No. 33.

FRIDAY, JUNE 6, 1856, 1. The House met pursuant to adjournment; Mr. Speaker and thirty-one members present; Mr, Speaker read prayers and took the chair. 2. Petition of James Gilligan:—Mr Bell presented a petition from James Gilligan, stating that he had sustained considerable loss and inconvenience as a member of a small farm association, in consequence of its having been discovered on the eve of selection, that there was an unsatisfied native claim over half of the block of land placed at the disposal of the association, and praying the House to grant him redress. Petition received and read. 3. Petition of Staff-Surgeon Bacot:—Mr. Carleton presented a petition from Staff-Surgeon J T.W Bacot, stating that he had arrived in New Zealand in medical charge of pensioners, and considered himself entitled to the same advantages as other officers of pensioners, that the Colonial Government refused to issue him a Crown Grant for the House and Land he had occupied at Howick, and praying the House to take his claim into consideration. Petition received and read. 4. Congratulatory Address to Her Majesty :—Mr. Stafford, pursuant to notice, moved, That the House do adopt the address to Her Majesty on the achievements of Her Majesty's Forces and those of Her Allies in the present war, prepared by the select Committee, and that it be transmitted to Her Majesty by Mr. Speaker, and a copy of the same presented to his Excellency the Governor. Question put and passed. 5. Land Scrip Committee:—The Colonial Treasurer, pursuant to notice, moved, That Mr. Fox be added to the Land Scrip Committee. Question put and passed. H. Leave of Absence :—Mr. Stafford, pursuant to notice, moved, That leave of absence for one month be given to Mr. Elliott, on the grounds of urgent private business. Question put and passed. 7- Superintendents of Provinces :—Mr. Fox, pursuant to notice, moved, That although in the formation of a Ministry, and during the session qf the General Assembly, while under the immediate control of that body it may be expedient that Superintendents of Provinces should be members of the Executive Government of the Colony, yet this House is resolved that under any other circumstances, an officer in the Ministry of the General Government is incompatible with the office of Superintendent, necessarily involving any Superintertdent holding such double office in suspicion of provincial partiality, as well as affording an opportunity for the exercise of such feeling should it exist. And this House further resolves that any Superintendent who may, during the session have taken office as a Responsible Minister, ought, at some reasonable time before the Assembly shall be prorogued, to announce to the House \yhich of the two offices he will abandon at the close of the session. Debate ensued. Motion by leave withdrawn. 8. Registration at the Wairau :—Mr. Wells pursuant to notice, asked Sir. Stafford if a DeputyRegistrar of Births and Deaths has been appointed for the Wairau District, Nelson Province, if so, the date ,of the appointment, and if the necessary books have been forwarded for said registration. Mr. Stafford replied, That Mr. Vickerman had been appointed Registrar on the 3rd of November last, but, that, though the attention of the General Government had been twice called to the neglect, no books had been forwarded, but the present Government would do so by the npxt steamer. p. Defalcation

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS or THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.