1.—6,

4

Another amendment proposed, To omit the words "Governorin Council," and insert the words " General Assembly." (Mr. J. E. Brown). Amendment negatived. Clause 38 agreed to. Clause 39 read and agreed to. The Committee then adjourned until Friday, 7th September, at 11.30 o'clock. Fbidat, 7th September, 1877. The Committee met pursuant to adjournment at 11.30 o'clock. Pbesext: Mr. Ballance, Mr. Beetham, Sir R. Douglas, Mr. Harper, Mr. Lumsden, Hon. I). Eeid, Mr. Eolleston, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Stout, Mr. Thomson. Mr. Curtis in the Chair. The minutes of the previous meeting were read and confirmed. The Committee resumed the consideration of the Bill intituled, " The Land Act, 1877." Clause 40read. Amendment proposed to substitute the word " thirty" for the word " twenty." (Mr. Stout). And the question being put, That the word proposed to be left out stand part of the clause. The Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows: — Ayes, 5. Noes, 5. Mr. Beetham, Mr. Bunny, Mr. Ballance, Mr. Harper, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Eolleston, Mr. Sharp, Mr. Stout. Hon. D. Eeid. Mr. Thomson, And the numbers being equal, the Chairman gave his casting-vote with the noes. So it passed in the negative. Amendment agreed to. Another amendment proposed, To substitute the word " five " for " three." (Mr. Stout). And the question being put, That the word proposed to be left out stand part of the clause, the Committee divided, and the names were taken down as follows : — Ayes, 6. JVoes, 4. Mr. Beetham Mr. Bunny, Mr. Harper, Mr. Ballance, Mr. Lumsden, Mr. Eolleston, Hon. Mr. Eeid, Mr. Stout. Mr. Sharp, Mr. Thomson. So it passed in the affirmative. Clause as amended agreed to. Clause 41 read. Amendment proposed, To omit the words " more than three months nor." (Mr. Stout). Amendment agreed to. Another amendment proposed, To substitute the word " three " for the word " one." (Mr. Stout). Amendment negatived. Clause as amended agreed to. Clause 42 read and agreed to. Clause 43 postponed. Clause 44 read and agreed to. Clause 45 postponed. Clause 46 read. Amendment proposed, To substitute the words "one month" for the words "twenty-one days." (Mr. Stout). Amendment agreed to. Another amendment proposed, To add the following words to the clause, " Provided that if any application be not granted, the deposit money shall be returned." (Mr. Eolleston). Amendment agreed to. « Clause as amended agreed to. Clause 47 read and agreed to. Clause 48 read. Amendment proposed, To omit the proviso. (Mr. Sharp). Amendment negatived. Clause agreed to. Clauses 49 to 53 read and agreed to. Petitions of Inhabitants of Wairarapa presented by Mr. Beetham read. The Committee resumed consideration of the Bill intituled " The Land Act, 1877." Clause 54 read. Amendment proposed, In line 2, to omit the word " town." (Mr. Ballance).