REPORT.

Tee Set.ect Committee of the House of Representatives, instructed July 12th, 1856, to prepare Standing Orders relating to the Proceedings on Private Bills and other private matters, report as follows :— Your Committee recommend to your Honorable House the adoption of the Standing Orders on Private Bills and other private business referred to it, on the motion of Mr. Pox, on the 12tli instant. WILLIAM FOX, Chairman. Committee Room, House of Representatives, July 15, 1856.

STANDING ORDERS, RELATING TO PRIVATE BILLS AND OTHER PRIVATE BUSINESS, PROPOSED FOR ADOPTION BY THE HOUSE. 1. Every Private Bill shall be solicited by a " Private Bill Agent." 2. No person sball act as such agent till he shall have enrolled his name and place of abode with the Clerk of the House of Representatives, in a book to be kept for that purpose, and shall have signed a declaration to observe and obey all rules of the llousc, and pay all fees and charges when demanded. 3. No Member of either House of the General Assembly (either in person or by partner), and no servant of either House, shall be permitted to act as Private Bill Agent. 4. Any agent acting contrary to the rules of the House, disobeying the orders of Mr. Speaker, or of the Chairman of any Committee, or neglecting or refusing to pay any fees due in respect of any Bill or other proceeding solicited by him, may be prohibited from practising by order of Mr. Speaker. 5. All proceedings in the Clerk's Office connected with any Private Bills shall be conducted by the Private Bill Agent in charge of such Bills ; but all proceedings in the House shall be conducted by some Member thereof, selected by such agent, and who shall be in charge of the Bill. The agent shall attend the special Committee on the Bill, and, either in person or by counsel, conduct the case, by the production of evidence, argument, or otherwise, as may be necessary. 6. The proceedings on Private Bills in the House shall be taken at some hour to be fixed by Mr. Speaker, and shall not be allowed to interfere with the progress of the public business of the House. The House shall not be counted out during the proceedings on any Private Bill, if seven Members, exclusive of Mr. Speaker, shall be present. 7. At the commencement of every Session, a standing Committee of nine Members shall be appointed, to which shall be referred all Petitions relating to private grievances; and no such Petition