hundreds on the waste lands of the Crown discussed in committee.

The Attorney General of New Zealand moved that Council resolve itself into a committee to reconsider the 32nd and 33rd clauses of Provincial Councils Bill.

These clauses amended and agreed to, and on the motion of the Attorney General of New Zealand Council resumed. Report brought up and adopted.

His Excellency laid on the table Blue book containing further papers relating to the affairs of New Zealand, 1849-50.

Also a Bill to amend the Crown Lands Ordinance No. 1, Session 10, and to extend the operation thereof to the Province of New Munster, which Bill was ordered to be printed.

Also a Letter from the Agent of the Canterbury Association respecting the arrangement the arrangement of Provinces in New Zealand, which was read.

The Blue book for the Province of New Munster for the year 1850 was also laid upon the table by the Colonial Secretary of that Province.

The Attorney General of New Zealand gave notice that to-morrow he should move Council in committee on Municipal Franchise Bill.

Mr. Dillon Bell gave notice that on Tuesday next he should move the second reading of Building Society’s Bill.

The Colonial Secretary of New Munster gave notice that on Tuesday next he should bring up the report on Census Bill.

Mr. Hickson gave notice that to-morrow he should bring up the report on Customs Bill.

His Excellency then adjourned the Council at a quarter to five o’clock, p.m., to Friday, the 27th day of June at two o’clock.

FRIDAY, JUNE 27.

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 and confirmed.

The Colonial Secretary of New Munster presented and read a petition signed by Henry Green, minister, and others, on behalf of the Primitive Methodists Society of Wellington and its vicinity, addressed to his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief and the Honorable the Legislative Council now assembled, praying that its ministers may enjoy the same privileges of performing the rite of marriage as in the case of ministers of other Christian denominations, as expressed in a certain schedule.

The Colonial Treasurer moved the order of the day for the second reading of Marriage Amendment Bill, seconded by the Attorney General of New Zealand, adopted, and Bill read a second time accordingly.

On the motion of the Colonial Treasurer, seconded by the Attorney General of New Zealand, Council in committee on this Bill.

Title, clauses 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 read, amended, and agreed to, when Council resumed.

On the motion of the Attorney General of New Zealand, Council in committee on Municipal Election Franchise Bill.

Title, preamble, and clause 1 read and agreed to, when Council resumed. The report brought up and adopted.

His Excellency laid on the table his reply to a letter from the Agent of the Canterbury Association respecting the arrangement of Provinces in New Zealand.

Reply read, and with letter ordered to be printed.

His Excellency laid on the table copies of all correspondence between her Majesty’s Government and the East India Company on the subject of steam navigation with the Australian colonies. Also return to an order of the Legislative Council on Mr. Cautley’s motion of June the 12th.

Return ordered to be printed.

Also a letter addressed to Sir George Grey, K.C.B., Governor-in-Chief, and signed Algernon Grey Tollemache, stating that gentleman’s arrangements with the late New Zealand Company, and asking for information on the subject of the Land Claimants Bill with reference to the fulfilment of those arrangements.

The Colonial Secretary of New Munster gave notice that on Tuesday next he should move that this Council recommend that the following clause do form part of the Rules and Regulations for depasturing cattle on waste lands:—

Provided always, that in estimating the sufficiency of stock for any sheep run applied for, the Commissioner shall make allowance for natural increase according to the following scale:

for any No. up to 1,000, increase to be allowed for 5 years ...
from 1,000 to 3,000 ... 4 ...
from 3,000 to 5,000 ... 3 ...
10,000 and upwards ... 2 ...

And that in case of any questions arising (in connection with the calculation of increase to be allowed for) as to the proprietorship of stock, division of runs, or of flocks or herds by the same proprietor, distances within which any proprietor is to be considered entitled to the benefits of the allowance aforesaid in respect of different flocks or herds, or as to any mode whatever by which the above regulations may be attempted to be evaded, or the benefits thereof unduly obtained, the Commissioner shall have full power