22

The Speaker resumed the Chair.

The Chairman reported progress, and asked leave to sit again on Thursday the 22nd instant.

Mr. Gilfillan, according to notice, moved the consideration in Committee of the Dog Nuisance Bill.

The Speaker left the Chair. Mr. Clarke took the Chair. Clauses 5 to 21 read, amended, and agreed to.

On motion of Mr. Gilfillan further consideration of Bill postponed.

The Speaker resumed the Chair. The Chairman reported progress and asked leave to sit again on Thursday the 22nd inst.

Mr. Boylan, according to notice, moved the second reading of the City Council Bill. Debate ensued. Mr. O’Brien moved as an amendment, and Mr. J. O’Neill seconded, that the City Council Bill be read this day six months.

Council divided—Ayes 4, Noes 10.

Ayes, Messrs. O’Brien, Busby, A. O’Neill, J. O’Neill.

Noes, Messrs. Clarke, Porter, Newman, Boylan, Williamson, Powditch, Dilworth, Lewis, Derrom, Gilfillan.

Messrs. Hill and Dignan declined voting.

Absent—Messrs. Mitchell, Taylor, Macky, Brennan, Donovan, Bain and Connell.

Amendment negatived.

The following Messages and Minutes from His Honour the Superintendent were received and read.

Message No. 3, transmitting Supplementary Estimates for the year 1854.

Message No. 4, transmitting the draft of a Bill for fixing the Salary of the Superintendent of the Province of Auckland.

Minute 53, Transmitting letter from Harbour Master, relative to the probable contingent expenses of the Harbour Department for the year 1854.

Minute 54, Transmitting copy of letter from the Colonial Secretary, stating that no monies had been paid by the Province of Auckland towards the New Zealand Company’s Debt.

Minute 55, Acknowledging receipt of Minutes of the proceedings of the Provincial Council of the 13th and 15th December.

Debate continued on Mr. Boylan’s motion.

Mr. J. O’Neill moved as a further amendment that the Bill be read a second time this day two months. Amendment put and negatived. Original question put and carried. Bill read a second time.

On motion of Mr. Gilfillan Supplemental Estimates ordered to be printed. And on motion of Mr. Dilworth, Mr. H. Atkins’ letter offering to furnish £250l. in addition to the grant of £500l. towards buoying off the Kaipara, also ordered to be printed.

Mr. Porter, according to notice, moved his notice of motion relative to the address to the Queen. Debate ensued. Question put and negatived.

Mr. Derrom, with the consent of the Council, divided his notice of motion into two parts, and moved that the report of the Committee on Steam Communication be adopted. Agreed to.

On the second portion of the motion being moved, Mr. J. O’Neill moved as an amendment that the same be expunged, and that the following resolution be adopted—“That if the Superintendent should place upon the Estimates the sum of £2000l. for the encouragement of Steam Communication, this Council will be ready to vote the same in accordance with the recommendation of the Report of the Committee.” Agreed to.

Mr. Boylan obtained permission to postpone the notice of motion relative to the adjournment of Council, and moved that the Speaker’s name be erased from his notice of motion, that Mr. O’Brien’s be inserted in lieu thereof, and that Messrs. O’Brien, Derrom, Connell, and the mover, do wait upon the Governor to solicit endowments for the City. Agreed to.

Messrs. Boylan and Dilworth respectively requested permission to postpone the consideration of their notices of motion until next sitting of Council. Agreed to.

Council adjourned at 15 minutes past 7 o’clock.

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 21ST.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The minutes of last meeting were read and confirmed.

The Speaker laid before the Council Minute 56 from His Honour the Superintendent, transmitting letter from the Colonial Secretary, with plans, &c., for the erection of a Government House.

Minute and enclosure read.

Mr. Porter gave notice that at the next meeting of Council he would move that the Speaker be requested to forward with the Petitions for Separation of the Province, copies of the Minutes of this Council, shewing the divisions which have taken place on the subject, the names of the voters on each side, the names of those who did not vote, and the names of those who were absent.

Mr. Williamson gave notice that on tomorrow he would move that the Superintendent be requested to represent to his Excellency the Governor, that it is the wish of this Council that the proportion of the Land Fund of the Province of Auckland, which, according to the terms of His Excellency’s Proclamation of the 4th March last, is applicable to Emigration