89

We venture to assure your Majesty that no conveyances were accepted from the New Zealand Company under the first mentioned Act, because the title to be created by such conveyances was not a fulfilment of the contract entered into by the Company with their land purchasers. Crown Grants have been accepted in the belief that they created valid indefeasible titles. We are deeply sensible of the anxieties which weigh upon the Councils of your Majesty during the momentous contest in which the nations of Europe are engaged; but we trust that the subject of this address—affecting, as it does, all confidence in titles to lands purchased of the Company in the Southern Settlements—will meet with the attention which its importance to the interests of a large class of your Majesty's subjects requires. Debate ensued. On motion of Mr. Merriman, debate on the address to her Majesty adjourned until Tuesday next. Mr. Sewell, with leave of the House, postposed the resolutions standing in his name, second on the notice paper of this day, with a view of moving them in Committee of Supply. Mr. Travers, pursuant to amended notice, moved—that upon consideration of the resolution passed by the House on the 12th September, 1854, in relation to persons holding the offices of Registrar of Deeds and Resident Magistrate, this House is of opinion that it is desirable that the attention of his Excellency the Governor be called thereto. Question put and passed. ORDERS OF THE DAY. 1. Report of Committee on New Zealand Company's Debt. On motion of Mr. Hart, Chairman of the Committee, report postponed until Tuesday next. 2. Report of Committee on Pensioners Petition. On motion of Mr. Sewell, Chairman of the Committee, report postponed until tomorrow. 3. Estimates of Expenditure—to be further considered in Committee. The third order of the day having been read, 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 to-morrow. He also brought up the following resolution, which the Committee recommended for adoption by the House :— " That the system of advances to the respective Provincial Governments should be continued, and the amount of such advances should be equal to the estimated surplus revenue for the current year, when the actual appropriation of this House, together with the other first charges mentioned in his Excellency's message No. 51, are deducted from the estimated amount of the receipts shewn in that message, and that in the event of such estimated surplus, not being actually realized, the deficiency shall be considered a debt for which provision shall be made by the General Government." Question—that the foregoing resolution be adopted by the House—put and passed. ' On motion of Mr. O'Neill, House adjourned at six o'clock unvil to-morrow at noon.

NOTICES OF MOTION. FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 7, 1855 1. MR. TRAVERS —To move that it be an instruction to the Committee on the New Zealand Comnany's Debt to inquire and report to the House what