He found on the vouchers which he held in his hand a minute of the Auditor-General, stating that, as the expenditure had already been authorised by the Colonial Treasurer and expended, it was not necessary that he should make any remark further than to say that the computations were correct. He was not aware the that Auditor General had made any minute upon the subject until the lion mem ber’s motion appeared on the order paper. It seemed to him to be rather hard that he

should be singled out in these matters, while

members of other Ministries who incurred quite as great an expenditure for travelling allowances escaped without observation. He might take the opportunity of saying in res pect to other travelling allowances which had been constantly spoken of, that lie had neve? drawn more than the usual allowances, excepting on the occa?ion of his visit to England and America, when the House voted £IOOO for that purpose, although the Govern ment had full power to make the allowance without any reference to the House whatever. On his trip to Australia he drew no more than the ordinary allowances. Some members might think it desirable that Ministers should defray the cost of travelling out of their own pockets, but he maintained that when engaged on the business of the public the expenses of Ministers should be paid. [After a few further observations, Mr Vogel expressed his willingness to lay the vouchers on the table, but no expression of desire in that direction being made, they were not laid on the table.] It might be a matter of no interest to hon members, but he must be per mitted to add that he had made great personal and pecuniary sacrifices while engaged in the service of the colony during the time he was away from Wellington. STANDING ORDERS. A motion by Mr VOGEL to suspend the Standing Orders during the remainder of the session to permit of bills being passed through all their stages at one sitting fell through in consequence of two-thirds of the members of the House not being present when the ques ion was put. PETITION OP MR SCHAW. ■ Mr J. Kelly brought up the report of the Public Petitions Committee on the Petition of Mr 0. 0. Schaw. 