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" Resolved, That, with the view of improving the character of Hansard, a permanent staff of efficient reporters should be engaged for that service, and that it should be a primary duty of the Chief Reporter to take his share in the task of reporting, and that the Government be authorised during the recess to engage an efficient staff of reporters at salaries not exceeding £300 per annum."

Extract from Jouenals of the House of Bepbesentatives, 16th September, 1876. Mb. Speaker communicated to the House the following letter which he had received from the Chief Beporter of the Hansard staff: — << g lE> — " Hansard Office, Saturday Evening, 16th September. " I beg most respectfully to say that the reason why the present debate is not being reported is that it is physically impossible for my staff to do the work, and I could not get sufficient assistance in Wellington to enable it to be done. " I have, &c, " C. C. N. Baebon, " The Hon. the Speaker. " Chief Beporter."

Extract from Journals of the House of Bepresentatives, 18th September, 1876. Mr. Speaker communicated to the House the following letter, which he had received from the Chief Beporter of the Hansard Beporting staff: — « Sib,— " Monday, 18th September, 1876. I have the honour to state that the debate is now being reported, and will be as long as the Beporting Staff has strength to do the work. " There are seven reporters on the staff, including myself, to do the work of both Houses ; and, as there is an important debate coming on this evening in the Upper House, I shall have to detach three reporters to take it. I shall then be left with four to take the proceedings of the House of Bepresentatives. " The staff did go on reporting until it could report no more. It would take more than double the number of the reporters at my disposal to report such a debate, and that number I cannot possibly obtain. " I have, &c, v " C. C. N. Barron, " The Hon. the Speaker. "Chief Beporter."

Extbacts from Appendix to Jouenals of the House of Bepresentatives, A.-3, Vol. 1., 1893. On the 18th August, 1892, Mr. Barron wrote to the Speaker recommending that an additional reporter should be appointed to the Hansard staff. Mr. Barron recommended that Mr. A. M. Kay [then and now on Mr. Pirani's paper at Palmerston North] should be appointed. In his letter Mr. Barron says : " I am compelled to make this recommendation, because the work has become so heavy that it is with the greatest difficulty the staff can overtake it." Again, on 2nd November, 1892, Mr. Barron writes: " Of course I do not apply lightly for an additional reporter. It does not mean an additional expense of £250 or £300 a year, but about half that, for every session. I have to get additional assistance through the smallness of the staff. I am convinced that before long this appointment will have to be made or the staff will break down." Compabative Table to show that the volume of parliamentary reporting has increased during the last two years :— 1892. 1893. 1894. Number of pages of Hansard ... ... 2,841 3,001 3,150 Comparing last year with the present year it will be seen that the volume of reporting is still increasing, as the following figures show : — 1894: 21st June to 9th August ... ... ... 1,200 pages of Mansard. 1895: 20th June to 9th August ... ... ... 1,312 Increase for 1895 ... ... ... 112 Mb. Wabd's Speech (Beply to .Financial Debate, 19th July, 1895) : — Total number of words ... ... ... ... ... ... 12,698 60)12698 211-2.8 Average per minute ... ... ... ... ... 211§§ words. Approximate Cost of Paper.— Preparation, not given; printing (1,400 copies), £7 12s. 6d. Price 6d.} By Authority : Samuel Costall, Government Printer, Wellington.—lB9s.