Bo bit brought up the report of the Railway Timber Committee, which was read as follows :— " The .committee are of opinion from the evidence they'were able to obtain, that Oregon timber of, the besfc quality is equal, if not superior to black pino, bufc inferior to Totara, Jarrah, and other timbers of like quality obtainable in New Zealand and Aus tralia. They are therefore of opinion that the latter class of timber should be obtained for railway sleepers, in preference to Oregon pine, even at a considerably enhanced price." KB. E. G. WEIGHT S PETITION. Mr Duncan brought up the following re port i-rr-'. "That Mr Wright has a valid claim in equity against tho province, under the agreement mado wifch the then Provincial Government. "That Mr Wright should receive from the Provinoial Government tho sum of three hun dred and seventy pouuds (£370), in full satisfaction of his claim, providing he pro cures at his own expense a legal title to the reserve in question, and hands the Bame over to the Superintendent of Canterbury," ASHLEY BRIDGE. Mr Melville Walker asked the Govern ment if they had any matured plans with regard to the Ashley bridge ; and if thoy have, what are they ? , Mr Kennaway said that the Government had determined to try to keep tho water under the bridge, and this could bo dono at a com paratively small cost. It would cost over £4000 fco extend the bridge over the whole of tho river bed. LEAVE OF ABSENCE. Mr Maude moved — That leave of absence Ibe granted to the Hon. W. Buckley for ton •days, on the ground of urgent privato busi ness. The motion was agreed to. BOADS OEDINANCE AMENDMENT ORDINANCE, 1872. "Mr Kenna-way moved— Thafc "The Roads •Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 1872," be read a second time. The bill was read a second time and com mitted. Progress was reported, wifch leave to sit /again. -water SUTPIiY por the plains. 'The Hon. Col. Bbett moved — That a .respectful addreßß bo presented to his Honor ■the Superintendent requesting him to place onthe Supplementary Estimates the sumof .£IO,OOO, to provide a water supply for the Plains between tho Malvern Hills and Bealey's vi-oad, an accordance, as nearly as practicable, -with plans laid on fche table of thiß Houße at Its last session. Hon. 