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The Pamphlet Collection of Sir Robert Stout: Volume 25

[Draft]. Standing Orders of the Provincial Council Of Otago

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[Draft]. Standing Orders of the Provincial Council Of Otago.

I.—Opening of Proceedings, Election of Speaker, Sittings, &c.

1. In all cases not hereinafter provided

Speaker to decide in cases for which no rule are made.

for, Mr. Speaker shall decide, taking for his Slide the rules, forms, and usages of the House of Commons, as far as the same can be applied to the proceedings of the Provincial Council.
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6. In the event of a division being called

In event of division for election of Speaker or Deputy Speaker.

for upon motion for appointment of Speaker, or Deputy-Speaker, and the Tellers reporting that the "numbers are equal," the Clerk shall order the doors to be unlocked, and take a second division in manner provided by Standing Orders; and shall, if necessary, repeat the process till the Division Lists show a majority either in favor of "Aye" or "No."
7. The member elected shall be conducted

Mr. Speaker elect conducted to the chair

to the Chair by his proposer and seconder, and after having, whilst standing beside the Chair, expressed his acknowledgments for the honor conferred upon him, he shall take his seat in the Chair.
8. The proposer and seconder of the

Deputation to receive His Honor's confirmation of Election.

member so elected shall be a deputation to wait upon the Superintendent for His Honor's confirmation of the election, and shall forthwith act as such.
9. The Election being continued, Mr.

Superintendent introduced.

Speaker shall read the usual prayer. His Honor the Superintendent is then introduced for the purpose of opening the proceedings of the Session, as provided in order No. 14.
10. Should the office of Speaker become

Vacancy in office of Speaker.

vacant during the existence of any Council, the same mode of procedure shall be adopted page 4 in the election of a successor as in the case of first election.

Chairman of Committees may preside in the absence of Mr. Speaker.

11. Whenever the Council shall he informed by the Clerk of the unavoidable absence of Mr. Speaker, the Chairman of Committees shall take the chair for that day only; and, in the event of Mr. Speaker's absence continuing for more than one day, the, Chairman of Committees shall, if the Council think fit and shall order it, take the chair in like manner on any subsequent day during such absence. Should the

Deputy Speaker

Chairman of Committees be also absent, the Council shall forthwith proceed to the election of a Deputy Speaker to act during the remainder of the sitting, or during the absence of Mr. Speaker.

Opening of ordinary Sessions.

12. On the first day of the meeting of any Council subsequent to the first meeting thereof, Mr. Speaker shall take the chair at the hour appointed for such meeting, and after the reading by the Clerk, of the Superintendent's Proclamation convening the Council, shall read the usual form of prayer.

Return of new members.

13. Mr. Speaker shall then intimate the return of new members, if any; and such members, if in attendance, shall thereupon be presented to Mr. Speaker.

His Honor the Superintendent introduced opens proceedings

14. Mr. Speaker shall then direct the Clerk to acquaint His Honor the Superintendent that the Council is prepared to re page 5 ceive him, for the purpose of opening the proceedings of the Session.
15. In the event of anything transpiring

If Superintendent unable to attend, at time appointed.

to interfere with the attendance of His Honor the Superintendent, or his Deputy, at the time appointed for the opening of the Session, on such being intimated to Mr. Speaker, it shall be competent for the Council to order an adjournment until such time as may be deemed expedient or necessary.
16. The Council shall sit from day to day,

Sittings.

except Saturdays and Sundays, during Session, subject to alteration by resolution; and on Wednesdays and Fridays Government business shall have precedence, as provided by Order No. 29.
17. At the first sitting each day the Council

Each sitting to be opened with prayer.

shall be opened with prayer, read by Mr. Speaker; and during the reading of the prayers the doors shall be closed.
18. Mr. Speaker shall take the chair at

Hours of meeting and rising each day.

two o'clock in the afternoon, unless otherwise appointed by the Council; and if after prayers there be not present a quorum (one-third of the members) Mr. Speaker shall adjourn the Council until the

Quorum.

following sitting day at the usual hour; and if at any time after prayers notice be taken, or, on the report of a division by the Tellers, it appear that one-third of the members are page 6 not present, Mr. Speaker shall adjourn the Council without a question first put; and the Council shall rise daily at half-past five p.m., and resume its sittings at seven p.m.

Adjournment for want of quorum.

19. Whenever Mr. Speaker is obliged to adjourn the Council for want of a quorum, the hour at which such adjournment is made, and the names of the members then present, shall be inserted in the Journals of; the Council.

While Council counted members to retain their seats.

20. During the counting of the Council (or Committee of the whole) each member present shall resume his seat, and keep the same till the result of the counting is announced.

Minutes to be read. Presentation of petitions, &c.

21. After prayers, the minutes of the preceding sitting shall be read for confirmation. Thereafter Mr. Speaker shall call for the presentation of Petitions, Notices of Questions, Notices of Motions, Papers and Bills.

Order Paper

22. The Council shall then proceed to consider the business as set down on the Order Paper, Notices of Questions being first called. The answers, or an abstract of the answers given to questions shall be inserted in the Journals.

Council to resume at 5.25 p.m.

23. When the Council is in Committee, at; twenty-five minutes past five p.m. Mr. Speaker shall resume the Chair, and the; page 7 Chairman of the Committee shall report progress, and ask leave to sit again.
24. If all motions shall not have been

Motions not disposed of before half-past five p.m.

disposed of at half-past five o'clock, the consideration thereof shall stand adjourned, and on the Council resuming at seven o'clock p.m., the Orders of the Day shall be taken in rotation; but if there should be no Order of the Day, the consideration of motions may be continued. The consideration of motions may be resumed after the Orders of the Day are disposed of, on motion to that effect being put and agreed to.
25. No notice of motion for the next sitting

When notice of motion to be given.

day shall be received after the Council shall have proceeded to the Orders of the Day, and no notice of motion shall be received for a period extending over more than four sitting days, and all notices for next day's Order Paper shall be given in before nine p.m. A member may give notice for any other member not present.
26. No member shall make any motion

Notice to be given before motion discussed.

initiating a subject for discussion, but in pursuance of notice given at a previous sitting of the Council.
27. It shall be competent, on the presentation

Motions for printing documents, petitions, &c.,

of any document, except a petition to move without notice that it be printed and to appoint a day for its consideration.
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Motions to take precedence of Orders of the Day.

28. Motions shall take precedence of Orders of the Day, except on Government days as hereafter provided, and be moved in the order in which they stand on the Order Paper, and if not so moved, shall be expunged therefrom.

Government day.

29. Unless the Council shall otherwise direct, Orders of the Day for Wednesdays and Fridays shall be disposed of before the Council proceeds with any motions of which notice shall have been given; and on such days Government Notices of Motions shall take precedence of all others.

Form of motion for information emanating from Superintendent

30. Motions for the production of despatches or other correspondence addressed to the Superintendent, or for any information emanating from the Superintendent, shall be in the form, "That an Address be presented to His Honour the Superintendent," to that effect.

Form of motion for other official information.

31. Motions for the production of Returns or other information from the several departments of the Provincial service shall be in the form,"That there be laid on the table, &c."

Motion or Bill rejected not to be introduced the some session without leave.

32. When a motion or Bill shall have been rejected by the Council, no motion or Bill involving the same argument or matter shalt be brought forward during the same Session without leave.
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33. A motion which-has been by leave of

A motion with drawn may be renewed.

the Council withdrawn may be made again during the same Session on motion upon notice.
34. A Resolution or other vote or older

A resolution may be rescinded.

of the Council may be read over and rescinded on motion upon notice.
35. All Addresses to the Superintendent

Addresses to Superintendent by whom to be presented.

shall be presented by or forwarded through Mr. Speaker, unless otherwise ordered by the Council.
36. All papers and documents laid upon

Papers, &c. laid on the table to be considered public.

the table of the Council shall be considered public (unless otherwise ordered), and may be printed.
37. On a motion made and passed "that

Call of the Council

the Council be called over" on any day therein named, Mr. Speaker shall cause circular letters to be addressed to all the members, requiring their attendance on that day.
38. No order for a call of the Council

Order for the same.

shall be made for any day earlier than fifteen days from the date of such order.
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II.—Rules of Debate, Divisions, Amendments, &c.

Members to address the chair

39. Every member desiring to speak shall rise in his place, uncovered, and address himself to Mr. Speaker, or, in Committee, to the Chairman.

Motions must be seonded.

40. All motions shall be duly seconded before being proposed from the Chair (except in Committee of the whole); and if not so seconded, shall be forthwith dropped, and no entry be made thereof in the Journals.

When read a motion to be deemed in possession of the Council.

41. After a motion shall have been proposed from the Chair, it shall be deemed to be in possession of the Council, and shall not be withdrawn or altered without the unanimous consent of the Council.

Questions of order or privilege to supersede original motion.

42. A motion having been moved and seconded, and the question thereupon proposed from the Chair, any question of order, or any matter of privilege, which may arise, shall supersede the consideration of the original question, and must be first disposed of.

Interruptions.

43. While Mr. Speaker is putting a question, no member shall walk out of, or across the House; nor while a member is speaking, shall any member hold discourse to interrupt him, nor pass between him and the Chair.
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44. Whenever Mr. Speaker rises during a

When Mr Speaker rises Council to be silent.

debate, any member then speaking, or offering to speak, shall sit down, and the Council is to be silent, so that Mr. Speaker may be heard without interruption.
45. A member called to order by Mr.

Call to Order.

Speaker shall sit down, unless permitted to explain.
46. If in consequence of highly disorderly

Member called upon by name after explanation to withdraw.

conduct, Mr. Speaker shall call upon any member by name, such member shall withdraw as soon as he has been heard in explanation; and after such member's withdrawal, the Council shall at once take the case into consideration.
47. In the case of a charge against a

Breach of order by a member: procedure.

member for any breach of the Orders of the Council, or on account of any matter that has arisen in debate, the charge shall be stated, and the question moved before the member accused shall withdraw; he shall then be allowed the opportunity of explaining to the Council the motives of his conduct in the matter alleged against him, and, after having so done, he shall withdraw.
48. Any member may of right require

A member may request that any question under discussion may be read.

the question or matter in discussion to be read for his information at any time during the debate, but not so as to interrupt a member speaking.
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Member not to speak twice on the same question. Exceptions.

49. No member shall speak twice (except in Committees of the whole Council) on the same question, unless in explanation on some material point of his speech on which he had been misrepresented or misunderstood, and without introducing any new matter; but the mover of any question, not being an amendment, shall be allowed the liberty of reply; and after such reply, it shall not be competent to any member to speak to the subject in debate. And it shall be competent to a member, when he seconds a motion or amendment without speaking to it, to address the Council on the subject of such motion or amendment at any subsequent period of the debate.

Questions of privilege-

50. Whenever any matter of privilege arises, it shall immediately be taken into consideration.

Motion "That the Council do now adjourn.

51. In course of a debate upon a question, any member who has not spoken on the original question, may move (except when a member is in possession of the Chair) "That this Council do now adjourn:" but no discussion shall take place on the original question; and if this second question is resolved in the affirmative, the 'original question shall be held to be entirely superseded; and the Council shall immediately adjourn till the next usual hour of commencing a sitting; and if the motion for adjournment be negatived, it shall not be page 13 competent to propose it again without some intermediate proceeding.
52. In like manner, in course of a debate,

Motion "That' the debate be now adjourned"

any member who has not spoken on the original question, may move (except when a member is in possession of the Chair) "That this debate be now adjourned:" but Mr. Speaker shall confine the discussion as nearly as may be to the question of adjournment, and if such motion be carried, its effect will be merely to defer the decision of the Council on the original question; and if the motion for adjournment be negatived, it shall not be competent to propose it again without some intermediate proceeding.
53. When the motion for the adjournment

Resumption of debate.

of a debate has been agreed to, the Council shall forthwith fix a day for the resumption of such debate.
54. The member upon whose motion any

Mover of such motion to be titled to pre-audience

debate shall be adjourned, shall be entitled to pre-audience on the resumption of the debate.
55. A question may be superseded: (1) By

Questions superseded. 1. By adjournment.

the adjournment, of the Council, either on the motion of a member "That this Council do now adjourn;" or, on notice being taken, and it appearing that a quorum is not present: (2) By a motion "That the page 14

2. By considering orders of the day.

Orders of the Day be now considered;" which motion, however, is restricted to days on which Notices have precedence of Orders

3. By previous Question.

of the Day: (3) By the previous question, viz., "That this question be now put," being

4. By Amendment.

proposed and negatived (but this cannot be proposed in Committee); and (4) By amendment.

If previous question resolved in the affirmative.

56. If the previous question ("that this question be now put") be resolved in the affirmative, the original question is to be put forthwith, without any amendment or debate.

Previous Question superseded by adjournment

57. A question for considering the Orders of the Day, and also "the previous question" may be superseded by the adjournment of the Council.

Debates interrupted.

58. The debate upon a question may be

1. Privilege.

interrupted: (1) By a matter of privilege

2. Words of heat.

suddenly arising; (2) By words of heat

3. Points of order.

between members; (3) By questions of order; (4) By a message from the Superintendent;

4. Message.

(5) By a motion for reading an

5. Reading documents.

Act of Parliament, an entry in the Journals or other public document, relevant to the question before the Council.

Complicated questions may be divided.

59. The Council may order a complicated question to be divided.

Question' "put" and again stated.

60. So soon as a debate upon a question is concluded, Mr. Speaker puts the question page 15 to the Council; and if the same should not be heard, will again state it to the Council.
61. A question being put, is resolved

Question determined by majority of voices.

in the affirmative or negative by the majority of voices "Aye," or "No."
62. Mr. Speaker states whether, in his

Mr Speaker states whether ayes or noes have it.

opinion, the "Ayes" or the "Noes" "have it," and unless his opinion is acquiesced in by the minority, the question is determined by a division.
63. Immediately after a call for a division

Procedure on call for division.

the bell shall be rung, and at the expiration of three minutes, denoted by a sand-glass, the doors shall be locked, when Mr. Speaker shall again put the question, and if a division still be insisted on, direct the "Ayes" to go to the right and the "Noes" to the left, and appoint two tellers for each side. If on one of the sides there be not two tellers, Mr. Speaker shall declare the resolution as previously decided on the voices.
64. An entry of every division list shall

Divisions to be entered in journals.

be made by the Clerk in the Journals.
65. In case of an equality of votes, Mr.

Casting vote.

Speaker shall give a casting vote; and any reasons stated by him may, if he so desire and shall order it, be entered in the Journals.
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No member to vote if personally interested.

66. No member shall be entitled to vote upon any question in which he has a direct pecuniary interest, either in the Council or Committee, and the vote of any member so interested will be disallowed.

(Amendments.)

Different forms of amendment.

67. A question having been proposed may be amended: (1) By leaving out certain words only; (2) By leaving out certain words in order to insert or add other words; or (3) By inserting or adding words.

Amendments to be seconded.

68. An amendment proposed but not seconded will not be entertained by the Council (except in Committee), nor entered in the Journals.

Amendments to leave out words.

69. When the proposed amendment is to leave out certain words, Mr. Speaker puts a question, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question," which is resolved by the Council in the affirmative or negative, as the case may be.

Amendment to leave out words and insert, or add others.

70. When the proposed amendment is to leave out certain words, in order to insert or add other words. Mr. Speaker puts a question, "That the words proposed to be left out stand part of the question," which if resolved in the affirmative, disposes of the amendment; but if in the negative, another page 17 question is put, that the words of the amendment be inserted or added instead thereof, which is resolved in the affirmed tive or negative, as the case may be.
71. When the proposed amendment is to

When later part of question has been amended or proposed to be amended.

insert or add certain words, Mr. Speaker puts a question that such words be inserted, or added, which is resolved in the affirmative or negative, as the case may be.
72. No amendment may be proposed in

Amendment to insert or add words.

any part of a question, after a later part has been amended, or has been proposed to be amended, unless a proposed amendment has been by leave of the Council withdrawn.
73. No amendment may be proposed to

No amendment to be made to words already agreed to.

be made to any words which the Council has resolved shall stand part of a question, or shall be inserted in or added to a question, except the addition of other words thereto.
74. A proposed amendment may be, by

Proposed Amendment withdrawn.

leave of the Council, withdrawn.
75. Amendments may be proposed to a

Amendment to proposed amendments.

proposed amendment, whenever it comes to a question whether the Council shall agree to such proposed amendment.
76. When Amendments have been made,

Question as amended put.

the main question, as amended, is put.
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When amendments proposed but not made.

77. When amendments have been proposed, but not made, the question is put as originally proposed.

III.—Messages.

From Superintendent when announced other business tobe suspended.

78. Whenever a message from the Superintendent shall be announced, the business before the Council shall be immediately suspended, and the bearer of the message introduced into the body of the Council to deliver the message to Mr. Speaker.

To be immediately read.

79. Mr. Speaker shall immediately read the message to the Council, and, if necessary, a day shall be fixed for taking the same into consideration.

And members to be uncovered.

80. During the reading of a message from the Superintendent, members shall remain uncovered.

Noeice of proposed reply to be given.

81. When an address is to be moved in reply to a message from the Superintendent notice of the proposed reply shall be given as provided for motions (see 25 and 26).

IV.—Lapsed Questions.

How debates when superseded by counting out, &c. maybe resumed.

82. If a debate on any Motion or Order of the Day be superseded by the Council page 19 being counted out or adjourned, such Motion or Order may be restored to the paper for a future day, on motion upon notice, and then such debate shall be resumed at the point where it was interrupted.
83. If the discussion on any question in a

Procedure if interrupted by motion being carried to "report progress" or "to leave the chair."

Committee of the whole Council be interrupted by a motion being carried "That the Chairman report progress," he shall, on reporting progress, ask leave to sit again; and if the discussion be interrupted by a motion being carried "That the Chairman do now leave the chair," the Council may order the resumption of such Committee on a future day, on motion upon notice; and in either case the discussion of such question shall be resumed at the point where it was so interrupted.
84. All Notices of Motion and Orders of

Motions and orders not called on, how dealt with.

the Day not called on during the day for which they are set down, shall be placed before the Motions and Orders of the Day for the next day on which the Council shall sit, subject to the provisions made in Order No.29.
85. When a debate on any Motion is interrupted

When debate interrupted by adjournment at half-past five.

by the adjournment of the Council at half-past five p.m., then if the Orders of the Day are proceeded with at seven o'clock p.m., such interrupted debate shall, unless otherwise ordered, have precedence of page 20 the Motions for the following day; but such debate may, by leave of the Council, be resumed either on the Council resuming at seven o'clock, or after the Orders of the Day have been disposed of.

V.—Committees of the Whole Council.

Quorum.

86. In Committees of the whole Council, one-third of the members of Council, inclusive of the Chairman, shall be a quorum.

Procedure when not a quorum.

87. If, during the progress of business, notice be taken that there are not present one-third of the members of Council, inclusive of the Chairman, the Chairman shall announce that there is not a quorum present, and immediately leave the Chair; and Mr. Speaker shall resume the Chair for the purpose of adjourning the Council.

Procedure on committee breaking up for want of quorum.

88. When Mr. Speaker shall have resumed the Chair on the breaking up of the Committee owing to the requisite number of members not being present, the Chairman shall inform Mr. Speaker thereof, but make no further report. If the Council be then complete it shall again resolve itself into a Committee of the whole Council; but if not, Mr. Speaker shall forthwith adjourn the Council, and the question under consideration shall lapse.
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VI.—Select Committees.

89. The Rules of the Council shall be

Rules 'to be observed in committee.

observed in a Committee of the whole Council, except the rule limiting the number of times of speaking, and the rule requiring that motions be seconded.
90. At the commencement of every Session,

Sessional committees.

the following Committees are appointed viz.:—House Committee, Printing Committee, and Private Petitions Committee.
91. No Select Committee shall consist of

Number of members.

less than three or of more than seven members, without leave from the Council on motion upon notice.
92. It shall not be compulsory on Mr.

Not compulsory on Speaker to serve on committees.

Speaker to serve on any Select Committee.
93. Any member upon whose motion a

Member proposing committee to be member thereof.

Select Committee shall be appointed shall be one of the Committee without being named.
94. Every notice of motion for the appointment

Notice of motion for select committee to contain names of proposed members.

of a Select Committee shall contain the names of the members proposed by the mover to serve on such Committeef
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Mode of electing select committees.

95. Upon a motion for a Select Committee, any member of the Council may require such Committee (the Council having first decided that a Committee shall be appointed) to be elected by ballot in manner-following. viz.:—Each member shall give in to the Clerk a list of the members proposed by him to serve on such Committee, not exceeding the number originally proposed, exclusive of the mover himself; and if and such list contains a larger number of names it shall be rejected; and the members reported by the Clerk to have the greatest number of votes shall be declared by Mr. Speaker to be, with the mover, the members of such Committee; and in case of two or more members having an equality of votes, Mr, Speaker shall decide by lot which shall serve on such Committee.

Addition,&c. to select commttee, how to be made. Mey sit during adjournment

96. Any notice of motion for discharging, adding, or substituting members of a Select Committee, shall contain the names of such members; and Select Committees shall have leave to sit after any adjournment of the Council, notwithstanding that such adjournment shall be for a longer period than till the next day.

Quorum.

97. In all Select Committees there shall be a quorum unless otherwise provided in the Order of Reference.

Chairman.

98. Every Select Committee, previously page 23 to the commencement of business, shall elect one of its members to be the Chairman, who shall have a deliberative as well as a casting vote.
99. The examination of witnesses before

Mode of examining witnesses.

every Select Committee shall be conducted as follows, viz:—The Chairman shall first put to the witness, in uninterrupted series, all such questions as he may deem essential. The Chairman shall then call upon the other members severally by name in the order of their sitting, to put further questions. All questions and replies, or either, at the discretion of the Committee, shall be reduced to writing and signed by the witness, and the name of every member interrogating a witness shall be prefixed to the question asked.
100. Every Report of a Select Committee

Report.

shall be signed by the Chairman thereof.
101. A list shall be affixed in some conspicuous

Lists of committees to be posted.

place in the Council Chambers, and also in the Lobby, of all members serving on Select Committees.
102. Whenever it may be considered necessary

Power to call for evidence to be asked for

to examine witnesses, special application shall be made to the Council for power to call for papers, persons, and reports, and for leave to report from time to time.
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Chairman to report to Mr. Speaker in cases of special expenditure

103. It shall be incumbent upon the Chairman of each Select Committee to report to Mr. Speaker, for the information of the Council, any case calling for special expenditure for attendance of witnesses, &c., previous to the summoning of such witnesses.

Day to be fixed for reporting.

104. On the appointment of every Committee, a day shall be fixed for reporting the proceedings to the Council, and on or before such day the final report of the Committee shall be brought up, unless further time shall be moved for and granted.

No discussion to be on presenting report

105. Upon the presentation of a report, no discussion shall take place; but the report shall be laid upon the table, and may, on question put and passed, be printed, together with the appendix and reported evidence.

Specific motion on report.

106. If any measure or proceeding be necessary upon the report of a Committee, such measure or proceeding shall be brought under the consideration of the Council by a specific motion, of which notice must be given in the usual manner.

VII.—Petitions.

When to be presented.

107. No petition shall be presented dur- page 25 ing any debate, nor after the Council shall have proceeded to the Orders of the Day.
108. It shall be incumbent upon every

Member presenting to acquaint himself with contents.

member presenting a petition to acquaint himself with the contents thereof, and to ascertain that it does not contain language disrespectful to the Council.
109. Every member presenting a petition

And to affix his namethereto

shall affix his name at the beginning thereof.
110. Every petition shall be in writing,

Form of petitions.

or print, or partly in writing and partly in print, and shall contain, at the end thereof, the prayer of the petitioners, and shall be in the English language.
111. No letters, or affidavits, or other

No documents to be attached thereto.

documents, shall be attached to any petition.
112. No petition shall make reference to

Nor is a petition to contain reference to any debate.

any debate in the Council, or to any intended motion.
113. No petition shall pray directly for a

Nor to pray for grant of money.

grant of public money.
114. Any member presenting a petition

Procedure on presenting a petition.

shall confine himself to a statement of the description and numbers of the petitioners, and of the material allegations contained in page 26 the petition, and to the reading of the prayer thereof. It may be road upon motion without notice, and the only question which shall be entertained on the presemtation of any petition shall be "that the petition be received."

To be received as the petition of the parties signing.

115. AH petitions shall be received only as the petitions of the parties signing the same.

Privatepetitions to stand referred to Private Petitions Committee

116. All private petitions shall stand referred to the Private Petitions Committee, unless otherwise ordered by the Council.

Copies of petitions to be forwarded to Government before presentation.

117. Copies of all petitions making any claim upon the Government, or making any complaint against any Government officer, shall be forwarded to the Government before being presented to the Council.

VIII.—Bills.

Bills, how to be introduced.!

118. Every Bill, except such as are transmitted by the Superintendent in pursuance of the Constitution Act, by message or by members of the Executive Council, shall be introduced either by a motion for leave specifying the title and object of the Bill, or by a motion to appoint a Committee to prepare and bring it in, or by an order of Council on the report of a Committee.
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119. The member having leave to bring

Member having leave to bring in a Bill to prepare it.

in a Bill, shall prepare the draft of such Bill, with the necessary blanks to be filled up in Committee; and shall on an early day, present a fair copy thereof to the Council.
120. No clause shall be inserted in any

Clauses in a Bill not to be foreign to its title.

Bill, which shall be foreign to what the title of such Bill imports; and such matters as have no proper relation to each other shall not be intermixed in one and the same Bill.
121. No perpetual clause shall be inserted

Bills for temporary objects not to include anything perpetual.

in any Bill, the provisions of which are intended to be temporary; and the temporary character of the Bill shall be declared in the title, and the precise duration mentioned in a distinct clause at the end thereof.
122. Immediately oh the presentation of

Motions on presentation of

any Bill a motion shall be made, "That this Bill be now read a first time," which, if agreed to, shall be followed by another motion, "That this Bill be printed."
123. At the first and second reading of

First and second reading.

any Bill, the title only shall be read by the Clerk; and the first reading shall take place without discussion.
124. Every Bill read a first time, and ordered

Bills read a first time to be printed.

to be printed, shall be printed with as page 28 little delay as possible, and two copies shall be provided for each member.

Direction for second leading.

125. After the first reading of a Bill, its second reading shall be made an Order of the Day for some future convenient day.

Question on second reading.

126. On the Order of the Day being read for the second reading of a Bill, the question put shall be, "That this Bill be now read a second time."

Amendments to question for second reading.

127. Amendments may be moved to such question by leaving out "now," and at the end of the question adding "this day three months," or six months, or any other time; or that the Bill be rejected.

Amendments to be relevant.

128. No other amendment may be moved to such question, unless the same be strictly relevant to the Bill.

Bills read a second time to be committed.

129. After a Bill shall have been read a second time, the Council shall resolve itself into Committee for the considertion of it in detail, unless it be deemed expedient by the Council that it be referred to a Select Committee; in which case, a committee for that purpose may be at once appointed with the requisite instructions.

Procedure in Committee.

130. Bills in Committee of the whole Council shall be debated clause by clause, the question being put upon each, "That page 29 this clause stand part of the Bill," or as amended stand part of the Bill, leaving the preamble and title to be last considered.
131. Any additional clauses must be

Additional clauses.

added after the other clauses have been considered.
132. At the close of the proceedings of a

Bills reportee with amendments.

Committee of the whole Council on a Bill, the Chairman shall report the Bill forthwith to the Council, and when amendments have been made thereto, the same shall be received without debate, and a time appointed for taking them into consideration.
133. Amendments merely of a verbal or

Amendments verbal or formal

formal nature may be made on motion in any part of a Bill at any time during its progress through the Council or Committee.
134. Clerical and typographical errors

Correction of errors.

may be corrected in any part of a Bill by the Chairman of Committees.
135. When a Bill shall have been reported

Bill reported without amendment.

without amendment, it may thereupon be read a third time and passed.
136. When a Bill shall have been reported

Bills when reported with amendments may be printed. Notice of motion for third reading Recommitment.

with amendments, it may be ordered to be printed as amended; and notice shall be given of a motion that it be read a third time on a convenient day; and when the page 30 motion shall be made for the Bill being read a third time, it may, on a motion without notice, be re-committed for further amendment; and when again reported with amendments, a day may be fixed on motion without notice, for its being read a third time.

Certificate of Chairman of Committee required before Bill read a third time.

137. Before a Bill shall be read a third time, the Chairman of the Committee shall certify that the amended copy is in accordance with the Bill as reported.

Procedure on third reading.

138. On the third reading of the Bill, Mr. Speaker shall announce that the amended copy has been so certified by the Chairman of Committees, and the title only shall be read, unless on motion, without notice, made and seconded, that the Bill be read at length.

No motion to be made for amendment on third reading: Exception.

139. No alteration or amendment not being merely verbal, shall be made in any Bill on the third reading, the question simply being that the Bill, in its then shape, be read a third time; but the addition of a clause may be made, and if passed, shall be added to the Bill.

What if a clause be proposed to be added.

140. If the clause proposed to be added to the Bill has for its object to impose a pecuniary fine, the Council shall not entertain it with Mr. Speaker in the Chair. In order to fill up the blanks in such case, page 31 the clause must be read twice, and then committed to a Committee of the whole Council; after which, Mr. Speaker shall resume the Chair, the clause shall be reported, read a third time, and passed with the Bill, if approved by the Council.
141. When a Bill shall have been read a

Question "that this Bill do now pass."

third time, it shall be delivered by the Clerk to Mr. Speaker, who shall put the question "That this Bill do now pass."
142. When a Bill shall have passed the

Bill passed, how to be authenticated.

Council, Mr. Speaker shall sign the same, and the Clerk shall forthwith certify the date of its passing at the foot of the Bill.
143. All Bills, when passed, shall be presented

To be presented to the Superintendent. Estimates transmitted by message.

by or forwarded through Mr. Speaker to the Superintendent for assent and transmission to the Governor.

IX.—Committee of Supply.

144. The Estimates of Expenditure for

Committee of Supply.

the service of the Province are transmitted by message from the Superintendent and taken into consideration in Committee of Supply.
145. On the Order of the Day being read

Questions for

for Committee of Supply. Mr. Speaker puts page 32 the question "That T do now leave the Chair," &c.

Omitting or reducing items.

146. When a motion is made in Committee of Supply, to omit or reduce any item of a vote, a question shall be proposed from the Chair for omitting or reducing such item accordingly, and members shall speak to such question only, until it has been disposed of.

Proposed in order of printed Estimates.

147. When several motions are offered, they shall be taken in the order in which the items to which they relate, appear in the printed Estimates.

No motion to be made relating to any prior item.

148. After a question has been proposed from the Chair for omitting or reducing any item, no motion shall be made or debate allowed upon any preceding item.

Question put on the original or reduced vote.

149. Where it has been proposed to omit or reduce items in a vote, the question shall be afterwards put upon the original vote, or upon the reduced vote, as the case may be.

Adoption of resolutions agreed to in Committee.

150. Resolutions of the Committee of Supply reported to the Council are, on motion to that effect, put to the Council for adoption, or may be amended, postponed, recommitted, or disagreed to.
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151. No amendment, whereby the charge

Reported resolutions not to be amended so as to increase charge upon the people.

upon the people will be increased, may be made to any such resolution, unless such charge so increased shall not exceed the charge already existing by virtue of any Act of Parliament or Ordinance of the Council.
152. Motions for Addresses to the Superintendent

Motions for sums to be placed on Estimates to be considered in Committee. To withdraw when requested by Speaker.

requesting that sums be placed on the Estimates are considered in Committee of Supply.

X.—Strangers.

153. On the request of any two members,

Liable to fine & imprisonment for certain acts.

or in his own discretion, Mr. Speaker shall at any time order strangers to withdraw, and such strangers shall immediately withdraw.
154. If any person not being a Member

By absence after call of the Council.

of the Council shall, within the place of assembling of the Council, refuse or neglect to obey the order of Mr. Speaker, or shall otherwise wilfully disturb the Council, such person shall be liable to pay such penalty, not exceeding Twenty Pounds, as shall be imposed by this Council, and in default of payment thereof, shall be liable to be imprisoned in some common gaol, or other convenient place to be named by Mr. page 34 Speaker, for a period (not exceeding one month) to be fixed by this Council, or until such fine be paid.

XI.—Contempt.

By absence after all of Council.

155. Any member not attending in compliance with an order for the call of the Council, without reasonable excuse, shall be held guilty of contempt.

By absence for more than three day 8.

156. No member shall absent himself for more than three days at a time without leave; and any member infringing this order, and not excused, shall be held guilty of contempt.

BY disobedience of orders.

157. Any member who shall wilfully disobey any order of the Council, and any member who shall wilfully and vexatiously interrupt the orderly conduct of the business of the Council, shall be guilty of contempt.

Penalty for contempt.

158. Any member adjudged by the Council for any of the causes hereinbefore mentioned guilty of contempt, shall be fined in a penalty at the discretion of the Council, not exceeding Twenty Pounds; and in default of immediate payment, shall be committed by warrant of Mr. Speaker, to the custody of the Sergeant-at-Arms, or some officer appointed by Mr. Speaker, to detain page 35 the said member in his custody for the period directed by the Council, unless sooner discharged by the order of the Council, or unless the amount of the fine imposed shall be sooner paid.

XII.—Standing Orders.

159. Any Standing Order or Orders of

How Standing Orders may be suspended.

the Council may be suspended on motion duly seconded, made without notice, provided that two-thirds of the members be present, and provided also that two-thirds of those present consent; but notice shall always be given when practicable.
160. No proposal for altering or annulling

Alteration, &c., of Standing Orders.

any Standing Order or Orders of the Council shall be entertained, except when two-thirds of the whole number of members are present, and when notice extending over at least four sitting days has been given.
161. The whole of these Standing Orders

Duration of Standing Orders

shall continue in force only until the expiration of six sitting days after the opening of the first Session of the next Council.
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N.B.—By direction of Mr. Speaker, this draft is forwarded to Members of Council for their consideration previous to the meeting of Council.

Wm. E. Sessions,

Clerk of Council.

Dunedin, New Zealand.

Printed under the Authority of the Provincial Government of Otago, by Coulls and Culling, of Rattray-street, Printers to the Provincial Government for the time being.