that the Council do now adjourn. Agreed to.

Council adjourned at 20 minutes past seven o’clock.

Wednesday, 23rd 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 laid on the Table the Minutes from His Honor the Superintendent, with their enclosures, on the following subjects, which were severally read.

Minute 41. Transmitting letter from the Colonial Secretary respecting the expenses connected with the various outstationed Resident Magistrates of this Province during the last twelve months.

42. Transmitting letter from the Colonial Secretary on the subject of the Field Books, Plans, &c., of the late Clerk of Works.

43. Minute respecting preparation of Returns of the Revenue and Expenditure of the Colony since its foundation.

44. Transmitting return, showing the number of acres of Land in each Hundred belonging to Government.

Mr. A. O’Neill presented a petition from certain residents on the North Shore respecting the establishment of a Ferry.

Petition read, and ordered to be printed.

To The Honourable The Members Of The Provincial Council Of Auckland, In Council Assembled,

The humble Petition of the undersigned land owners, residents, and others, residing on the North Shore of the River Waitemata,

Sheweth,—

That the means of communication with the City of Auckland has for a long time been difficult and uncertain, and as a Petition is now before the honourable Members in Council assembled, showing the necessity of a Ferry being established, we would wish to receive some share of the proposed benefit by having the Ferry to call at a convenient place, say the Government Shed, which is immediately opposite the City. There is a fine sandy beach where passengers and cattle could be landed at any time of tide: by this means the settlers at this part of the North Shore would have a difficulty removed which has been felt for a long time, and the Ferry could, after calling at the before mentioned place, proceed to its final destination.

Your Petitioners therefore humbly pray that your honourable Council may be pleased to sanction the benefit to us.

And your Memorialists as in duty bound will ever pray.

(Here follow the Signatures.)

Mr. Porter gave notice that, on Tuesday next he would move for leave to bring in a bill to build a Dock and give better Harbour accommodation in the Port of Auckland.

Mr. Gilfillan gave notice that, on Tuesday next he would move that the Dog Nuisance Bill be read a second time.

Mr. J. O’Neill gave notice that, at the next meeting of Council he would move that Rule 5 of the Standing Rules and Orders of this Council be expunged.

Mr. Lewis gave notice that, at the next meeting of Council 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. Clarke gave notice that he would move that the Estimates forwarded by His Honor the Superintendent be laid on the Table as the Estimates of the Province, and that they be taken into consideration on Tuesday next.

Mr. Busby’s petition to the Queen and Parliament, relative to expunging certain ordinances, &c., further considered.

Debate continued.

Mr. Powditch’s amendment, which he had moved on the 9th instant, was then put from the chair.

Council divided.

Ayes 12. | Noes 8.

Mr. Connell, | Mr. Busby,
„ Gilfillan, | „ Dilworth,
„ Bain, | „ Mitchell,
„ Lewis, | „ Dignan,
„ Brennan, | „ A. O’Neill,
„ Powditch, | „ J. O’Neill,
„ Hill, | „ Newman,
„ Williamson, | „ Derrom,
„ Donovan, | „
„ Porter, |
„ Clarke, |
„ O’Brien.

Mr. Boylan declined to vote.

Messrs Macky and Taylor absent.

Amendment carried in the affirmative.

Mr. Newman, according to notice, moved for the Return of all Free Grants of Land in the Province.

Council adjourned at ten minutes to six.

Thursday, 24th 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 laid on the Table the following three Minutes, transmitted to the Council by His Honor the Superintendent, which, with their enclosures, were severally read.

No. 45. Minute transmitting Plans and Reports on the Works connected with the several Roads in the vicinity of Auckland.

46. Transmitting three Tenders for the establishment of the North Shore Ferry.

47. Respecting the alleged correspondence between the Registrar of Deeds and the Government, alluded to in the Resolution of Council of the 9th inst.

Mr. Porter gave notice that on Tuesday the 29th inst., he would move that the Returns be laid before the Council.