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Rejoicing with your Honour that our duties should commence under circumstances so favourable, we beg to assure your Honour that we shall be prepared to give due consideration to the suggestions embodied in the address, and that we shall, at all times, be ready to co-operate with your Honour in the carrying out of such measures as shall tend to promote the lasting prosperity and welfare of the Province of Auckland.

Mr. O’Brien brought forward the motion of which he had given notice, adding that G. M. Manners Mitford, Esquire, be appointed Clerk of Council. A letter from Mr. Coates, offering himself as a candidate, was read. Debate ensued. Mr. Connell moved that Mr. Coates be requested, with the concurrence of the General Government, to act temporarily as Clerk.

Mr. Busby, according to notice, moved the appointment of a Committee to prepare a Petition, praying that the Northern Province might be constituted a separate Province. Agreed to.

Mr. Boylan, according to notice, moved the appointment of the Committee to report upon the Sewerage and Drainage of the City. Agreed to.

Mr. Brennan, according to notice, moved the appointment of the Committee to report on the state of the Roads in the interior, but subsequently withdrew his motion.

Mr. J. O’Neill, according to notice, moved the appointment of the Committee, praying that the Revenue of the Province might be relieved from the payment of any portion of the New Zealand Company’s Debt. Agreed to.

Mr. Porter and Mr. Clarke respectively postponed the consideration of their motions until Tuesday, the 25th instant.

Mr. Gilfillan, according to notice, brought in the Bill to interpret the acts of the Council. Bill read a first time, and ordered to be printed.

Mr. Porter gave notice that, on Tuesday, the 25th instant, he would move for a Committee to enquire into the state of the Slaughter House at Newmarket, and report upon the same, and that the following members be such Committee: Mr. Connell, Mr. Bain, Mr. Gilfillan, Mr. Newman, and Mr. Porter.

Mr. Bain gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he would move for leave to bring in a Bill for the protection of Foreign Shipping, and the punishment of Foreign Seamen for desertion and other misconduct.

Mr. Allan O’Neill gave notice that, at the next meeting of Council, he would move that the following members be a Committee to consider and report on the best means of opening up the Northern District by two Roads, one leading to the Kaipara, and other in the direction of the Bay of Islands,

viz., Mr. Busby, Mr. Clarke, Mr. Dignan, Mr. Donovan, Mr. Powditch, Mr. Hill, and Mr. A. O’Neill.

Mr. Williamson gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he would move that, with a view of completing the Road between Auckland and the beach at Onehunga, a Committee be appointed, composed of the following members, to enquire and report to the Council on the state of the Road so far as it has been formed, on the most suitable line to be constructed in continuation from Epsom to the Onehunga terminus, and on the probable expense of the work, viz. Mr. Taylor, Mr. Dilworth, Mr. Boylan, Mr. A. O’Neill, Mr. Bain, and Mr. Williamson.

Mr. Connell gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he would move that a Committee of five be appointed, consisting of the following members, to enquire and report whether suitable material for Road-making is to be found in the vicinity of Auckland in a state fit for immediate use, and, if so, to suggest means of rendering the same available, viz. Mr. Gilfillan, Mr. Bain, Mr. Dignan, Mr. Porter, and Mr. Connell.

Mr. Gilfillan gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he would move the second reading of the Interpretation Bill.

Council adjourned at three o’clock until three o’clock on Tuesday, the 25th instant.

TUESDAY, 25TH OCTOBER 1853.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

Absent:—Mr. Macky.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The minutes of last meeting read and confirmed.

The Speaker laid on the table the reply of His Honor the Superintendent to the address of Council.

Reply read and ordered to be printed.

Superintendent’s Office, Auckland,
20th October, 1853.

GENTLEMEN,— I have received with much pleasure the answer from the Provincial Council to my address of the 18th instant: and again beg to assure the Members of Council, through you, of my desire to co-operate with them in forwarding the interests and prosperity of the Province of Auckland, by every means in my power.

I have the honour to be,

&c., &c., &c.,

R. H. Wynyard,
Superintendent.

To the Speaker and gentlemen forming the Deputation from the Provincial Council.

The Speaker laid on the table a communication from the Superintendent, informing the Council that His Excellency the Governor had consented to Mr. Coates acting temporarily as Clerk of Council.

Mr. J. O’Neill presented a Petition from certain residents in the neighbourhood of Newmarket, praying that the Slaughterhouse might be removed.