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the Registration Committee, which was received and read.

Mr. Powditch, according to notice, moved the following resolution relative to the Superintendent’s minute No. 66, which was read and agreed to.

"With reference to His Honour the Superintendent’s Minute No. 66—Resolved That in the opinion of this Council, the employment of the Military would be desirable, and will not interfere injuriously with the labour market of the Colony, the Council therefore beg to tender their thanks to the officer commanding the Troops for the offer conveyed in the Major of Brigade’s letter of the 10th Feb., 1854, which offer they have pleasure in accepting upon the terms expressed in the letter from the officer commanding the Troops, dated 11th Nov. 1853."

Mr. Williamson, according to notice, moved the third reading of the Building and Land Societies Ordinance Amendment Bill. Bill read a third time and passed.

The Speaker appointed Messrs. Gilfillan, Williamson, and Mitchell, to present the Bill to the Superintendent for his assent—and also to inform His Honour that there was no further business before the Council.

The deputation having returned reported that His Honour would shortly be in attendance.

His Honour the Superintendent shortly after entered the Council Chamber and prorogued the Council with the following address.

MR. SPEAKER, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL,—The business of a protracted session having now been brought to a close, I am glad to be enabled to relieve you from the arduous and important duties which so constantly occupied you since its commencement.

The fact that the whole machinery of Government for the Province required to be constructed, and the various wants which the remarkable progress of this district has created, enquired into and provided for, will account at once for the length of the proceedings, and indicate the amount of labour which devolved upon you, and which has been so patiently, carefully, and, as I believe, efficiently performed. On future occasions I trust that the same sacrifice of valuable time will not be demanded, and that those gentlemen who come from a distance will not necessarily be detained from their homes and occupations for so long a period.

I have to thank you for the liberal provision made for the immediate department of the Superintendent, as well as for the other branches of the Provincial service, and hope that the efficiency of the whole will merit the confidence of the public.

Measures are being taken to initiate the different Public Works for which funds have been voted. In the Harbour of Manakau, buoys are being placed in those positions which Commander Drury has pointed out: a flag-staff and semaphore will be shortly erected on Paratutai, and a Pilot station formed at that place. These measures, it is hoped, together with the authorised publication of the chart recently made of the harbour, will tend to remove the impressions which have existed to its prejudice, and by thus placing Auckland in the position of having an available port on its western as well as on its eastern shore, connected, as I hope shortly to see them, by a good road, will set forth its unrivalled maritime advantages, and make manifest the wisdom and skill displayed by its founder, the first esteemed Governor of the colony, in the selection of its site.

The works on the Great South Road and its branches will receive early attention. The high rate of wages and the great difficulty of obtaining labour may possibly, for this season, prevent the public expectations being fulfilled, if the settlers and those immediately interested do not themselves come to the aid of the Government. But every effort will be made, at least to open up the country by means of bridges and causeways, if, from the causes I have mentioned, the regular formation of the roads should be for the present found impracticable.

I have assented with pleasure, on behalf of the Governor to the Dock and Harbour Bill, as well as to the City Council Bill: great powers of usefulness exist in both the Corporations which these Acts have created, and as the money grants which you have made to them are liberal, the people will have a right to expect prompt and energetic action. It is to be hoped that both will prove exceptions to a rule which experience has but too generally established in these colonies—that bodies of this description are not the most efficient conductors of public works.

I shall transmit to the Harbour Committee the report of the Board appointed by me to enquire into the several points connected with the erection of the proposed Steam Wharf, and shall inform them that the money, in such portions as may be necessary, will be immediately at their disposal. I think that accommodation of the kind contemplated, by which despatch will be insured and expense avoided, will be more generally beneficial and have greater effect in encouraging Steam communication with this harbour than any annual subsidy which the financial condition of the Province would enable it to offer.

The public spirit of the citizens, aided by a grant from the Provincial funds, has furnished the means of purchasing for the use of the city several fire engines, thus provided a part of the means requisite for preventing disasters by fire which are imminent in a city like this, in which the greater part of the houses are constructed of wood. To provide an available supply of water in different parts of the city for the service of the engines and for the use of the inhabitants, is an object worthy, I think, of the earliest attention of the City Council, and it will be the duty of the Executive Government to afford every possible aid in accomplishing it.

The important Reports of the Committees on Immigration and Public Trusts have been transmitted to me. I will give the matters treated of my best attention, and endeavour so to arrange them as that the greatest amount of public benefit may be secured.

Before the next session of this Council the General Legislature will have assembled, and the power and authority of the several Provincial Governments will have been defined and established. I shall take care that the opinions of this Council, as expressed in the resolutions adopted by the House on the 2nd February, shall be communicated to the proper authorities, and brought under the notice of the Assembly when the subjects to which they refer are being considered.

I propose, unless an unforeseen necessity shall arise, not again to call you together before the month of October, that being the most convenient time for the arrangement of the public business, and also, as I think, the period when the country gentlemen can most easily spare the time which attendance upon the duties of the Council occupies. I now declare the Council to stand prorogued.

R. H. WYNYARD,
Superintendent.

Auckland, Feb. 16, 1854.

Council adjourned sine die.

J. COATES,
Clerk of Provincial Council.

Printed and Published by Williamson & Wilson, for the Provincial Government.