The Speaker laid on the Table three minutes from His Honor the Superintendent, on the following subjects, which were severally read.

Minute—forwarding list of Scoria Reserves.

Minute 28. Transmitting copy of Colonial Secretary’s letter, respecting the debt due to the New Zealand Company.

Minute 29. Reporting having called for Tenders for repairs of Roads, Streets, &c.

Mr. J. O’Neill presented a letter from the Reporter of the ‘Southern Cross,’ complaining of the conduct of the Acting Clerk of Council. Letter read.

Mr. Allan O’Neill gave notice that on Tuesday next he would move that the Superintendent be requested to solicit as a favour Col. Bolton, R.E., Col. Baddeley, R.E., and the Surveyor-General, to examine the Candidates for the office of Clerk of Works, that a competent person may be chosen to fill that situation.

Mr. Busby gave notice, that at the next meeting of Council he would move a resolution that His Honor the Superintendent be requested to ascertain and communicate to this Council, whether any, and if any, what Officers or Servants of the Government are at this time employed on the Roads or other Public Works—and if so, what are the Salaries or remuneration of such Officers or Servants. Also, whether any, and if any, what amount of expenditure has been made on the Roads or other Public Works during the last twelve months, with particulars of such expenditure to the latest date at which the accounts have been made up.

Mr. Derrom gave notice, that on Thursday next he would move for leave to bring in a Bill to regulate the Lines and Levels of the Streets in the City of Auckland.

Mr. Derrom gave notice that on Thursday next he would move for leave to bring in a Building Act.

Mr. Newman gave notice that, on Wednesday next he would move that His Honor the Superintendent be requested to obtain from the Colonial Secretary, and lay before this Council, a return of all Free Grants of Land in the Province:—the name of Grantee,—the situation and extent of the land,—the purpose for which it was granted, with date of grant—excepting from these returns, land granted in exchange for the land surrendered by the old Land Claimants.

Mr. Lewis gave notice that, on Tuesday next he would move that the following Members be a Committee to enquire into and report upon Mr. Hughes’ complaint against the Acting Clerk of Council, viz., Messrs. Williamson, Powditch, J. O’Neill, Busby, Newman, and Lewis.

Mr. J. O’Neill asked for leave to postpone the motion relative to the address against the payment of the Company’s claim, because of an alleged informality in the notice papers, and gave notice that at the next meeting of Council, he would move that the Petition against the New Zealand Company’s claims be adopted, &c., but subsequently withdrew his notice: and upon motion of Mr. Williamson Council resolved itself into a Committee of the whole, to take into consideration the said Petition.

The Speaker left the chair.

The Council formed themselves into a Committee of the whole for consideration of petition. Mr. Powditch in the chair.

Clauses in petition read, amended, and agreed to.

The Speaker resumed the chair.

The Chairman brought up the report of the Committee, with the several amendments; which was adopted.

Petition ordered to be engrossed, and copies transmitted to the House of Lords, and House of Commons.

Mr. Gilfillan, according to notice, moved that the Interpretation Bill be read a third time. Bill read a third time accordingly.

The Speaker deputed Messrs. Gilfillan, Dignam, Mitchell, Boylan, and Clarke to lay the Bill before His Honor the Superintendent for approval.

Mr. Gilfillan, according to notice, moved that the Dog Nuisance Bill be read a first time. Bill read a first time.

Mr. Gilfillan, according to notice, moved that His Honor the Superintendent be requested to obtain from the Colonial Secretary, printed Returns relative to original Land Claims, laid on the Table of the General Legislative Council by His Excellency Sir George Grey in August, 1849. Agreed to.

Mr. Newman requested permission to amend his notice of motion respecting the Roads, by substituting the following words, “All petitions having reference to Rural Roads presented to Council be referred to the Rural Road Committee.” Agreed to.

Council adjourned at ten minutes past five o’clock.

TUESDAY, 22ND NOVEMBER, 1853.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Speaker took the chair.

The Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The Speaker laid on the Table ten Minutes from His Honor the Superintendent, with their enclosures, on the following subjects, which were severally read.

Minute 30. Forwarding letter from Colonial Secretary respecting the funds for building a new Government House in Auckland.

31. Forwarding communication respecting Lunatic Asylum.

32. Forwarding communication from the Collector of Customs, in reference to that portion of the Motion requiring the value of Goods borne coastwise to the Northern Ports.

33. Transmitting copies of correspondence relative to the location of Troops at the Bay of Islands.

34. Forwarding plan and specification for the construction of a Main Sewer in Queen Street.