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MONDAY, AUGUST 11, 185 G. 1. The House met pursuant to adjournment; twenty members being present. Mr. Stafford moved, That, Mr. Speaker being prevented, through illness, from attending on his duties in this House, the Chairman of Committees, do take the chair for this day. The Clerk having put the question, and it having been carried in the affirmative, the Chairman of Committees took the chair, and read prayers. 2. Native Affairs:—Mr. Hall, for Mr. Fitzgerald, and pursuant to notice given, moved, That an humble address be presented to her Majesty, praying her Majesty to be graciously pleased to cause instructions to be issued to the Governor of New Zealand, directing his Excellency to advise with his Executive Council upon all matters connected with the aboriginal Natives, in the same manner as upon all other affairs of the Colony. Question put and passed. 3. Flax, Exportation of:—Mr. Williamson, pursuant to notice, moved, That, with a view to encourage the preparation of New Zealand Flax, or other fibrous plants indigenous to this Colony, as an article of export, a respectful address be presented to the Governor, informing his Excellency that, in the opinion of this House, it is desirable that some reward should be held out to persons who may prove to the satisfaction of the Government that they have discovered an efficient means whereby flax, or such other fibrous plants, can be prepared, in such quantities and at such a cost as will render it an article of general export; and that, should the Government deem it prudent to pay any such reasonable reward, this House undertakes to make provision for the same. Question put and passed. 4. Motion withdrawn:—Mr. Williamson, by leave of the House, withdrew the motion standing in his name, third on the notice paper of this day. 5. Native Affairs :—Mr. Lee, pursuant to notice, moved, That a respectful address be presented to his Excellency the Governor, assuring him that this House, recognizing, as it does, the importance of the Native question, as one immediately connected with the present and future prosperity of this Colony, and that, unless approached with great caution and prudence, is likely to bring about hostilities which may lead to the extermination of the Native race, begs to assure his Excellency of their anxiety to co-operate in carrying out any measure that may be considered calculated to remove present difficulties (should any exist) or prevent future discontent, and humbly submit that it is the opinion of this House that "The Native Offenders Bill was not of that character, or likely to secure the object desired. This House, therefore, requests that his Excellency will, during the recess, fall back on the provisions of the 71st clause of the Constitution Act, and, under its provisions, project some scheme of a safer and less coercive nature, whereby an importance of character and status will be given to the Native race, in the shape of municipal corporations, by instituting Native courts in Native districts, with European Magistrates, in which a system of Native juries shall exist, the qualification of such jurors to be chieftainship, the franchise for Native electors to be registration ; some such measure being likely to secure the attachment of the Native race to European institutions and customs, as well as provide a system to secure a census of the Native population. Mr. Cuff moved, as an amendment, That all the words after the word " That," in the first be omitted, with a view to insert the following in lieu thereof:— " ihis House is deeply sensible of the importance and necessity of organizing some system _ government for the aboriginal Natives adapted to their circumstances ; and declares its opinion that it will be the duty of the responsible ministers, during the recess, to devise some system for that object." Question

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.