OEDEE OP EEFEEENCE.

Extract from the Journals of the Souse of Representatives. Thuesday, 15tii Octobee, 1868. — Besolved, "That a respectful Address be presented to His Excellency the Governor, praying him to recommend to this House that a sum of £100 be offered as Premiums for the best Essays to be written on the following subject: ' The means for securing the Permanent Settlement of the Mining Population of New Zealand, and for fixing within the Colony the capital which is being constantly drained away from the Gold Pields, as shown in the great excess of exports over imports at the Ports of the exclusively Gold-mining Districts.'"— (Mr. Potts.)