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tion 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 initiated into the reason thereof, and, if it should appear needful,
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. Agreed to.

Mr. Dilworth, according to notice, moved for a Committee to enquire into and report to the Council, the best means to prevent the importation of diseased sheep, and the spread of existing disease amongst sheep.

Committee Messrs. Porter, Clarke, Donavan, Taylor, Newman, Powditch, Busby, and Dilworth.

Mr. Busby, according to notice, moved that an address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, praying that certain papers be laid upon the Table of the Council. Debate ensued.

Mr. Williamson moved, as an amendment, that clauses 3 and 4 be struck out. Amendment put, and negatived. Original motion put, and carried.

Mr. Gilfillan, according to notice, moved the consideration in Committee of the Interpretation Act.

Seconded by Mr. Bain.

Mr. J. O’Neill moved, and Mr. Mitchell seconded, that the Speaker do take the Chair.

Mr. Williamson moved, as an amendment, and Mr. Connell seconded, that Mr. Porter do take the Chair. Agreed to.

Clauses 1 to 16 agreed to. On clause 17 being read, Mr. Gilfillan moved that, after the word "Treasurer" in the 1st line, the words "or duly appointed Receiver" be inserted. Agreed to. Remaining clauses, Title and Preamble, read, and agreed to.

The Speaker resumed the Chair, and the Chairman brought up the report of the Committee on the Bill.

Mr. Gilfillan gave notice that, on Tuesday next, he would move that the Bill be engrossed, and read a third time on that day.

Mr. Powditch, according to notice, moved that Council consider that portion of the Superintendent’s address relative to appointment of Clerk of Works. Seconded by Mr. Hill. Debate ensued.

Mr. Gilfillan moved, as an amendment, and Mr. Williamson seconded, that the subject be referred to the Committee appointed to enquire into the number, &c., of Public officers that might be required. Agreed to.

Mr. Boylan, according to notice, moved that a deputation do wait upon the Superintendent, requesting that His Honor would have a Bill prepared, and laid before Council, for the better regulation of the City, and for the improvement of its sanitary state. Agreed to.

Mr. Powditch, according to notice, moved that Council take into consideration that portion of His Honor’s address relative to the opinion on the question of a general central authority, and that paragraph mentioning the sum of £1,400 or £1,500 available for Roads and Public Works, and moved that the following resolution be agreed to:

That this Council will proceed in the utmost integrity of purpose in appropriating the funds at their disposal to the immediate and best interests of the Province; and they do so in the hope that the General Assembly will repudiate all right to interfere with the internal government, the revenue, or the lands of any of the Provinces. And also on a faithful reliance that Her Majesty’s Government will free them from all liabilities to expense of any government beyond that of their own Province; and more especially from the unjust burden of the New Zealand Company’s Claim or debt.

Seconded by Mr. Hill. Debate ensued.

Mr. Gilfillan moved as an amendment, and Mr. Connell seconded, that Council do proceed to the orders of the day. Amendment put and negatived. The original motion with the Resolution was then put, and agreed to.

Mr. Williamson, according to notice, moved that Mr. Newman be added to the Onehunga Road Committee. Agreed to.

On the motion of Mr. A. O’Neill, D. Lundon was appointed Messenger to the Council.

Mr. Connell, according to notice, moved that an address be presented to His Honor the Superintendent, requesting that the Council might be furnished with certain printed Books.

Council adjourned at twenty minutes past four o’clock.

TUESDAY, 1st Nov., 1853.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Speaker took the Chair.
The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The Speaker read a communication from His Honor the Superintendent, transmitting Rules 32, 33, and 34, approved and confirmed.

The Speaker laid on the table the following five minutes transmitted to the Council by His Honor the Superintendent:

1. Twelve Circular Despatches received from the Civil Secretary to the General Government.

2. Transmitting Copies of Letters from Messrs. Money, Wigram, and Son, dated 1st Dec., 1852; and from Mr. W. J. Curtis, dated 23rd Feb., 1853.

3. Informing Council that Books and Gazettes required by the Council will be furnished.

4. Transmitting Estimates for the Province.

5. Transmitting application from Mr. Lisle for employment. A Petition from Mr. Wilson and others requesting repair of roads between Howick and Otahuhu, and letter respecting Resident Magistrates Courts.