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6 o’clock, until 4 o’clock on Friday, the 27th inst.

FRIDAY, JANUARY 27TH, 1854.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The Speaker laid before the Council Message No. 9, transmitting an amendment to the last clause of the Audit Bill, which was read, and on motion of Mr. Porter, it was ordered that Council resolve itself into a Committee of the whole, on Thursday, 2nd February, for consideration of said amendment, and, if adopted, that the Bill be read a third time as amended, and passed.

Mr. Derrom presented a petition from a number of the Inhabitants of Auckland; praying that, in future, it shall be made compulsory on all parties erecting buildings, at least in the principal streets, to erect them of brick or stone. Petition received and read.

Mr. Porter gave notice that on Thursday, the 2nd proximo, he would move for a Select Committee, to consider and report on all the Messages forwarded to this Council by His Honour the Superintendent. The Committee to consist of Messrs. Busby, Dillworth, Gilfillan, Connell, and the Mover.

Mr. Busby gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council, he would move that Mr. Speaker be requested, in the name of this Council, to write to the Speaker of the House of Commons, and to request for the Library of this Council, a Copy of all Parliamentary Reports and Documents which it may be in his power to furnish.

Mr. Hill gave notice that on Thursday next, he would move the following resolutions:—

1st. That in the opinion of this Council, it would be highly conducive to the prosperity of New Zealand, that the powers given by the Constitution Act to the General Assembly, to make Laws for regulating the sale, letting, disposal, and occupation of the Waste Lands of the Crown, should be conferred on the Legislatures of the several Provinces.

2nd. That in the Province of Auckland it would afford great satisfaction to all classes of the Colonists, that this power should be entrusted at the earliest opportunity, to the Provincial Legislature.

Resolved also that the above resolutions be communicated to His Excellency the Governor, or the Officer administering the Government, to the Legislative Council, and to the House of Representatives, at such time as the Speaker shall deem most suitable.

Mr. Connell gave notice that on Thursday next, he would move, that with a view to the harmonious working of the New Constitution, it is very desirable that the powers of the Provincial Councils be enlarged, so as to enable them to legislate finally upon all subjects affecting the local interests of the respective Provinces, and the action of the General Assembly be confined to such matters as affect the interests of these Islands taken as a whole.

That this Council desires to express its full confidence, that the General Assembly will, in its wisdom, and in exercise of the powers vested in them by the 69th clause of the Constitution Act, adopt such measures to amend the Constitution, as may, when approved of by Her Majesty, confer upon the Provincial Legislatures the complete and effectual control of the affairs of their respective Provinces.

That in the opinion of this Council the management of public Lands of the Province, the prices, and terms of sale or lease, and all other matters relating thereto, are local, and not general interests, and, as such, ought to be entrusted to the Provincial legislatures.

That, recognising the late regulations for the sale of Land, as a boon, this Council is of opinion that any legislation tending to raise the price of the public Lands, would be highly injurious to the interests of the Province, and adverse to the earnest wishes of the community.

That these resolutions be communicated, through His Honour the Superintendent, to the Officer administering the Government, with a request that he will be pleased to lay them before the General Assembly.

Mr. Gilfillan gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council, he would move, that in the opinion of this Council, a revision of the New Zealand Tariff (especially as it affects this Province), is necessary, with a view to its being assimilated (so far as is practicable) to the Tariffs of New South Wales, Victoria, and Van Dieman’s Land. And that His Honour the Superintendent be requested to move the Officer administering the Government, to bring this resolution under the consideration of the General Assembly, at such time, and in such mode, as shall to him appear most desirable.

Mr. Derrom gave notice that he would move the second reading of the Building Bill on Thursday next.

Mr. Williamson gave notice that at the next Meeting of Council, he would move that “It being understood that the General Government are disposed to make over to such Trustees as may be proposed by this Council, certain Lands already set apart, and proposed to be set apart, for the following purposes, viz., the Hospital, Grammar School, Washing Grounds, Native Hostelry, Public Cemetery, &c., a Committee be appointed to enquire and report as to whom, and especially on what Trusts, these Lands should be severally and respectively granted.”

Committee, Messrs. Connell, Dignan, J. O’Neill, Boylan, Powditch, Derrom, and the Mover.

Mr. Gilfillan, according to notice, moved...