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according to an old custom, each one finishes his own turn. On other occasions those who have clear books help those with notes till all notes are transcribed. 4. If there is any decrease in the hours, has that been due to the different manner in which Mr. Barron has carried out his duties ? —lt may be partly due to increased facility in typing; but even that is largely due to Mr. Barron's obtaining better machines. 5. Is it necessary or desirable that the Chief Eeporter should regularly take a turn in the gallery ?—No. But, in the event of a new appointment, other conditions would arise which would modify this opinion. 6. Is the present staff overworked, and, if so, would the appointment of an additional gallery reporter relieve the pressure ?—The staff is less overworked than formerly. Of course, the more reporters there are appointed the less there will be to do ; but, in any case, unless the staff was overmanned, there would come occasions when extra assistance would be necessary. 7. If the Chief Eeporter reverted to his old system of taking his turn in the gallery, would that relieve the staff sufficiently without the appointment of an additional reporter ? — Judicious management is worth more than an additional reporter. I have absolutely nothing to complain of. The work is necessarily hard. On that understanding I accepted it. 8. If the Chief Eeporter took his turn in the gallery, would his work be any heavier than that of other members of the staff?— Certainly. Heavier as to actual work, plus responsibility, and work of management and control. 9. If not, would £300 per annum be sufficient payment ? —ln Victoria the Chief Eeporter, who does no actual reporting, gets £800 per annum. £300 per annum for the position would be absurdly inadequate. 10. What should be the duties of a Chief Eeporter ?—Those now discharged by Mr. Barron. Generally speaking, the control of the staff, the allotment of work, its supervision, the decision of numerous questions that arise in connection with it, oversight of proofs, a means of communication with Mr. Speaker or members, advising as to appointments, dismissals, &c. 11. Is the system of employing note-takers out of the gallery a good one ?—lt is inevitable, on certain, occasions of pressure, unless the work is to be allowed to go into arrear, the staff overworked, or the staff expensively manned—that is, over-manned for ordinary occasions. 12. Is Mr. Barron a satisfactory Chief, so far as you are concerned?— Yes. 13. How should future appointments to Hansard be made?—l have some diffidence in answering so important a question ; still, as my opinion is asked, I would say they should be made by Mr. Speaker, who alone is capable of representing both sides in Parliament. 14. Do you know of anything likely to improve the reporting, in regard to the position in which the staff is placed in the House? —Have not sufficiently considered the subject to give a reply of any value. If members would speak distinctly, there is no reason why under existing arrangements they should not be reported accurately. 15. Is there any necessity for a Chief Eeporter, and, if so, what special qualities are necessary to fit a man for the position ?—Such an officer is as necessary as the captain of a ship, or the Speaker of a Parliament. As to the second part of the question, I should say integrity of character, scholarship, experience of reporting work in its highest branches, a judicial mind, and, in fact, just those qualities that have to my certain knowledge been exemplified by Mr. Barron during the last ten years. S. Spbagg.

Mb. Bbeey's Answers. 1. Has the work of the Hansard staff, per day, been increased of recent years ?—I do not think the hours are longer, but there has been a marked increase in the rate of speaking. 2. If so, what are the reasons, and what do you suggest as a remedy?— The appointment of an additional reporter. 3. What was the average time worked after the House rose, and before it met, prior to 1893 and afterwards ?—lt takes about an hour to write up notes after the House rises; but it has been found more convenient to come back at 2 o'clock next day, and, as during the first quarter or half-hour the business is usually formal in the House, that gives us the necessary time to transcribe our notes. 4. If there is any decrease in the hours, has that been due to the different manner in which Mr. Barron has carried out his duties ?—No. 5. Is it necessary or desirable that the Chief Eeporter should regularly take a turn in the gallery? —it is very desirable; but if another reporter were appointed it would not be necessary. Considering the present Chief Eeporter's long services, and the fact that up till last session he has taken his regular turn in the gallery, I think he might now be excused; but Ido not think it should be made a precedent for future Chief Eeporters. 6. Is the present staff overworked; and, if so, would the appointment of an additional gallery reporter relieve the pressure?— Yes. 7. If the Chief Eeporter reverted to the old system of taking his turn in the gallery, would that relieve the staff sufficiently without the appointment of an additional reporter ?—Yes. 8. If the Chief Eeporter took his turn in the gallery, would his work be any heavier than other members of the staff?— Very little. 9. If not, would £300 per annum be sufficient payment ?—No. 10. What should be the duties of a Chief Eeporter ?—To control the staff, and generally to direct the work of reporting. 11. Is the. system of employing note-takers out of the gallery a good one ?—Only when absolutely necessary in times of pressure. I estimate that one additional gallery reporter is worth four