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Mr. Fox replied that the debt due to the Union Bank of Australia had been reduced to the amount £12,500, which it was intended to refund from a proposed loan ; that the AgentGeneral's account did not exceed £500 : and that there were at present no balances due to the Provinces. 7- Estimates:—Mr. Sewell, pursuant to notice, asked the Attorney-General whether he is prepared to lay before this House the data of calculation on which the revenue of the ensuing year is estimated, and whether such data have been furnished by the Auditor-General and Collector of Customs at Auckland. . Mr. Fox replied that the statements of the estimated revenue laid before the House had been chiefly based on accounts to 30th June, 1855. 8. Land Revenue:—Mr. Sewell, pursuant to notice, asked the Attorney-General whether it is the intention of the Government to bring the proposed changes affecting the land fund into immediate operation, and if so, what steps have been, or are being taken with that object, or when it is proposed that such changes shall come into operation. Mr. Fox replied that it was proposed to effect these changes as soon as possible, but that as yet no measure had been agreed to by the House to enable the Government to do so. i). Native Land Purchases:—Mr. Sewell pursuant to notice asked the Attorney-Generai what sum it is proposed to apply in the ensuing financial period, towards the purchase of Native Lands, and from what source to be derived, and the particulars of the proposed application thereof. Mr. Fox replied th-it the amount applied to this service would depend on the amount of land the Government should be able to purchase from the Natives ; the souree would be the proposed Loan; and he declined to answer as to the particulars of application. 10. New Zealand Company's Debt:—Mr. Sewell, pursuant to notice, asked the AttorneyGeneral whether, failing the negotiation for a settlement of the New Zealand Company s Debt, or pending the same, it is proposed to make any, and what, provision for payment of arrears of fourths of the land fund to the Company, due, and accruing. Mr. Fox declined answering the question until after the report of the New Zealand Com - pany's Debt Committee shall have been laid upon the table. 11. Surplus Revenue: —Mr. Sewell, pursuant to notice, asked the Attorney-General whether it is the intention of the Government to place on the estimates the sum of £66,000, being two-thirds of the estimated net Customs revenue, for the service of the Provincial Governments. Mr. Fox replied that the real net revenue was to be treated in this manner, whatever it may be ; not the estimated revenue. Mr. Sewell then, pursuant to notice, moved, That a respeetful address be presented to his Excellency, praying him to place upon the estimates such a sum, or such reasonable quota of the revenue, as he may be advised to be the probable amounnt of distributable surplus during the ensuing financial period, in order that the House may, within prudent limits make an appropriation thereof for the services of the Provincial Governments, and prescribe such mode of payment as may appear convenientQuestion put and passed. 12. Bank Charters Bill:—Mr. Macandrew, pursuant to notiee, moved for leave to bring in a Chartered Bank of Issue Bill as recommended by a Select Committee. Leave given ; and on motion of Mr. Macandrew, the Bill was read a first time, and the second reading ordered to stand an order of the day for to-morrow. 13. Ways and Means; —The Attorney-General, pursuant to notice, moved,'l hat this House do resolve itself into a Committee of Supply to consider the Estimates. Mr. Stafford moved that the question be amended by the omission of all the words after the word " that" with a view to insert the following, " this House do resolve itself into a Committee of Ways and Means, in order to consider the estimated revenue of the Colony for the ensuing year, and the general financial policy of the Government." Debate ensued. . . Question, That the words proposed to be omitted do stand part of the question, put and negatived. Question, That the words proposed to be inserted do stand part of the question, put and passed. Whereupon question as amended put and passed. Mr. Speaker accordingly left the chair, the House resolving itself into a Committee of Ways and Means. On Mr. Speaker resuming the chair, the Chairman reported that the Committee recommended the following resolution to the adoption of the House — " That it would be inconvenient to consider estimates based on the assumption of a loan, until such loan shall have been first sanctioned by the House, the terms thereof settled, and its intended appropriation defined." Question, that the foregoing resolution be adopted by the House, put and passed. 14. Adjournment ".—On motion of Mr. D. Bell, the House adjourned at a quarter past two o clockNoticei