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TUESDAY, MAY 27, 1856. 1. The House met pursuant to adjournment; Mr. Speaker and thirty-three members being present; Mr. Speaker read prayers and took the chair. 2. Papers : —The Colonial Secretary laid On the table the following papers :— (1.) Corrrespondence on the report respecting the discovery of gold at Nelson. (2.) Claim of S. E. Grimstone for compensation for loss of office on introduction of New Zealand Constitution. (3.) Correspondence respecting salary of Colonial Surgeon, Otago. (4.) Statement of amount of 5 per cent, due to the Natives at Wairarapa on proceeds of certain land sales. (5.) Correspondence respecting pecuniary allowance to Naval officers in New Zealand, similar to that given to Military Officers. (6.) Despatch from Secretary of State respecting Colonial Agent-General in London. (7 ) Application from Lieut-Colonel Campbell for a pension. (8.) Correspondence relative to Colonel Wynyard's lodging allowance while Governor of New Ulster. (9.) Application of William Guise Brittan, late Registrar of Deeds at Canterbury, for ar - rears of salary due to him. (10.) Despatch from the Secretary of State respecting the salary of the Bishop of New Zealand (in continuation of papers already presented to the House.) 3: Representation of the Provinces: —Major Greenwood by leave of the House, asked the Attorney-General the question standing in his name on the notice paper of yesterday, which had lapsed, viz., whether it is the intention of the Government during this session to take any, and if any, what steps to adjust the representation of the various Provinces in this House, in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution Act. The Attorney-General replied that it was the intention of the Government to introduce a measure having for its object the purifying of the Electoral Rolls, but that such measure would not be introduced during the present session, 4. Supplementary Estimates :—Mr. Sewell, pursuant to notice, asked the Attorney-General whether it is the intention of the Government to prepare any Supplementary Estimates. The Attorney-General replied, that to-morrow a financial statement should be laid on the table in reference to this question, 5. Gold Fields at Nelson: —Mr. Stafford, pursuant to notice, asked the Government, whether they have any objection to lay on the table any information which they may have received relative to the obtaining of gold on certain Waste Lands of the Crown in the Province of Nelson. Also, to state what measures the Government propose to adopt for regulating the working of such Gold Fields, and for the preservation of the peace throughout the same Mr. Fox replied, it was the intention of the Government to convey to the Provincial Authorities the entire management and control of the Waste Lands, and he also proposed to refer the other question to the Provincial Government of Nelson. (j. Liabilities of the Colony :— Mr. Sewell, pursuant to notice, asked the Attorney-General whether it is the intention of the Government to make any, and what provision for the following outstanding liabilities of the Government, viz., the advance from the Union Bank of Australia; balance due to the Agent-General in England; admitted balances due to Provinces, in particular to the Province of Auckland. Mr. Fox

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.