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the people. The people were de- cidedly averse to anything more in that direction, and he might add that the present so-culled Reform Government had distinguished themselves by their desire to take the power out of the hands of the people and centre it in themselves. Mr. CLARKE (Norfolk) said he presumed the object of the proposed Committee was similar to that of the Sanitary Committee of the United States Congress, namely, to elicit such information on would assist tho local Boards in the performance ot their duties. The motion was carried. Mr. LAUDER jocularly hoped that the Bill would not be of that formidable charac- ter which the trip to Washington would involve. Mr. BAXTER suggested that those who looked to Washington sat on the opposite side of the House. (Laughter.) Mr. HAY thought the composition of the Committee might be considerably improved. It was composed entirely of doctors and ltoryertt, and it occurred to him that laymen knew at? much about public health " either 1 doctors or lawyers. (Laughton) In his ' opinion the less they had to do with doctors and lawyers the better. (Laughton) The motion was carried. PRESENTING PETITIONS. Several hon. members presented petitions at this stage, and Mr. Speaker said in future,_ unless there were special rcnSons, petitions had better not be presented out of order. (Hear, hear.) DOMINION STOCK. Mr. LADDER asked whether or not any , of the Dommion stock held by the Province has becxbsold during the your 1877. If any has been sold, what was the amount. there- of, what. rate was obtained, to whom sold, what commission was paid, and through . what broker, or agent, if any. i Mr. WOOD said no Dominion stock had been sold, but Dominion tr per cent. bonds to the extent of £149,900 sterling bad been placed in the hands of Sir John Rose for sale in pursuunce of the statute. THE TEST LIQUOR CASE. Mr. CLARKE (Norfolk) asked if la (leci- sion had been given in the Supreme Court in the test liquor case, Regina T. Severn, as to Provincial or Dominion jurisdiction, and if not, when it might be expected. _ Mr. MOWAT said the decision had not yet been given. The Supreme Court would sit. next Monday, and it was expected that this and other cases would then be disposed of. Mr. CLARKE (Norfolk) moved for a tie. i leet Committee to be appointed with in. structions to amend the tirat and second rules of this House by providing that the time for the ordinary meeting of the House shall be at an earlier hour than three o'clock in the afternoon. He said the question would naturally arise whether there were any precedents for the change. The Swiss Legislature, he might remark, met at nine o'clock in the morning, ', and often earlier. la Great Britain,prior to the time of the Commonwealth, the House of Commons met as early as six o'clock in 1 the morning. (llcar, hear.) In Washing-) ton and most of the States the Legislatures _, met at times varying from nine to eleven in I the forcnoon. The sittings varied in their l duration; the llousés usually sat up to l twelve or one, and then adjourned for a two hours or more, and again sat until an in the evening. lie would' i suggest that the best course for this House 1 to pursue would be as follows i-.-hic,e) at ten l i or eleven and discharge routine business,! and give the Speaker powur to leave the chair until three or four -o'clock in the after- noon, the members in the meantime attend- ing to the Committees. This plan was worthy of consideration as much for econo- mical as sanitary reasons. It would result in tb saving of 830 per day during the ses- sion, which was a very material matter. It would moreover give the messengers, pages. EARLY SITTINGS. The ayes and noes Were taken on the motion, which. was declared lost by the Speaker. Several hon. members demanded adivision, Mr. MOWAT suggested that the motion be withdrawn. lie thought the subject Was a fair one for consideration. If tho House desired to change, the Government would have no objection to try the cxpcri- ment. HON. GENTLE?riEN--0all in the mem- bers. . Mr. CLARKE-I will withdraw the hon. (" Question," " question.") The incinbers who ihen called iry 311(22): motion was lost on the following ' sion..- t l TVM6%r%."""-"'r" od result of early running of the ses- c was at present a oinst tnue---(he'art