In reterence to the Mercer volunteer scandal, I learn from the Minister of Defence that nothing further can be done until an inquiry has been made into the charges made against each other by some officers of the corps. Two of them have asked for an inquiry; and by the terms of /the Volunteer Act this request must be granted, and a court of inquiry held in Auck land to investigate the matter,

RULES OF PROCEDURE,

A Standing Orders Committee is to be set up on Tuesday, and it is expected that it will deal with the amended rules of procedure, which are now ready. The cloture, however, will probably be dealt with by a resolution of the Honse.
INCREASING THE COUNTRY QUOTA,

It is intended by the "country" party to in troduce a bill (of which Mr Seymour takes charge) increasing the " nominal addition " (to be used in reckoning the quota in country dis tricts; from 18 to 33 per cent, in case of the Electoral Bill failing to pass.
THE PROPERTY TAX.
