Monday, June 21, 1855. Committee met. Present. — Mr. Richmond Mr. Hall „ Weld „ Beckham „ Carleton Dr. Monro „ Ollivier Mr. Richmond in the chair. Minutes of preceding meeting read and confirmed. The following resolutions were then moved by Mr. Carleton :— 1. That an apportionment of Eepresentation based upon the number only of the Registered Electors in the respective Electoral Districts, does not meet the requirements of the Colony. Carried. 2. That in regulating the extent of the Electoral Districts, under any new division thereof, the proportionate numbers of Electors as proposed by Electoral Bill No. 2 ought not to be solely considered. Carried. 3. That a self adjusting system of apportionment as provided for in the Electoral Bill No. 2 is not required, and that any such change of apportionment as might from time to time appear advisable, ought to be provided for by special enactment, pro re nata. Carried. 4. That the number of the Representatives ought to be considerably increased after purification of the roll, but without further unnecessary delay. Carried. 5. That means ought to be devised at some convenient future time, for giving a fitting influence to education in the Representation of the Country. Carried. 6. That in any re-adjustment of the Representation of the Colouy, regard as far as possible behad to the Representation of minorities. Question put. Ayes. Noes. Mr. Carleton, Mr. Ollivier. " Beckham, " Hall, " Weld. Dr. Monro not voting. 7. That it is inexpedient to discontinue the practice of open voting, and that in the opinion of this Committee secret voting is calculated to produce greater evils than those which it is intended to remedy. Question put. Ayes. Noes. Mr. Carleton, Mr. Richmond, " Hall, « Ollivier.. " Monro, " Weld. 8. That the unrepresented state of certain important Districts, renders it advisable that members should be assigned to them forthwith, but that the actual election of such members should not take place until after the purification of the Electoral Roll. Carried. 9. That the Districts referred to in the preceding resolution are the following : The Southern part of the Southern Division of the Province of Auckland, the District of Hawkes' Bay, the District of Amuri, the District of Murihiku : each to have one Member. Carried. 10. That it is desirable to make specific provision for the representation of the Gold Digging population, under convenient regulations to be enacted for that particular purpose. Carried. The following resolutions were also brought under the consideration of the Committee :— Moved by Mr. Ollivier :— That in apportioning the number of Representatives to the several districts regard should be had to the character of the District. In those Districts formed within the limits of Townships the number of Representatives should bear the numerical proportion of 1 to 10. In agricultural and mining Districts 1 to 8. In pastoral Districts 1 to 6. Withdrawn by consent. Moved by Mr. Carleton :— That laws to make better provision for Provincial Elections ought to be enacted by the General Assembly. Withdrawn by consent. Committee then adjourned to Wednesday, 23rd June, 1858, at 10.30. C. W. Richmond. Wednesday, June 23 ( 1858. Committee met, Present: — Mr. Richmond Mr. Weld " Monro " Carletan " Merriman " Hall " Packer " Beckham

14