6. That I have recommended that the right of voting at elections should be exercised by such European subjects of Her Majesty, as have either a small estate of freehold in possession, in lands or tenements situated within the district for which such vote is to be given, or are householders within such district, occupying a dwelling of a small annual value; and that I have further recommended that the right of voting at such elections should be exercised by such Native subjects of the Queen as are possessed of property, in Government securities, in vessels, or in tenements, within such district for which such vote is to be given, of the clear value of two hundred pounds, or who may be authorised to exercise such vote by a certificate granted to them for that purpose by the Governor-in-Chief.

7. In reference to that portion of the address of the Council, in which they request me to state whether I have it in contemplation to take any immediate steps in conjunction with the Council, to secure the adoption, at the earliest possible period, of the measures which I propose—I have to state that I shall be glad, in conjunction with this Council, to request Her Majesty’s advisers to cause the provisions of such a form of representative government, as I have detailed, to be embodied in an Act of Parliament, to take effect from the period which I have named, or at such earlier date, as may for that purpose be proclaimed by the Governor-in-Chief, if in his opinion the state of the colony would justify him in so doing—but upon this latter point I am anxious not to be considered as holding out any expectations which it may not be in my power to fulfil.

G. Grey.

The Reply, on the motion of Mr. Bell, was then ordered to be printed.

The Colonial Secretary gave notice of the following motion for Tuesday next, the 26th instant:—

That the Council do resolve itself into a Committee of the whole Council, for the purpose of taking into consideration the reply of His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief to the address of the Legislative Council.

The standing orders were further considered, and the rules adopted by the Council.

The Council adjourned at a quarter to five o’clock p.m. to Tuesday the 26th instant at 2 o’clock.

Tuesday, December 26, 1848.

Present—

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief.

His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor, and all the Members.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed.

The Colonial Secretary moved the order of the day,

That this Council do resolve itself into a Committee of the whole Council, to take into consideration the reply of His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief to their Address of the 22nd instant.

Council in Committee.

Committee, on the motion of Mr. Hickson, adopted the following Report:—

The Committee of the whole Council having taken into consideration His Excellency’s reply to their address of the 22nd instant, beg to report that they are of opinion,

That the number of persons summoned by Her Majesty to the Provincial Council, in accordance with the third head of His Excellency’s reply, should never exceed five, that being, in their opinion, a sufficient number of persons to represent the Government in the Legislative Body.

The Committee are not prepared to suggest any further alterations in the plan proposed by His Excellency.

They would recommend the Council to request His Excellency to urge Her Majesty’s advisers to cause the provisions of such a form of Representative Government to be embodied in an Act of Parliament, to take effect at the period named, or at such earlier date as may, for that purpose, be proclaimed by the Governor-in-Chief, the Committee being convinced that it is of the greatest importance to the Islands of New Zealand, that Representative Institutions should be introduced at the earliest practicable date.

The Committee adjourned, and their Report was brought up.

On the motion of the Attorney-General the Council adopted the Report of the Committee.

On the motion of Mr. Hickson the Council adopted the following resolution:—

That this Council has much pleasure in expressing its satisfaction at the exposition, by His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, of his plans for the introduction of Representative Institutions into New Zealand.

The Council adjourned at ten minutes past five, sine die.

H. S. Harrison, Clerk of Council.

Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington, 27th December, 1848.

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief has been pleased to direct the publication of the following Circular upon the subject of the late Earthquakes—which has been addressed to the Government Secretaries of the several Australian Colonies.

By His Excellency’s Command,

Alfred Domett, Colonial Secretary.

(Copy.)

Circular.

Colonial Secretary’s Office, Wellington, 18th December, 1848.

Sir,—I have the honour to address you on a matter, which though somewhat unusual as the subject of official correspondence, you will probably deem of sufficient importance...