The minutes of last meeting read and confirmed.

The hon. the Colonial Treasurer and Captain Smith having waved the order of precedence

The Attorney General of New Zealand moved, agreeable to notice—

That an alteration be made in the Rules of the Council so that it may be no longer necessary for strangers to withdraw, as of course, on divisions of Council or of any Committee thereof.

Motion seconded by Mr. Cautley.

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief stated, that if it were understood that the practice need not be persevered in, which was the opinion of the Council, no rule was then necessary.

Motion consequently withdrawn.

On the motion of the Colonial Treasurer, seconded by Col. M'Cleverty, Hutt Fencing Bill read a second time.

The Attorney General of New Zealand moved, agreeable to his notice of June 12th, the second reading of Provincial Councils Bill, seconded by His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor.

Debate ensued.

Motion put and carried and Bill read a second time accordingly.

Captain Smith having waved the order of precedence

Mr. Cautley moved, seconded by Mr. Hickson—

For any documentary information which may be in the possession of the Government on the subject of any proposal to unite the whole or any part of the Nelson settlement to the Canterbury block, or for any other information on the subject in the possession of the Executive Government which they may be able to afford.

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, in reply, afforded, so far as the Government had it in its power, the information required.

The Attorney General of New Zealand gave notice that on Tuesday next he should move that Council do go into Committee on Provincial Councils Bill.

Captain Smith gave notice that to-morrow he should move further consideration, in Committee, of Land Claimants Bill.

His Excellency then adjourned the Council at 5 o'clock, p.m., to Thursday the 19th day of June, at 2 o'clock.

THURSDAY, JUNE 19.

Present—

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief.

His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor, and the Members as on yesterday.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment. The Rev. the Colonial Chaplain read prayers.

The minutes of the last meeting read amended and confirmed.

The Colonial Secretary of New Munster presented a Letter from the Licensed Victuallers Association, addressed to Sir George Grey, K.C.B., and the General Legislative Council of New Zealand, calling the attention of His Excellency and the Council to certain enactments and the increased duties on spirits.

On the motion of Mr. Hickson, seconded by Mr. Carkeek, Council in Committee on Schedule to Customs Bill, when the insertion of a number of articles in the Schedule with respective duties, which Mr. Carkeek, on Friday last, gave notice of his intention to move, was agreed to.

Mr. Hickson moved, seconded by Mr. Carkeek—

That flour and bread stuffs be admitted duty free without limit as to period of repeal.

Mr. Cautley moved as an amendment, seconded by the Colonial Treasurer—

That this duty be repealed for one year.

Upon a division, for the amendment

The Ayes were 9.

The Noes were 4.

For the motion—

Ayes 6.

Noes 8.

Amendment consequently carried.

The Hon. Mr. Dillon moved that the duty on wines be increased, namely—

On Wines in wood, per gall. 3s.

„ in bottle per dozen 8s.

Motion put and negatived, being

Ayes—

Hon. C. A. Dillon.

„ Collector of Customs.

„ W. O. Cautley.

„ Captain Smith.

Noes.

His Excellency the Lieutenant Governor.

Hon. the Colonial Secretary of New Zealand

„ Colonial Secretary of New Munster

„ The Attorney General of New Zealand

„ „ of New Munster

„ G. Cutfield.

„ W. Hickson.

„ Dillon Bell.

„ The Colonial Treasurer.

„ Col. M'Cleverty.

On the motion of Mr. Cautley Schedule ordered to be reprinted, when Council resumed.

On the motion of Captain Smith Council in Committee on Land Claimants Bill.

Clauses 12, 13, and 20 with schedule read and agreed to, when Council resumed.

On the motion of Mr. Dillon Bell, Building Society’s Bill ordered to be printed.

Mr. Dillon Bell gave notice that on Thursday next, the 26th day of June, he should move the first reading of this Bill.

The Colonial Secretary of New Munster gave notice that on consideration in Com-