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(3.) Receivers of Public Revenue. THOMAS GORE BROWNE, Message No. 13. Governor. In compliance with the request contained in Resolution No. 10, dated the 29th April, 1850, the Governor transmits to the House of Representatives the following Returns. A return of the names of all existing officers of the General Government within the Colony whose official duty involves the receipt or custody of any part of the Revenue, either by way of collection or imprest. Also the amount for which such officers have personally given security, the names of their sureties, and the amounts for which they are bound. Also a return of any defalcations by any officer of the General Government which have occurred since the foundation of the Colony, and showing whether and from whom such have been recovered. Also copies of all correspondence between any departements of the General Government or between such departments and the Provincial Government of Nelson, relative to a recent defalcation in the chest of the Sub-Treasurer of the General Government in that Province. Government House, Auckland, May 8, 1856. (4.) Pensions Bill, THOMAS GORE BROWNE, Message No. 14. Governor In accordance with what he understands is the wish of the House of Representatives, the Governor transmits for their information his Memorandum in reference to the " Pension Bill." Government House, Auckland, Bth May, 1856. Memorandum. I have read Mr. Sewell's speech carefully (as reported in the Southern Cross) ; it accurately represents my views on the subject of the Pensions. Since the meeting of the House, I have for the first time, heard definite accusations which oould be recognised against the gentlemen whose retirement is in question. I have no desire to shield them, if they have been guilty of any malversation of office, and if the House will furnish me with sufficient proof thereof, I will recommend the Secretary of State to remove them summarily and without pension. Failing any proof of mis-conduct, I revert to the terms stated in Mr. Sewell's speech. Having reference to what has been done in other Australian Colonies as stated by Mr. Sewell, and remembering that these gentlemen are called on to retire, not for their own convenience, but for tli.it of the public, I am of opinion that their retiring Pensions should not be less than two-thirds ot their salaries. The House is of opinion it should be one half. The time has therefore arrived for a reference to Her Majesty's Government. I will give my assent to the " Pension Bill" if it assigns Pensions to be fixed by Her Majesty's Government, not exceeding two-thirds of their present salary. If I have mistaken my instructions, the error will thus be rectified. If I have understood them correctly, an unconditional acceptance of other terms would be a dereliction of duty on my part, Thomas Gore Browne. Government House, Auckland, May, 2nd, 1856. 6. Supreme Court Procedure Bill On motion of the Colonial Treasurer, this Rill was read a first time, and ordered to be referred to a Select Committee to be moved for by him to-morrow. /. Law Amendment Bill :— On motion of the Colonial Treasurer, this Bill was read a first time and ordered to be referred to the Committee to be appointed to consider the Supreme Court Procedure Bill. 8. New Plymouth, Bill to alter boundaries of: —Mr. C. Brown, pursuant to notice, moved for leave to bring in a Bill to alter the name and boundaries of the Province of New Plymouth. Leave given ; and on motion of Mr. Brown, this Bill was read a first time, ordered to be printed, and the second reading ordered to stand an order of the day for this day fortnight. 9. Motion withdrawn :—Mr. C. Brown, with the leave of the House, withdrew the motion standing in his name, third on the notice paper of this day. 10. Standing Orders :—Mr. Merriman, pursuant to (amended) notice, moved, that the supplementary report of the Standing Orders Committee, dated 7th Mav, 1856, be adopted ; and that the Standing Orders therein recommended be adopted as Standing Orders of this House. Question put and passed. 11. Motion withdrawn .—Mr. Macandrew, with the leave of the House, withdrew the motion it mding in his name, fifth on the notice paper of this day. 12. Papers : —I lie Colonial Secretary laid on the table an extract from a despatch from his Excellency to the Secretary of State for the Colonies, dated 25th September, 1&55, relative to the power of the General Assembly to make alteration in the Constitution. K5. Report ot Home Committee :—Mr. Elliott, Chairman of the House Committee, brought up the report of this Committee, which was read. 14. Petition of Dr. Kingdon :—Mr. East, Chairman of the Committee to which this petition was referred, brought up the report of the Committee, which was read and ordered to be printed. 1 5. Adjournment:—On motion of Mr Carleton, the House adjourned at liaJf-past two o'clock, until to-morrow at noon. Notices