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House might be removed to some other locality.

Mr. Gilfillan gave notice that, on Tuesday next, the 1st November, he would move for leave to bring in a Bill for abating the nuisance caused by dogs in the streets of certain Towns and High-ways in the Province of Auckland.

Mr. Gilfillan gave notice that, on Thursday day, the 27th October, he would move that an address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, respectfully suggesting that he will bring under the notice of His Excellency the Governor the recent detention at New Plymouth of the Auckland Mail, by the Joseph Fletcher, from London, in the hope that His Excellency will direct an enquiry to be instituted into the reason thereof; and, if it should appear needful, to issue such instructions as shall prevent the recurrence of the inconvenience to which the community of this Province were subjected by the delay in the receipt of the mail referred to.

Mr. Williamson gave notice that, on Tuesday next, the 1st November, he would move that with a view to the amendment of so much of the New Zealand Constitution Act, 15 and 16 Victoria, as relates to the powers of the General Assembly, which affect the jurisdiction of the Provincial Councils, and to the New Zealand Company’s debt, this Council do prepare an address to the Governor and the General Assembly of New Zealand, requesting His Excellency and the Honorable House of Representatives, and Legislative Council, to petition Her Majesty and the Imperial Parliament to amend the Constitution Act, so far as it respects those matters; and that a copy of such address be forwarded by this Council, through the Governor to H.M. Principal Secretary of State for the Colonies.

Mr. J. O’Neill gave notice that, at the next meeting of Council, he would move that the Committee appointed to inquire into the subject of drainage, be also empowered to report on the state of the streets and thoroughfares of this city.

Mr. Dilworth gave notice that on Thursday the 27th inst., he would move for a Committee to enquire into and report to this Council upon the best means to prevent the importation of diseased sheep and the spread of existing disease amongst sheep.

Mr. Connell gave notice that, on Tuesday, the 25th instant, he would move that a select committee be appointed to enquire and report to the Council—

1st. What officers are required for carrying on the Provincial Government? 2nd. Having regard to the extent and nature of the duties, what would be appropriate salaries to attach to the respective officers required? 3. What are the duties at present performed by the officers whose salaries have hitherto been paid by the General Government, but are in future to be chargeable to the Provincial Government? 4th. What amount of salaries have been hitherto paid to these officers? 5th.

Whether any alteration in respect of any such officer as to duty, salary, or otherwise, is advisable. The Committee to report any facts and opinions relating to the general subject they may deem advisable, though not called for by the foregoing enquiries, and that the Committee consist of the following members:—Mr. Clarke, Mr. Gilfillan, Mr. Newman, Mr. Boylan, Mr. Dilworth, Mr. Mitchell, and Mr. Connell.

Mr. Powditch gave notice that, at the next meeting of Council, he would move to consider that portion of His Honor’s address relative to the recommendation of Works most necessary to be commenced.

Mr. Busby brought up the Report of the Committee on the Petition to the Queen and Parliament, praying for Provincial separation, which was ordered to be printed.

REPORT.

THE Select Committee appointed “to prepare a Petition to the Queen and both Houses of Parliament, praying that the Province of Auckland may be constituted a Separate Colony with a Governor or Lieutenant-Governor, to be appointed by Her Majesty the Queen, and to be responsible only to Her Majesty through Her Majesty’s constitutional advisers in England,” have prepared the annexed Petition, and have agreed to submit it to the Council, and to recommend it to its unanimous adoption.

JAMES BUSBY,
Chairman.

To THE QUEEN’S MOST EXCELLENT MAJESTY.

May it please your Majesty,

We, Your Majesty’s faithful and dutiful subjects, the Members of the Provincial Council of Auckland, elected under and by authority of Act passed in the fifteenth and sixteenth years of Your Majesty’s Reign, desire to approach Your Majesty with the expression of our unfeigned attachments to Your Majesty’s person and Government.

2. Your Majesty’s Petitioners would humbly represent that the New Zealand Constitution Act which provides for the establishment of a Provincial Council for each of the six colonies which have been planted in the New Zealand Islands by Your Majesty’s subjects, and for a general or central Government and Legislature for the whole, cannot be brought into operation without working great injustice to the Inhabitants of the Province of Auckland, should the Central Legislature be assembled in one of the Southern Provinces, or to the Inhabitants of the Southern Provinces should it be assembled at Auckland.

3. That Auckland was fixed upon as the Seat of Government, and the Capital of the New Zealand Islands by the first Governor appointed by Your Majesty, and that in consideration thereof, the Inhabi-