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in His Honour’s Message No. 12), authorises the outlay of £3000 for this object, on the terms stated in His Honour’s Message.

The Speaker resumed the chair.

Mr. Gilfillan moved the adoption of the resolution, which was agreed to.

Council adjourned at Ten minutes past 4 o’clock, to Saturday, the 11th inst. at 3 o’clock.

SATURDAY, 11th FEBRUARY, 1854.

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 two letters from the Superintendent, relative to a Provincial Seal, which were read.

The Speaker laid on the table a Message from His Honour the Superintendent, respecting Postal communication with the Bay of Islands. Message read.

Mr. Powditch gave notice that at the next sitting of Council, he would move a resolution to the following effect,—"That this Council, contemplating the necessity of an increased internal revenue for local improvements for the year 1855, and subsequent periods, will take into consideration the levying a tax on all lands for which Crown Grants have been issued, but which shall have remained unimproved (some time hereafter to be specified); and that such tax be paid into the Provincial Treasury, quarterly, for local and internal improvements. And in case such tax be not paid according to decree, then that such tax may be enforced, by way of sale, of such portion as shall be necessary to cover the amount thereof, at the termination of each year."

Mr. Williamson gave notice that when the orders of the day should have been gone through, he would move that the Standing Orders be suspended, that he might ask leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Building and Land Society’s Ordinance, Sess. 11, No. 11, and if leave be granted, he would move that the Bill be read a first time this day.

Mr. Williamson presented a Report of the Immigration Committee. Report received and read. Mr. Williamson gave notice that at the next meeting of the Council, he would move that the Report be adopted, and forwarded to His Honour the Superintendent.

Mr. Williamson presented a Report from the Committee on Trusts. Report received and read. Mr. Williamson gave notice that at the next meeting of Council, he would move that the Report be adopted, and forwarded to His Honour the Superintendent.

Mr. Newman, according to notice, moved his resolution relative to the Postal Communication with Waikato and Rangiawhia. Agreed to.

Mr. A. O’Neill, according to notice, moved his resolution relative to the unsold Land in the disrict of Pupuke. Agreed to.

Mr. Derrom, according to notice, moved the third reading of the City Building Bill. Bill read a third time and passed.

Mr. Williamson, according to notice, moved the suspension of the Standing Rules, and asked leave to bring in a Bill to amend the Building and Land Society’s Ordinance, Sess. 11, No. 11. Leave granted. Mr. Williamson then moved that the Bill be read a first time. Bill read a first time accordingly, and on further motion of Mr. Williamson, it was ordered that the Bill be read a second time, and considered in Committee, on Tuesday, the 14th inst.

Council adjourned at 10 minutes to 4 o’clock, until 3 o’clock on Tuesday, the 14th inst.

TUESDAY, 14th FEBRUARY, 1854.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr. Williamson presented a further Report from the Committee on Trusts. Report read.

The Speaker laid on the table Minute No. 66, from His Honour the Superintendent, relative to the employment of the military on the Kyber Pass Road.

Mr. Powditch gave notice that, at the next sitting of Council, he would move that Minute No. 66 be taken into consideration; and, that the Superintendent be requested to move the Officer commanding the Troops to allow the military to be employed on the Kyber Pass Road.

Mr. Powditch, according to notice, moved the consideration of his resolution relative to a tax upon uncultivated lands. Agreed to.

Mr. Williamson moved that the Immigration Committee’s Report be adopted, and transmitted to His Honour the Superintendent. Agreed to.

Mr. Williamson moved that the Trusts Committee’s Original and Supplementary Report be adopted and transmitted to His Honour the Superintendent. Agreed to.

Mr. Williamson, according to notice, moved the second reading of the Building and Land Societies Ordinance Amendment Bill. Bill read a second time accordingly. On motion of Mr. Williamson Council resolved itself into a Committee of the whole. The Speaker left the Chair. Mr. J. O’Neill took the Chair. Clauses 1, 2, and 3 Preamble and Title read and agreed to. The Speaker resumed the Chair. The Chairman presented the Bill as agreed to, which was adopted, and ordered to be read a third time on Thursday the 16th inst.

Council adjourned at 20 minutes to 4 o’clock until 3 o’clock on Thursday, the 16th instant.

THURSDAY, 16th FEBRUARY, 1854.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Speaker took the Chair.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr. Williamson presented a Report from