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or across the House, nor when a member is speaking shall any member hold discourse to interrupt him, except to order, nor pass between him and the chair. 38. All papers and documents laid upon the table of the House, unless othei" wise ordered, shall be considered public, and may be printed. 39. At the time of giving notices of motion, questions are permitted to be put to Ministers, relating to public affairs ; and to other members relating to any Bill, motion, or other public matter connected with the business of the House, in which such members may be concerned. In putting any such question, no argument or opinion is to be offered nor any facts stated, except so far as may be necessary to explain such question. In answering any such question, a member is not to debate the matter to which the same refers. By the indulgence of the House, a member may explain matters of a personal nature, although there be no question before the House, but such matters may not be debated. A reply is allowed to a member who has made a substantive motion to the House, or moved an order of the day, but not to any member who has moved an amendment or an instruction to a Select Committee. PETITIONS. 40. No petitions shall be presented after the House shall have proceeded to the orders of the day, 41.. It shall be incumbent on every member presenting a petition, to acquaint himself with the contents thereof, and to ascertain that it does not contain language disrespectful to the House. 42. Every member presenting a petition to the House, shall affix his name at the beginning thereof. 43. Every petition shall be in writing. 44. Every petition shall contain, at the end thereof, the prayer of the petitioners. 45. Every petition shall be signed by at least one person on every skin or sheet on which the petition is written. 46. Every petition shall be written in the English or in the Maori language; and should any member require the translation of any such petition into either language, the same shall be done by an authorised translator, under the direction of the clerk of the House. 47. Every petition shall be signed by the petitioners themselves, except in cases of incapacity by illness. 48. No letters, affidavits, or other documents, shall be attached to any petition, except in the case of private bills, as hereinafter mentioned. 49. No petition shall make reference either to any debate in the House, or to any intended motion. 50. No petition shall pray directly for a grant of public money. 51. A member presenting a petition to the House, not being a petition for a private bill, or relating to a private bill before the House, shall confine himself to a statement of the description and number of the petitioners, and of the material