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The Speaker then read the correspondence which had passed on the subject, between himself and the Colonial Secretary. Whereupon Mr. Darvall moved, That the correspondence, as read, be printed, and taken into consideration on Tuesday next, before any other business on the Paper for that day. Mr. Martin moved, That the Question bo amended by the omission of all the words thereof following the word " That," at the commencement, with a view to the insertion in their place of the words "this House approves the step3 taken by Mr. Speaker, in reference to the recent " appointment, by His Excellency the Governor-General and the Executive Council, without " any previous communication with him, of certain Officers of the House, and hereby records it» " strong disapproval of the course taken by the Government in the matter." " (?.) That the foregoing Kesolutio-n be embodied iu an Address and presented to Hit " Excellency the Governor-General." Debate ensued. Question put, —That the words proposed to ba omitted stind part of the Question. The House divided. Ayes, 16; Noes, 30. Question put,—That the word3 proposed to be inserted, in the place of the words omitted, be so inserted. The House divided. Ayes, 9 ; Noes, 37. Motion made by .VIr. Parkes, and Question put, —That in the place of the words omitted, the following words be inserted:— " (1.) This House having taken into consideration the correspondence this day laid before it " by Mr. Speaker, in reference to the recent appointments by the Executive Government, " without his concurrence, of the Clerk and certain other officers of the House, is of opinion that " no such appointments o»ght to have been made except on the Speaker's recommendation, and " hereby records its disapproval of the conduct of tne Government in the matter of such " appointments, on the ground that the course taken is contrary to the usage of Parliament, " and calculated to endanger the freedom and independence of this House. " (2 ) That the foregoing Uesolution be communicated by Address to His Excellency the " Governor-General." The House divided. Ayes, 19 ; Noes, 28. Mr. Piddington moved, That in thepl ice of the words omitted the following words be inserted:— "this House is of opinion that the course pursued by Mr. Speaker in the correspondence wnich "has been laid upon the Table is entirely in accordance with the duty of Mr. Speaker as the "guardian of the privileges and the depository of the dignity of the House." Question put. The House divided. Ayes, 27; Noes, 19. Mr. Piddington then moved that, after the words last carried, the following words be added :— (2.) " That it is the opinion of this House that, in order to maintain the dignity and usefulness " of the office of Speaker, all the clerks and other officers of the Hiiuse ought to be appointed by " the Executive upon the recommendation of the Speaker of the Legislative Assembly." Question put, The House divided. Ayes, 26; Noes, 20. Mr. Piddington then moved, That, after the words last carried, the following words be added:— (3.) " That the power of absolute removal and suspension of all the officers of the Legislative " Assembly (excepting the Clerks at the Table) be vested in the Speaker of this House." Question put and negatived. Mr. Piddington then moved, That, iifter the words last carried, the following words be added:— (3.) " That the above Resolutions be embodied in an Address to His Excellency the Governor- " General." Question put and passed. Whereupon Question, — (1.) That this House is of opinion that the e.rarse pursued by Mr. Speaker in" the correspondence which has been laid upon the Table, is entirely in accordance with the duty of Mr. Speaker 83 the guardian of the privileges and the depository of the dignity of the House. (2.) '! hat it is the opinion of this House, That in order to maintain the dignity and usefulness of the office of Speaker, all the Clerks and other officers of the House ought to be appointed by the Executive upon the recommendation of ti.e Speaker of the Legislative Assembly. (3.) That the above Resolutions be embodied iu an Address to His Excellency the GovernorGeneral, — Put and passed. Wednesday, 1st February, 1860. Question of Privilege:—The following Message from His Excellency the Governor General received and read :— W. Demson, Message No. 20. Governor- General. In reply to the Address communicating certain Resolutions adopted by theLegislative Assembly, on the subject of the appointment of the Clerks and other Officers of that House, —

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APPOINTMENT OF OFFICERS