17

Also, the third reading of "Appropriation Ordinance."

The Attorney-General gave notice that to-morrow, he would move the third reading of Land Registration Amendment and Extension Ordinance.

Captain Smith gave notice that to-morrow he would move "for information on the subject of the Light-house,—as to what steps had been taken towards its erection."

His Excellency then adjourned the Council at half-past 4 o'clock, p.m., to Wednesday, the 29th day of December at 3 o'clock.

Wednesday, December 29th.

PRESENT:—
His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, and the Members as on yesterday.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Reverend the Colonial Chaplain read prayers.

The Minutes of the last Meeting read and confirmed.

The Colonial Secretary moved the order of the day for the first reading of "Naturalization Bill;" seconded by the Attorney-General and agreed to; Bill read a first time accordingly.

On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, seconded by the Attorney-General:

"Appropriation Ordinance" read a third time and passed.

On the motion of the Attorney-General, seconded by Colonel M'Cleverty:

"Land Registration Amendment and Extension Ordinance" read a third time, and passed.

Captain Smith, agreeably to notice, moved, seconded by Mr. Bell:

"For information on the subject of the Light-house."

His Excellency, in reply, stated that the information required should be forthwith supplied.

The Attorney-General gave notice that to-morrow he would move the first reading of "Supreme Court Practitioners' Bill."

The Colonial Secretary gave notice that to-morrow he would move:

The first reading of "Bank Charters Amendment Bill."

Also—

The second reading of "Naturalization Bill."

His Excellency then adjourned the Council at a quarter to 4 o'clock, to Thursday the 30th day of December at 3 o'clock.

Thursday, December 30th.

PRESENT:—
His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, and six Members.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Reverend the Colonial Chaplain read prayers.

The Minutes of the last Meeting read and confirmed.

The Attorney-General moved the order of the day for the first reading of "Supreme Court Practitioners' Bill;" motion seconded by the Colonial Secretary, and agreed to; Bill read a first time accordingly.

On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, seconded by the Attorney-General:

"Bank Charters Amendment Bill" read a first time.

On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, seconded by the Attorney-General:

"Naturalization Bill" read a second time, and committed; when Title, Preamble and clauses 1 and 2, with clause 2 of No. 9, Session XI, read and agreed to.

Also, Schedule annexed to the Bill, read and adopted, as part of this Bill.

On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, Council resumed.

His Excellency, in reply to a question from Captain Smith, relative to the erection of a wharf, laid on the table a report on the subject, which, on the motion of Captain Smith, was ordered to be printed.

Harbour Office, Wellington,

29th December, 1852.

Sir,—Referring to your letter of the 21st inst., No. 1223, and its enclosure, we have the honor to report that we have carefully sounded, and examined the Western shore of Wellington Harbour, the only one suitable for the construction of Wharfs or Jetties, in consequence of the prevailing winds.

We find the whole length of that portion called Lambton Harbour, from the present Custom House to Pipitea Point, extremely shallow close to the shore, the nearest approach to deep water being at Clay Point; but, even there, a depth of 18 feet at low-water spring tides, is not obtained at a less distance than 800 feet from the shore, and immediately after it increases to four and five fathoms.

The shore shelves off gradually from low-water mark to the abovementioned depth, with a soft muddy bottom; this, in our opinion, is the only portion of the