It *fo jg talk n b. VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. SESSION 11. Wednesday, September 13th, 1854. Present :—The Speaker and 28 members. The House met pursuant to adjournment. The Speaker read prayers. The Speaker took the Chair. Minutes of last meeting read. Mr. Wakefield presented a Petition from eighty-seven inhabitants of Otahuhu, praying for a reform in the law, with regard to the sale of intoxicating drinks.—Petition received. Mr. Carleton gave notice that, to-morrow, he would move that the report of the Select Committee on the Pre-emption Land Claims Bill be brought up. On motion of Mr. Sewell Standing Order No. 29 was suspended, in order to enable him to move, at this evening's sitting, the adoption of the Report of the Committee on the late prorogation. Mr. Wakefield gave notice that, on the motion for adopting the report of the Committee on the Prorogation, he would ask the attention of the House to a certain protest by members of this House, against the proceedings of the Speaker and certain Members on the occasion of the Prorogation. On motion of Mr. Lee the consideration of the Provincial Waste Lands Bill in Committee ordered to stand as first order of the day for to-morrow. On motion of Mr. Ludlam it was ordered that the consideration of the Estimates do take precedence of all other business until the subject be disposed of. On motion of Mr. Ludlam the Speaker left the Chair, and the House resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, for further consideration of the Estimates. On the Speaker resuming the Chair, the Chairman reported progress and obtained leave to sit again. A Message from His Excellency the Officer administering the Government was announced. His Excellency's Private Secretary was introduced, who presented the following Message which was read by Mr. Speaker :— Message No. 24. The Officer administering the Government requests the attention of the House of Representatives, to the urgent necessity of providing for a Native Secretary's Department in 14