H.—No. 7.

The Committee to whom it was referred to take into consideration all such matters as may come in question in reference to a certain communication made to Mr. Speaker by the Honorable Member for Grey Valley, and by Mr. Speaker communicated to this House, and to report their proceedings, with their opinions thereupon, to the House, beg to submit to the House as their Eeport three Eesolutions which they have agreed to :— 1. Resolved, That, in the opinion of this Committee, no proposals derogatory to the character or position of any Member of the House were made by, or by authority of Mr. Broaden. 2. Resolved, That the evidence taken before the Committee, while it raises a suspicion of an unhealthy state of things, is not sufficient to establish proof of violation of the Privileges of the House by Mr. Holt. 3. Resolved, That the Committee regrets that Mr. Harrison should have made such charges as those contained in his letter to the Speaker, founded on private conversation. The evidence taken by the Committee is appended. D. Moneo, Chairman.

MINUTES OF PROCEEDINGS. Saturday, s'rn October, 1872. Committee met pursuant to notice. Present: Sir D. Monro, Sir Cracroft Wilson, Mr. Eolleston, Mr. Andrew, Mr- Fox, Mr. G. B. Parker, Hon. Mr. Gillies, Mr. Pearce. Sir D. Monro in the Chair. Order of reference read. On the motion of Sir Cracroft Wilson, Resolved, That Sir D. Monro do take the chair. On the motion of Sir Cracroft Wilson, Resolved, That Mr. Harrison, Mr. Brogden and Mr Holt be summoned to attend the Committee at its next sitting. On the motion of Mr. Fox, Resolved, That in case cither Mr. Brogden, Mr. Holt or Mr Harrison should apply to be represented before the Committee by Counsel, the Chairman do ascertain by reference to precedents what is the practice of the Imperial Parliament on such applications in cases of a similar character, and that this Committee will act in accordance therewith. Committee then adjourned until 11 a.m. on Monday.

Monday, 7th Octobee, 1872. Committee met pursuant to adjournment. Peesent: Sir D. Monro, Mr. Pearce, Mr. Andrew, Mr. Pox Mr. Eolleston, Hon. Mr. Gillies, Mr. Sheehan, Mr. O'Eorke, Mr. G. B. Parker, Mr. McLean. Sir Cracroft "Wilson, Sir D. Monro in the Chair. Minutes of the previous meeting read and confirmed. Mr. Harrison examined on oath ; evidence taken by short-hand reporter Committee then adjourned until after the rising of the House on Tuesday, the Bth instant

REPORT OF THE PRIVILEGES COMMITTEE.