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25. A letter from the Colonial Secretary, relative to the application for an account of distribution of the Parliamentary Grant to the several Provinces, stating, that as soon as the Returns were received from the Provinces at the General Treasury, the information should be furnished.

26. Minute, forwarding 26 Plans and Sections of the Streets of Auckland.

27. A letter from His Honor, stating that Maps of the Lines of Roads, &c., as applied for by the Council, would be forwarded as soon as they were prepared by the Surveyor-General.

Mr. Boylan presented a petition from certain Carters residing in Auckland and Onehunga, against altering the Onehunga Road. Petition read.

Mr. A. O’Neill presented a petition from certain inhabitants of the North Shore, respecting the establishment of a Ferry Boat. Petition read.

Mr. Hill gave notice that, at the next an address from this Council, requesting that Honor the Superintendent be presented with meeting of Council he would move that His he will take such immediate steps for Buoying off the Manakau Harbour, as are in his power, and circumstances will admit of.

Mr. Powditch gave notice that, at the next meeting of Council he would move that it be a standing rule, that all Committees make a report, or report progress once in every three sittings. And that Standing Committees also report, if there be any special matter before them; or if there be not any proposed day of reporting, that it be the last day of sitting in each week, unless in case of reports specially provided for at the time of appointment.

And that at the same time he would also ask the Harbour Committee if they have closed their labours—if they have taken the Harbour Regulations into consideration—if they have taken the Governor’s reply to their request for certain endowments into consideration—if the Board of Works Committee have taken any proceedings—and if they intend to connect the Board for general internal works with the Trust Boards of the Tidal Dock and Harbour. Also, if the Committee of Executive Officers have anything before them, or if their labours are closed. Also if the Road Committee have anything under consideration.

Mr. Connell brought up the Report of the Provincial Officers Committee, which was read, ordered to be printed, and taken into consideration on Tuesday the 22nd November.

Report of Committee on Officers of Provincial Government.

Council Chamber, Auckland,
15th Nov., 1853.

The above Committee brought up the Report of the above Committee, which was read and ordered to be printed.

The terms of the vote by which this Committee has been constituted, open to them a wide range of enquiry, including, in fact, every official duty and appointment in the Province; and it is obvious that, for the complete and satisfactory conduct of an inquiry of such extent, much time would be required.

But having arrived at conclusions upon those points which, in their judgment, demanded their more immediate attention, the Committee have deemed it proper to report thereon for the information of the Council.

These are the number, nature, and adequate remuneration of those offices, the holders of which will be more immediately in contact with the head of the Executive, and will form the staff of his Government; to these, and to such other branches of service as the Committee are enabled to include, without further delay, the present report is confined.

During their inquiry, the Committee have received evidence from heads of departments, and other officers, in the department of the Colonial Secretary, the Colonial Treasurer, and the Auditor-General, as well as in those of the Resident Magistrate, and Commissioner of Police, the Registrar of Deeds, Births, and Marriages, the Harbour Master, and from the Manager of the Union Bank of Australia.

In their enquiries and deliberations the Committee kept prominently before them the following important objects:—

First, the limitation of expense—so far as might be consistent with full efficiency in the different branches of the Public Service.

Second, the most prompt and immediate despatch of the public business.

After most careful consideration, it appears that both these objects may be attained—not by creating offices under the Provincial Government, precisely analogous to those of Colonial Secretary and Colonial Treasurer of New Zealand, but by concentrating the duties of these heads of departments in the office of His Honor the Superintendent, the detail to be conducted by a Chief Clerk or Secretary, by a Financial Clerk and by two or more Junior Clerks.

By such an arrangement, it will be consistent with a wise economy, to grant to these officers liberal salaries according to their respective grades, at the same time that the action of the head of the Executive will be more immediate and direct, being divested of those delays and hindrances of official routine, which seem inseparable from the establishment of other responsible heads of departments within the more immediate circle of the Superintendent’s duties.

The safe custody of the public monies of the Province would, in the opinion of the Committee, be sufficiently secured, and the business of the receipt and disbursement thereof be facilitated, by using the Auckland Branch of the Union Bank of Australia as a Bank of deposit. All collectors of revenue being required at stated periods to pay their collections into the Bank; and all disbursements.