FRIDAY, July 14th, 1854. Present—The Speaker and 15 members. The House met pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker read prayers. The Speaker took the Chair. Minutes of last meeting read. Mr. Travers gave notice that, on Wednesday, the 19th instant, lie would move that Returns be laid on the table, showing, Ist, the proportion in which the money raised by the issue of Debentures in New Zealand was expended in the several settlemants of Auckland, Wellington, Nelson, and New Plymouth; and 2ndly, the amount of the Parliamentary Grant for New Zealand for the years 1845 to 1853, both inclusive, and the proportion in which the same has been been expended in the several settlements of Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago. Mr. Sewell laid on the table certaim papers relative to the defences of the Colony. . Mr. Travers asked the question standing in his name on this day's papet relative to Education in New Zealand. Mr. E. Jerningham Wakefield, pursuant to notice, moved that the Standing Orders Committee be instructed to consider and prepare rules, relative to the decision of the validity of controverted elections of members of this House. Report to be brought up on luesday, 18th. Agreed to. Mr. Lee, pursuant to notice, moved the address mentioned in notice No. 2, in this day'B paper. Motion not seconded. Mr. Merriman, pursuant to notice, moved that the Committee appointed to report upon the privileges of the House, be authorised to confer with any Committee appointed by the Legislative Council on a similar subject. Agreed to. . , c Mr. Merriman moved that the time for bringing up the report of the Committee on the privileges of the House, be extended to lutsday, the 25th July. Agreed to. Dr. Bacot gave notice that, on Tuesday, 18th instant he would ask the Head of the Government in this House, whether it is the intention of the Government to inform the native population that war has been declared between Great Britain and Russia. . . Mr Merriman gave notice that on Tuesday, the 25th instant, he would move for leave to bring in a Bill to amend "an Ordinance to provide for the establishment of Resident Magistrates Courts, and to make special provision for the administration of justice in certain cases. Mr Fitzgerald, according to notice, moved the adoption of the following address to Her Majesty, upon the subject of the declaration of war against Russia, announced to this House by His Excellcncy s message, on Tuesday 5 the 11th instant. _ , „ ~ . . To the Queen s most excellent Majesty. We your Majesty's faithful subjects, the Commons of New Zealand, in their House of Representatives assembled, have learned, with deep interest, that your Majesty has been compelled to take up arms in defence of an ancient ally against the aggression of Russia, , , We feel it our duty, in common with all your Majesty s subjects, to approach \our Majesty to repeat the assurance of our devoted loyalty, and to express our sympathy with the just and generous cause in which your Majesty is engaged This Colony, young and feeble, situated in so remote a portion of the globe, can unfortunately add but little to the expression of its unalterable attachment md true and faithful allegiance to your Majesty's throne and person. s

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF TIIE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES