No. 2.

THURSDAY, APRIL 17, 1850. 1. [louse met pursuant to adjournment; Mr. Speaker and twenty-seven members present; Mr. Speaker read prayers and took the Chair. 2. Messages:—The following Messages from his Excellency the Governor received and read :— (1.) Commission of his Excellency as Governor and Vice-Admiral. THOMAS GORE BROWNE, Message No. 2. Governor The Governor transmits, for the information of the House of Representatives, the accompanying copies of his Commission as Governor of New Zealand; of the Royal Instructions issued to him; and of his Commission as Vice-Admiral of the same. Government House, Auckland, 17th April, 1856. (2.) Disputed Elections. THOMAS GORE BROWNE, ' Message No. 3. Governor. In conformity with the 54th clause of the Proclamation dated 4th March, 1853, prescribing certain regulations, amongst others, for determining the validity of all disputed returns of elections, the Governor refers to the House of Representatives the accompanying petitions (as specified below) received hy him against the return of certain members of that House :— Pelirion of James O'Neill against the return of Thomas Beckham, for the City of Auckland. Petition of Daniel Pollen against the return of Walter Brodie, for the Suburbs of Auckland. Petition of Walter Brodie against the return of Frederick Ward Merriman, for the Suburbs of Auckland. Petition of certain electors of the Northern Division, in the Province of Auckland, against the return of Walter Lee, for that district. Petition of James Farmer against the return of Joseph Greenwood and John Williamson, for the Pensioner Settlements District, in the Province of Auckland. Petition of William Buckland against the return of Charles John Taylor, for the Southern Division, in the Province of Auckland. Government House, Auckland, 17th April, 1856. On motion of Mr. Sewell, consideration of his Excellency's Message No. 3 ordered to stand an order of the day for a future clay. o. Land Fund, Province of Canterbury:—Mr. Speaker read a letter addressed to him by the Speaker of the Provincial Council of Canterbury, enclosing copy of resolutions-passed by the Council on the subject of the appropriation or the Land Fund of that Province. Letter and enclosure ordered to be laid on the table. 4. Leave of Absence :—Mr. Richmond, with leave of the House, moved, That leave of absence be granted to Mr. East until his recovery from illness. Question put and passed. 5. Standing Orders Committee:—Mr. Sewell, with leave of the House, in theabsence of Mr. Merriman, and pursuant to notice given, moved, That a Committee be appointed for the sessions, to be called the standing Orders Committee, to prepare such Standing Orders as they may from time to time deem advisable to be adopted by the House; that the Committee do report on such day as the House may appoint, and from time to time as they may see occasion, or be required by the House; that the Committee be authorised to communicate with any Committee appointed by the Legislative Council with a view to the adoption of Standing Orders

VOTES AND PROCEEDINGS OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES.