move the first reading of "Constabulary Force Bill."

The motion for the suspending of standing orders agreed to.

On the motion of the Attorney-General the "Constabulary Force Bill" read a first time.

The Attorney-General gave notice that on Friday next, he should move the second reading of this bill.

Dr. Monro moved—

That a select committee be appointed to report upon the expediency of repealing the ‘Dog Nuisance Ordinance,’ now in force, and to recommend to the Council the mode of legislation which may appear to it best calculated to meet the evils arising from the great number of dogs in this Province.

Such Committee to consist of—

The Hon. the Colonial Secretary,
" " Attorney-General,
" " Colonial Treasurer,
" Alfred Ludlam,
" David Munro.

Motion agreed to.

On the motion of Mr. Hickson, Council adjourned at 5 o’clock p.m., until to-morrow, Tuesday, at 2 o’clock.

TUESDAY, MAY 22, 1849.

Present—

His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and all the members, excepting the Hon. Dillon Bell.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed.

Mr. Bannatyne brought forward Mr. Watkin’s petition for the consideration of Council.

Dr. Greenwood moved, seconded by Mr. Seymour,—

That this Council do receive no petition for any sum of money relating to the public service, but what shall come recommended from the Lieutenant-Governor and the Executive Council.

Debate ensued.

Motion put and negatived.

Mr. Hickson moved the second reading of "Road Bill," seconded by Mr. Ludlam.

Debate ensued.

Motion put and carried, and the bill read a second time accordingly.

On the motion of Mr. Ludlam, seconded by the Attorney-General, bill committed and title, preamble, and clauses 1 to 10 inclusive, read, amended, and agreed to.

On the motion of Dr. Monro, it was agreed that a select committee be appointed to classify and select such returns as may appear to be of the greatest public interest, and to cause the same to be printed; and that such Committee do consist of—

The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer,
" J. D. Greenwood,
" D. Monro.

On the motion of Mr. Ludlam, Council adjourned at a quarter to 7 o’clock p.m., until to-morrow, Wednesday, the 23rd day of May.

WEDNESDAY, MAY 23, 1849.

Present—

His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor and all the members, excepting the Hon. Dillon Bell.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The minutes of the last meeting read and confirmed.

Mr. Moore presented a memorial from the Committee of the Port Nicholson Mechanics’ Institute, praying "that such a sum of money may be granted out of the public funds of the Province, to the trustees of the Institute, and upon such terms as to the honorable Council may seem fitting."

Memorial read and received.

Mr. Moore gave notice that on Monday next, he should move the further consideration of this memorial.

The Hon. the Colonial Treasurer, Dr. Monro, and Mr. Bannatyne, having waved their respective order of precedence, Mr. Hickson moved that Council do go into Committee on "Road Bill;" motion carried, and remaining clauses from 11th were considered, amended and agreed to, when Council resumed, and the report having been brought up bill recommitted.

Debate ensued, and further consideration of this bill in committee adjourned.

His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor laid on the table the following Extract from a despatch addressed to the Lieutenant-Governor of New Munster, by his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, dated Auckland, April 27th, 1849, in reference to a correspondence between the Local Government and the Acting Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company, which correspondence was laid on the table on the 1st day of May last:—

"In reference to my despatch, No. 13, of the 24th March last, in which I instructed you to bring certain papers before your Legislative Council, requesting them at the same time, to make provision for the expenses which must for the future be incurred in purchasing lands from the natives, I have now to acquaint you that since the date of that despatch a correspondence has passed on the subject between myself and the Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company, the result of which is, that he has paid to the Government the sum of £3800 upon account of the advances it has made for the purchase of the Porirua and Wairau districts, on the understanding that these payments are made subject to the right of the Company to an adjustment of them in proportion to the extent and proportionate value of the lands selected by them out of the whole blocks purchased."

"It has been further arranged that the other various items contained in the statement furnished by the Auditor General of New Munster, of the expenses incurred in purchasing lands for the Company, shall be hereafter adjusted, and the Principal