ment of their expenses as Members of the Legislature a matter of no importance to them ; whilst, at the sama time, it is desirable, with a view to the people's estimation of them, that the important duties which the Constitution assigns to them as one of the co-ordinate branches of the Legislature should be performed gratuitously." The following amendment was rejected :— " That in order to secure the various Provinces equally the attendance of Members summoned to the Legislative Council, it is expedient that provision be made for their expenses in attending the meetini of the Assembly on the same »cale as Members of the House of Representatives." The following Resolution passed nem. con.— " Chat in all cases of Members of the Legislative Council being summoned to attend the General Assembly, it is the duty of the Government to provide them with a sea passage to and from the port nearest to their homes." The following Resolution passed nem. con : '• That in order to afford to the people the utmost freedom in the choice of their Representatives, and especially to the end that they may not be limited in their selection to persons of independent private property, itis expedient that the expenses of the Members ot this House, as incurred by themin the performance of their legislative duties, should be reasonably provided for on a liberal rather than on a parsimonious scale." The following Resolution was carried nem. con. " That the expenses of Members of the House of Representatives should be paid at the following rate : — " The actual and necessary travelling expenses incurred in coming from aud returning to their homes, calculated and audited in the usual manner, in which such expenses are calculated in respect to persons in the Government service, i "° P erson ® ha ' l be paid travelling expenses to his home who shall have left before the end of the Session without obtaining leave from the House. c ■" V a !i tW £ nty Sh , ll i mgs a , ? ay * c f lcu 'ated from the day of the opening of the Session of the General Assembly to the day of the closing of the same, beallowed to every member towards defraying such expenses." And lastly— " Th . a t as a general principle for adoption at a future time, it is desirable that all provision for the expenses of Members of the Legislature should be made by way of permanent Act, and not by vote of annual appropriation. 7 James Mack ay, House of Representatives, Chairman. Auckland, Sept. 12, 1854.