral provinces. Retirement of Members.— hi the first election of

the members afcer this act shall have come into operation, and at the expiration of two years from the date of such first election, and thenceforward at the expiration of every succeeding period of two years, one of tho members returned for each of the electoral provinces respectively shall retire from the council, and those shall so retire who shall have been for the longest time members thereof without re-election : provided that any member elected in the place of a member dying, renigning, or retiring, otherwise than by rotation, shall hold his seat only bo long as the member in whose place he has been elected wonld have been entitled to have held the same; provided further, that oi members elected for any province at the first election as aforesaid, the member who may at his election have received the least number of votes shall first bo retire, and in case of an equality of votes, or of no polling having taken place at such election, it shall be decided by lot which member shall eo' retire; provided also, that any member so retiring shall, if otherwise qualified, be capable of being re-elected. Qualification of Members.— No person shall be capable of being elected who shall not be of the full age of 30 years, a natural-born subject, and who shall not for one year previous to election have been Reised of, or entitled to, an estate of freehold in possession, within the colony, of the value of £5,000, or of the annutl value of £500, above all incumbrances. No judge of any court, or minister of any religious denomination, shall be capable of election. Persons attainted of treason, or convicted of any felony or infamous offence within any part of the Queen's dominions, are also declared incapable. Qualification of Electors.— Every man of the age of 21 years, being a natural-born subject, or a naturalized subject, or a legally-made denizen of Victoria (such naturalization or denization having been made three years previous to the date of the last registration of electors), and having resided in Victoria for any one year previous to registration, who shall have a freehold estate within the electoral province of the value of £1,000 or of the annual value of £100, above all incumbrances, or a leasehold estate situated as aforesaid, whereby a rent of £100 or upwards shall be reserved, or the annual value of £100 above all charges and outgoings, every such lease having been granted for a period of not less than five years, or who shall be resident within the electoral province, and be a graduate of any university in the British dominions, or a barrister or solicitor on the roll of the Supreme Court of Victoria, or ■ legally qualified medical practitioner, or an officiating minister, or an officer or retired officer of her Majesty's land or sea forces, except on actual service, shall, being duly registered, be entitled to vote for members of the Legislative Council; but no such person shall be entitled to vote unless he has possessed bis estate, occupation, or qualification, 12 calendar months previous to regibtration ; and no person shall be entitled to register unless he has paid up all rates and taxes, except such as have become payable during three months before registration ; and no person who shall have attained 21 years of nge after the expiration of two years from the passing of the act shall be entitled to register unless be can read and write; and no person convicted of treason, felony, or any other infamous offence, shall be entitled to register unless he shall have received a free pardon, or undergone his sentence. Election of President.— The president to be elected at the first meeting of the council, before any other business is despatched. In case of a vacancy by death, resignation, removal, or otherwise, another president to be elected forthwith. The power is reserved to the governor of disallow* ing the choice of such president, and upon signifying his disallowance the place is to become vacant. Declaration by Members. —Every member must iign a declaration, before he can vote in the council, that he holds his property for his own use and benefit, that it is of a specified value above a'l incumbrances, and that he has not cullusively or colourably obtained a title to it for the purpose of being returned a member of the council. Quorum. — No business shall be despatched unless one-third at least of the whole number of members, exclusive of th* president, be present; and if the whole rfumber be not divisible by three, then by the next integral number greater than one third. All questions to bo decided by a majority. When the votes are equal, the president to have the casting vote. Legislative Assembly. Constitution. — To consist of 60 members, for the purpose of returning whom, the colony shall be divided into 37 electoral districts. Qualification of Members.— No person shall be capable of being elected who shall not tie of the full rge of 21 years, a natural-born subject, or naturalized by law for five years, and resident in the colony two yrars previous to the election, and who shall not he legally seised of a freehold estate in the colony of the vbluo of £2,000, or the annual value of £200, above all incumbrancfs. Judges and ministers of rtligion incapable of bring elected, and person* attainted of treason, or convicted of felony, &c. Qualification of Electors.- -Every elector must be 21 year 8 of age, a natural-born subject, a n». turalized subject, or a legally-made denizen of Victoria, having resided in the colony one year previous to the date of registration ; be must possess a freehold estate within the district, of the value of £50, or the annual value of £5, above all incumbrances, or a leasehold estate of the annual value of £10, or shall be a housekeeper within the district, occupying piemises of the clear annual value of £10, or shall, in consideration of any payment to the public revenue, be entitled, under any law now or hereafter to be in force, to occupy, for the apace of 12 months or upwards, any portion of the waste lands of the Crown situate within the district, or shall, being resident within the district be in receipt of an annual salary of £100 sterling money. No person shall be entitled to be registered as an elector, unless he shall have been possessed of, or been in receipt of bis qualification for the period of six calendar months at least previous to registration. The same exceptions apply in the case of these electors at» have been already recited in reference to electors to the Legislative Council. Joint Interests. — Whtra any premises are joint!)

owned or occupied, or held upon lease by more persons than one, each of such joint owners, occupiers, or leaseholders, shall be entitled to be regiNtered as an elector, and to vote at the election of members to nerve in the council or assembly, as the case may be, provided the value of his individual share or interest in the said premises would, under the provisions of this act, entitle such owner, occupier, or leaseholder, to be registered as such elector, and to vote as aforesaid. Trustees and Mortgagees. — No person shall ha allowed to have any vote in the election of a menu ber of the council or assembly, for or hy reason of any trust estate or mortgage, unless such trustee or mortgagee be in actual possession or receipt of the rents and profits of the same estate; but the mortgager or cestuique trutt in possession shall and may vote tor the same estate, notwithstanding such mortgage or trust. Charge of Incumbrance. — No public lax, rate, of charge, shall be deemed to be any charge or incumbrance od landa within the meaning of this act. Members of Council and Assembly.— Ho membef of council shall be capable of being elected a member of the assembly, nor any member of the assembly capable of being elected a member of council. Persons becoming Incapable. — If any member of the Legislative Council or the Legislative Assembly shall accept of any office of profit under the Crown, during pleasure, his seat thall thereupon becoms vacant, but such person shall be capable of being re-fleeted.

Responsible Officers.— Of the following officers of Government for the time being, that is to say, the Colonial Secretary or Chief Secretary, Attor-ney-General, Colonial Treasurer or Treasurer, Commissioner of Public Work*. Collector of Cim-

Toms or Commissioner of Trade and Customs. Surveyor-General or Commissioner of Crown Lands and Survey, and Solicitor-General, or the persons for the time being holding those offices.

four at least ehall be members of the council or assembly.

Duration of Assembly.— Every assembly snail continue for five years from the day of the return of the writs, and no longer, subject, nevertheless, to be sooner dissolved by the governor.

Speaker. — The Speaker of the Legislative Assembly to be elected before the despatch of any other business* In the event of a vacancy, the office to be filled op as in the case of the president.

Quorum. — The Legislative Assembly shall not bo competent to the despatch of business unless there be present, exclusive of the Speaker, 20 members thereof; and all questions which shall arise in ths assembly shall be decided by the majority of members present, and when the votes shall be equal, the Speaker shall have the casting vote. The nonelection of a member or members is not to affect

the completion of the Legislative Council or tho Legislative Assembly, or to invalidate any of tba proceedings of either house, so long as there shall be a quorum of members present.

Seat how Vacated.— lf any member of the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly shall, fof one entire session thereof, without the permission of the said council or assembly, as the case may be, fail to attend in such council or assembly, or shall adopt any act whereby he may become a subject or citizen of any foreign state or power, or shall become bankrupt or an insolvent debtor, within the meaning of the laws in force within Victoria, or shall become a public defaoher, or ba attainted of treason, or be convicted of felony or any infamous crime, or become non compos mentis, his seat in the council or assembly, as the case may be, shall thereby become yacant. No person deriving any benefit from a Government contract shall be capable of being elected, or of sitting or voting as a member of the council or assembly during the time he ehall enjoy the proceeds of such contract; and upon his entering into such contract, his seat is to be declared vacant. This does not apply to contracts made by more thau 12 persons forming a company, and when the con* tract is for the benefit of such company.

Effects of Incapacity.— Any person by this act disabled from sitting in the Legislative Council or Legislative Assembly, being elected and returned as a member to serve in the said council or assembly, such election and return may be declared by the said council or assembly to be void.

Power to make Provision for Regulatiug Elections. — The legislature of Victoria at present ex* isting is empowered by this act to make such provisions as shall be necessary to regulate elections, end for the determining the validity of such elections.

Convocation, Prorogation, and Dissolution. — The Governor is empowered to fix the place and time for holding the sessions of the council and assembly, and alio to prorogue the council and assembly. He is likewise empowered to dissolve the assembly, but has no such power over tho council.

Sessions of Council and Assembly. — A session of the council and assembly shall be held at least once a-year, so that a period of twelve months shall not elapse between any two sittings of either council or assembly.

Time of First Election.— The first writs for the election of members of the council and assembly respectively shall issue at some period not later than twelre calendar months after the proclamation of this act within Victoria.

Declaration by Members.— Every member of the Legislative Assembly is, after the election of tho speaker, before taking his seat in the assembly, to make a declaration in writing similar to what has been already described. Every member is also required to take the oath of allegiance. Any member either of the council or assembly knowingly making a false declaration respecting his qualification* shall be deemed to be guilty of a misdemeanor, and shall be punished for wilful and corrupt perjury. v Standing Rules and Orders.— Tht Legislativa Council and Legislative Assembly are empowered to make standing rules and orders, to provide for the absence of the president or speaker respectively, and for all things pertaining to the manner in which the business of the two houses is to be carried on.

Privileges of Legislature.— lt shall be lawful for the legislature of Victoria, by any act or acts, tn define the privileges, immunities, and powers to be held, enjoyed, snd exercised by the council and assembly, and by the members thereof respectively, provided that they shall not exceed those now held, enjoyed, and exercised by the Commons House of Parliament or the members thereof.

Governor's Message.— -It shall be lawful for the Governor to transmit by message to the council or assembly for their con«ideration any amendment which he shall desire to be made in any bill presented to him for her Majesty* assent ; and all such amendments bball betaken into consideration in such convenient manner as the rules and order* shall have provided.

Appointment to Public Ofiees. — The appointment to public officei under the Government of Victor a. hereafter to become vacant or to be created, ihaJl ba vested in the Governor, with the advice of the exacutive council, with the exception of the appointments of the officers liable to retire from office on political ground?, which appointments shall be Tested in the Governor alone. Judges.— The commissions of tht pmtnt judges

of the Supreme Court and all future judges shall remain in full force during their good behaviour, nutwuhttanding the demitse~of her Majeßty or ot her heirs atid bucceasora, auy law, usage, or practice tv the contrary. Ihe Governor, however, is empowered to remove any such judge or judges, upon tbe addrexs of bulb Houses of the Legislature. The salaries settled upon the judges for the time are tv be paid so long as his patent or commission shall remain in force. Existing Laws.— All laws and statutes which at the time ot the passing of (bis act shall be in force within Victoria shall remain and continue in force, except in so far as the same are repealed or varied by this act, or as they may hereafter be repealed or varied by any act or acts of the Legislature of Victoria. Certain Duties may not be levied. — It shall not be lawful for the Legislature of Victoria to levy any duty on articles imported bona fide for ibe ciiuply of her Majesty's land or sea forces, nor to levy any duty, impose any prohibition or restriction, or grant any privilege upon the importation or exportation of any articles, nor to impose oi ctlfWca any dues or charges upon shipping, at variance with any treaty concluded by her Majdsty with any foreign power. The Legislature is, however, empowered lo levy duties of .Customs on the exportation from or importation into Victoria of any thing, provided that no new duty is imposed upon any article imported from any particular cuuntry or place which shall not be equally impoied on the importation of tbe like article imported from all other countries and places. The Boundaries of Colonies.— The alteration of the boundaries of the colonies of Victoria, New South Wales, Van Dieinen's Land, and South Australia, is in tbe power of her Majesty. But no •uch alteration is to take place unless the assent of the colony losing a portion of its territory be exftrested iv tome legislative provision of such colony. Consolidated Revenues. — All taxes, imposts, rates, and duties, and all territorial, casual, and other revenue* of the Crown (including royalties). ■from whatever source arising, within the colony of Victoria, or over which the present or any future Legislature has or may have power of appropriation, *ball form one consolidated revenue, to be appropriated for the public service of the colony of Victoria. All charges incidental to the collection, management, and receipt of the before- mentioned revenue*, are lo be reviewed and audited as bhall be directed by any act of che legislature. A sum not exceeding £112.750 is to be payable every year to her Maje«ty, out of the consolidated revenue, for defraying the expenses of the services in Schedule D. The accounts of the detail of such expenditure to be laid before the Legislative Houses within 30 days from the beginning of the session next after the termination of the year in which the expenditure has been made. Civil List. — The sums above mentioned bs appropriated to the civil service are to be accepted by b«r Majesty in lieu of any territorial or other, revenues arising from any gouicb within Victoria. Governor, may abolish certain Offices. — It Bhall be lawful fur the Governor to abolish any of tbe .offices named in tbe third and fourth parU of the «aid schedule^ or to apply the sums thereby appropriated to such other purposes connected with ihe administration of the Government of Victoria a* to her Majesty, her heirs and successors, shall I .stem meet. Pensions.— Not more than £4,000 shall be pay* able at the same time for pensions to the judges* uf tbe Supreme Court out of the Bums set apart for ■ such pensions in the fifth part of the schedule; provided, that all Buch pensions shall be granted io accordance with acts regulating the pensions of the United Kingdom. Not more than £525 is to payable by way of pension to the persons holding any of the offices mentioned in the sixth part of Schedule D, who on political grounds may retire .from any such office or whose office may be abolished after the parsing of this act. The penkion to be three-fouiths of Ihe salary granted to , him. If the pensioner accept office subsequently . under the Crown such pension to be reduced until be shall have ceased to hold such appointment. ' Those persons who have held offices mentioned in . part 3, Schedule D. are to be allowed retiring allowances upon leaving office upon political grounds; provided they are not ent.tled to receive any allowance Under the sixth part of the schedule. If any such officers shall be absent from ' l be colony for mere than two years, unless he shall ' be of tbe full age of 60 years, his pension shall cease. A list 6f all pensions granted under this act, together with the names of ■ the recipients, - tthall be laid every year before both Legislative Houses of the said colony. Money for purposes of Religion.— The sum of £50,000 is to be reserved for public worship, and ' (ho maintenance of ministers of religion ; and this ' turn in to be apportioned to each denomination according to the last census; every such appor- " t ion men f to he made' under regulations to be , framed by the Governor and Executive Council, and submitted to both the Legislative Houses; -. provided that no moneys exceeding in the aggregate the sum of £25,000 shall be issued in any . one year in aid of ihe stipend* of ministers of religion. Waste Lands of the Crown.— lt shall be lawful .for the Legislature of Victoria tv make laws for regulating the sale, or other disposal, of the waste ' lands of the Crown within tbe colony, and of all mines and minerals therein, subject to certain provisions.

. . Power to appropriate Consolidated Revenue. — After the payments of pensions and charges before - mentioned, all the consolidated revenue arising ■from taxes, duties, rates, and imposts levied by virtue of any act of the Legislature, and from the , dupotal of the waste lands of the Crown, made in .pursuance of the authority herein contained, shall £>c subject to be appropriated to such specific purpose* as any act of the Legislature shall provide in thai behalf; provided that the comolidation of the revenues bhall ~ not affect the payment of any charges upon the territorial revenue as they become due, nor shall such consolidation affect the payment of any sums heretofore charged upon the trims raised by taxes er otherwiea for the use of the colony, for such time as any act 6of the Legits- ~> hture shall have authorized such charges. Appropriation Bills.—K\\ hills for appropriating any part of tho revenue of Victoria, and for imposing any duty, rate, tar, rent, return, or impost, bhall originate in the Assembly, and may be rejected but not altered by the council. The Appro 1 priktion Bills must have been first recommended by ihe Governor to the Legislative Assembly, during the first seision in which such bill shall pats. Warrants for issue of .Money.— No part of her Majesty's revenue in Victoria arising from any of tbe sources aforesaid Bhall be issued, or shall be made Usuable, except in pursuance of warrants under the band of Ihe Governor, directed to the public treasurer thereof. Proclamation of this Act.— This act is to be proclaimed wuhin three months after official information of royal aisent to it shall hare been received by tbe Governor of Victoria, aud lake effect there from the day of proclamation. Power for Legislature to alter this Act.— The Lsgifelaturc of Victoria, as constituted by this act, t>h*ll have full power end authority to repeal, or alter, all or any of tbe provisions of this act, and

to substitute others in lieu thereof. No bill can be lawfully presented to the Governor, by which an all era lion is lo be made, unless it bhall have passed the second and third nadings with the absolute concurrence of an absolute majority of the whole of the members of the LegbLtive Council and Assembly respectively.

Power lo alter Electoral Acts. — Notwithstanding anything herein contained, it bhall be lawful for the said Legislature from time to time, by any act or acts, to alter the qualifications ,of electors und members of the Legislative Council and Legislative Assembly respectively, and to establish new electoral provinces or districts, and from time to time to vary or alter any electoral province or district, and to appoint, alter, or increase the number of members of the Legislative Houses to be chosen by any electoral province or district, and to-in-crease the whole number of members ot the said Legislative Houses, and to alter and regulate the appointment of returning officers, and to make provision in 6uch wanner as they 'may deem expedient for the issue and return of writs for the election of members to serve in the 6aid Legislative Houses respectively, and the time, place, and man1 uerof holding such elections respectively. THE SCHEDULE D REFERRED TO IN THE ACT. Paei 1. £ £ Governor's salary .... 10,000 Salaries of Stan", repairs to Government House, travelling and other expenses 5,000 15,000 Pact 2. Chief Justice 3,000 Three puisne judges, at £2,500 each . 7,500 Master in Equity .... 1,500 12,000 Part 3. Colonial Secretary or Chief Secretary . 2,600 Attorney-General, Treasurer, Commissioner of Public Works, Collector of Customs or Commissioner of Trade and Customs, Surveyor-General or Commissioner of Crown Lands nnd Survey, £2,000 each . . .10,000 Solicitor-General .... 1,500 14,000 Past 4. Clerk and expenses of the- Executive Council 1,500 Clerk and expenses of the Legislative Council 5,000 Auditor-General .... 2,000 8,500 Part 6. Pensions to officers appointed during good behaviour 4,000 Part 6. ' Compensation to the present Incumbcnt9 who may retire or be released on political grounds from any of the following offices, or whoaa offices may be abolished : — The Colonial Secretary Tho Attorney-General The Colonial Treasurer __ ggQ Tho Collector of Customs ' * ' j Tho Solicitor-General The Surveyor-General J Pact 7. Pensions to porsons who may accept responsibla offices and retire, or bo released therofrooi on political grounds 4,000 Part 8. Public Worship . . • . . . .50,000 £112,750 AN ACT TO CONFER A CONSTITUTION ON NEW SOUTH WALES, AND TO GRANT

A CIVIL LIST TO HER MAJESTY.

Parliament of New South Wales.— To consist of a Legislative Council and a Legislative Assembly, with power to make laws for the government of the colony. AH hills for imposing new rates or taxes, or appropriating any part of the public tevenue (with a certain limitation subsequently explained), to originate in the Legislative Assembly.

Legislative Council.

Councillors. — The Governor to be empowered under the sign manual to summon the council, to consist of not less than 21 persons, who Bhall be of the full age of 21 years, natural- born 6ubjecle, or naturalized by an act of the legislature of the colony. Four- fifths of the persons so summoned must consist of persons not holding offices under the Crown; officers of the sea or land forces, on full or half pay, or pensions, excepted.

Tenure of Council. — The members of the first Legislative Council to hold their office five years ; all future members, summoned after the expiration of five years, to hold office for life.

Seats Vacated.— Legislative councillors forfeit their seats by absence for two sessions without permission from the Queen or Governor, by taking any oath of obligation or allegiance to a foreign power, or acquiring the rights of citizenship in a foreign state; by becoming bankrupt or insolvent, or public contractor or defaulter, or being attainted of treason or convicted of felony, &r. Any questions of vacancy that bhall arise out of this provision to be heard before the Legislative Council, with a right of appeal to the Queen and the Privy Council.

President. — The Governor to have the sole power of appointing and retno?ing the president, who shall have the right lo take part in the debates.

Quorum. — One-third of the members required to constitute a quorum. If not divisible by three, then of such whole number as is next greater then one third. Majority of votes, excluding the president, to decide all questions. In case of equality, the president to have the casting vote.

Legislative Assembly.

Constitution.— To consist for the present of 54 members.

Qualification of Electors.— Every elector should be 21 years of age, natural-born, &c, shall possess for six months before registration a freehold within the district, of the value of £100; or, if a housekeeper, or occupier of shop or other building, of the annual value of £10; or leaseholJ of the same annual value, the lease having three years to run, or having been in his possession three years; or bhall hold at the time of registration a license from the Government to depasture lands within the district; or having a Balary of £100 a year, and having enjoyed the 6ame for six months before registration ; or being the occupant of any room or lodging, and paying for his board and lodging £40 a year, or for his lodging only at the rate of £10 a year, and having occupied the same room or lodging for six months before registration as aforesaid, shall be entitled to vote at the tleclioo of a member of the Legislative Assembly. The same conditions as to the payment of taxes, and the same exception as to persona who have been attaiuted of treason, or convicted of felony, are enacted here as to the Victoria act. Joint owners and occupiers are also provided for in the Fame manner.

Electoral Districts. — Until further provision shall be made by the legislature of the said colony, all the provisions contained in "The Electoral Act of 1851." passed by the late Legislative Council in the 14th year of her Majesty's reign, numbered 47, except so touch of the first clause thereof as relates to the number and constitution of the present Legislative Council, and so much of the third and other clauses thereof as is repugnant to this act, shall bo in force aud apply to the election of members to beree in the Legislative Assembly constituted under this act, except as follows :— The

electoral districts of Ea*t Camdeu and West Caratien shall each leturu two members instead of one member to berve in the said Legislative Assembly ; tbe electoral district of the united counties of Cook and Westmoreland, shall return two members; the counties of Murray, St. Vtncent, Roxburgh, and Wellington, shall each form an electoral district, and each return one. member; the county of Cumbeiland bhall be divided into two ridings, to be called the North and South Ridings, the North Riding commencing where the great western road crosses Johns tone' c Creek, and bounded on the south by the centre of that road, hearing westerly to where it crosses 'the southern boundary of the electoral district ol Parramalta, near Beckett's Bridge, thence by part of the southern, by the eastern, noithern, and western boundaries of the saiJ electoral district tv the great western road near the 101 l bar, thence again by the centre of that road, bearing vvebteily to Emu Ferry on the Nepean River ; on the west and north by tho Nepean and Hawkeobory Rivers to Broken Bay, and on the eabt by the sea coast and the southern shores of Port Jackson to Johnstone's Creek, and by Johnstonc's Creek to the point of commencement, exclusive of the hamlets of St. Leonard's and Balmain, and also excluding so much of the Cumberland boroughs as is embraced by the towns of Windsor and Rich- ! mond. aud aUu so much of the borough of ! Peurith as U bituated on the north side of the western road ; and the South Riding commencing where the great western road crosses Johnstone's Creek, and bounded on the north by the centre of that toad, bearing westerly to were it crotsei. the southern boundary of the electoral district of tbe town of Parramatta near Beckett's Bridge, thence by part of the southern boundary of the said electoral district, bearing westerly to the Kreat western road near the tcl'-bar, thence again by the centre of that road, bearing westeily to Emu Ferry on the Nepean River ; on the went by that river upwards to the confluence of the Cataract River; on the 6outh by that river upwards to its source, and thunce by a line bearing east 20 degrees south lo the coast at Bully, being the southern boundary of the county of Cumberland; on the east by the sea coast to Port Jackson, and again on the north by the southern bhoieb of Port Jackson to Johnbtonts'a Cretk, and by Johnstone's Creek to the point of commencement, exclusive of the city of Sydney, and the hamlets of l'addington, Surrey Hills, Redfern, Chippendale, O'Connell Town, Camperdown, and Glebe, and also excluding so much a( the Cuutbeihiid boroughs as iH embraced by the towns of Liverpool and Campbell Town, and also so much of the borough of Penrith as is situated on the south side of the weslern road ; and each of the said ridings shall return two tneinbtrs; the united counties of Northumberland and Hunter thall reluru three members instead of Iwo; tbe city of Sydney shall return four members instead of three; the Sydney hamlets, the town of Parramatta, iho Northumberland boroughs, and the Stanley boroughs, bhall each return two wembers instead ot one member; the electoral districts of the paßtoral districts of the Murruinbidgee, of the Lachlan and' Lower Darling, of Liverpool Plains and the Gwydir, and of New England and the M'Lsay, shall each return two members instead of one member, to serve in the taid Leg is lalive Assembly as aforebaid.

Power of Alteration.— The Legislature is fully empowered to alter the divisions and extent of the counties, districts, cities, &c, represented; to alter the apportionment and number of representatives to be chosen by them ; to alter the appointment of returning officers; and to make such new regulations as they bhall think fit fur the truing of writs, &c. Bills containing such alteration must have the concuuence of a majority of the Legislative Council, and of two- thirds of the Abaembly.

Qualification of Members.— buy person übsoluttly free (except as afterwards excepted),who shall be qualified and registered as a voter, in and for any electoral district within the said colony, shall be qualified to be elected a member of the LsgUiative Assembly for any electoral district within the said colony.

Disqualifications. — Members of council cannot be elected members of the assembly. Persons holding offices or pensions under the Crown cannot be elected, with the following official exceptions: — The Colonial Secretary, Colonial Treasurer, Auditor-General, Attorney General, and SolicitorGeneral, or one of such additional officers, not being more than five, as the Governor, with the advice of the Executive Council, may 'from lime to time, by a notice in the Government Gazette, declare capable of being elected a member of the said assembly. Ministers of liligion of all denominations are declared incapable of berving in the assembly. Any member accepting office vacates his seat. These disqualifications do not affect officers of the army or navy under any circumstances.

Duration of Assembly.— Every Legislative Assembly summoned and chosen bhall continue for five years from the day of the return of the writs for choosing the same, and no longer; subject, nevertheless, to be booner prorogued or disbolved by the Governor. The Speaker to be chosen as in the Victoria Bill.

Quorum. — Twenty members, exclusive of the Speaker, shall be necessary to constitute a meeting of the assembly ; and all questions (with certain exceptions) 6hall be decided by the majority of votes ; when the votes bhall be equal the Speaker shall have the casting vote. Upon any general election, the assembly shall proceed to business, notwithstanding that any writs, not exceeding five, shall not have been returned.

Seats Vacated. — Any member who shall be absent for one whole session without permission of the assembly, or who bhall come under any of tbe other disqualifying circumstances already mentioned with reference to the council, thall thereby vacate his 6eat. Contractors, or persons interested in contracts, are wholly disqualified from sitting in either house. — Contracts or agreements entered into by any incorporated company, or by any trading company consisting of more than twenty persons, are exempted from the operation of this disqualifying clause.

Disqualified Persons. — The election of any disqualified person bhall be void, and any such person bitting or voting as a member of either house bhall forfeit £500, which may be recovered by any person who shall sue for its recovery.

Place and Time. — The Governor may appoint any place or time he thinks fit for holding the sessions of both houses; and may prorogue the council and assembly, or dissolve the assembly whenever he deems it expedient. But one be6sion must be held in each year.

Public Offices. — The appointment fo the public offices, except the appointment of officers liable to retire On political grounds, bhall be vested in the Governor. This does not extend to minor appointments vebted in the heads of departments. Customs Duties. — The legislature of the colony to have full power to levy any customs duties they think fit on all imported articles, whether the a produce of the United Kingdom, or its depend- 1 encies, or eny foreign country; but such dutiesl must be levied equally on the same articles from? whatever country they may be imported. *' Boundaries. — No alteration in the boundaries of the colonies to take place without the legislative asseni of the colony losing any portion of its territory.