No. 31.

WEDNESDAY, JUNE 4, 1856. 1. The House met pursuant to adjournment; Mr. Speaker and thirty members being present; Mr. Speaker read prayers and took the chair. 2. Petition of Francis White Mr. Williamson presented a petition from Francis White, of Auckland, l elative to a claim to a block of 2560 acres of land on the Orira River. Petition received and read, and on motion of Mr. Williamson ordered to be referred to the Committee on Old Land Claims. .3. Petition of Charles, Baron DeThierry Mr. Merriman presented a petition from the Baron De 1 merry, relati e to a claim by him, No. 455b, to land at Waima. Petition received, and on motion of Mr. Merriman ordered to be referred to the Committee on Old Land Claims. *1. Papers The Colonial Secretary laid on the table the following papers: Copies of papers respecting an increase to the salaries of the Judges'of New Zealand. 5. Elections Mr Carleton, pursuant to notice, moved, That it be an instruction to the select Committee on the Constitution, to consider and report on Governor Grey's Electoral Regulations, and that, in iurtheiance of such consideration, the correspondence laid on the table by the Ci lomal Secretary concerning the proceedings of the Returning Officer at the Bay of Islands during the late elections, be referred to them. Question put and passed. 6. Land Scrip Committee The Colonial Treasurer, pursuant to notice, moved that Mr. Travers and Mr. Curtis be added to the Land Scrip Committee. Question put and passed. 7. Constitution Act Committee : Mr. Stafford, by leave of the House, moved, That he be discharged from the Committee on Changes in the Constitution Act. Question put and passed. °" an Property Sale Bill Mr, Travers, pursuant to notice, moved for leave to bring in a -Bill to authorize the sale of certain lands in the town of Nelson and of buildings thereon, appiopilated as a chapel and school house for the use of the Wesleyan Methodists, and to provide for the investment of the proceeds of sale, in the purchase of other lands and the erection of buildings, to be vested in trustees, and appropriated for like purposes. Leave given, and, on motion of Mr. Travers, the Bill was read a first time. 9. Defalcation of Sub- Treasurer at Nelson :—Mr. Fox, pursuant to notice, moved for continuation o any correspondence between the General Government and other departments or persons, relative to a defalcation of the Sub-Treasurer at Nelson. Mr. Stafford laid upon the table copies of the documents referred to. Mr. l<ox, pursuant to notice, asked Mr. Stafford whether it is the intention of the Government to advise his hxcellency as to any, and what course in respect of such defalcation, and the party guilty thereof. Mr. Stafford replied, that he was not at present prepared to say what course would be adopted in this matter, as he was informed that the late Sub-Treasurer at Nelson had left the Colony. 10. Finance Committee :—The Colonial Treasurer brought up a progress report of this Committee, which, with the evidence taken before the Committee, was ordered to be printed. 11. Bank Paper Currency Bill: —Mr. Macandrew moved that order of the day No. 5 be next considered. Question put and passed. Mr. Macandrew

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.