mentes far surpassed our anticipations,
though from previous hearsay we had
been led to expect that we should wit-
ness a gratifying degree of progress.

14. But the scholastic is not the only
    department of the establishment deserving
    of notice and encomium. The die-
    tetic, and other domestic arrangements
    under the care of the Matron are excel-
    lent; and the farm operations are man-
    aged judiciously by the overseer.

15. Finally, it is with much pleasure
    that we observe from the tenor of the
    scholars’ behaviour is reported to us as
    docile, teachable, and generally obedient.
    It would seem therefore, that the only
    further requirements are, first, a conti-
    nuance of the system now under
    operation; secondly, that the Govern-
    ment bestow the continuance of its
    patronage and pecuniary assistance;
    and, thirdly, that Missionary gentle-
    men; and others, whose residences are
    among the natives on the coast, or
    in the country, use a willing influence in
    endeavouring to uproot any existing
    prejudices, and in persuading them
    to send their boys to, and to allow
    them to remain at, the school. For it
    must be obvious to everyone who has
    given any consideration to the subject,
    that all such establishments as the Grey
    Institution, must under Divine Provi-
    dence, prove a powerful means of civili-
    sation; and tend efficiently to wake good
    British subjects of those so educated, as
    likewise to extend a similar beneficial
    bearing over those with whom they asso-
    ciate, when they return to their homes.

Josiah Flight,
P. Wilson,
Inspectors of Public Schools.

His Excellency then adjourned the
Council at a quarter to four o’clock, p.m.,
to Tuesday, the 4th day of January, at
3 o’clock.

Tuesday, January 4th,
Present —
His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief,
and the Members as on yesterday; with
the exception of his Excellency the Lieut-
entant-Governor.

The Council met pursuant to adjourn-
ment.

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 third reading of “Sup-
reme Court Practitioners’ Ordinance.”

Motion seconded by Col. M’Cleverty
and agreed to.

Ordinance read a third time accord-
ingly, and passed.

His Excellency laid on the table the
following correspondence relating to land,
forming a part of the town site of Akaroa,
and selected by persons in pursuance of
land orders, held by them, from the Can-
terbury Association.

Correspondence relative to land forming
part of the town site of Akaroa, and
selected by persons in pursuance of land
orders from the Canterbury Association.

Wellington, November 18th, 1852.
His Excellency
Sir George Grey, K.C.B.
Governor-in-Chief, &c., &c., &c.

I am compelled to entreat your Excel-
lency’s consideration to the difficult and
distressing circumstances of the following
case:—

I purchased, in England, a land-order
for 50 acres of land from the Canterbury
Association, and came, with a numerous
family, as well as farm servants, to New
Zealand, in September, 1851. In pur-
suance of my land-order, I selected my
50 acres immediately adjoining the town
of Akaroa, and behind a section which
had been bought by Mr. Robinson, as
rural land, in a place which had been
squatted on for many years by parties who
did not profess to have any legal title,
and to which no person in Akaroa knew
that any claim existed.

The land was conveyed to me by the
Association, their Agent personally, as
well as by a clause in the deed, disclaim-
ing all guarantee for the title of the land;
however, as after every possible inquiry
(and having remunerated the squatters,)
hearing of no claim to it, I accepted the
conveyance in satisfaction of my land-
order, and set to work upon the land.

In the year which has elapsed, I have
spent nearly £1000 upon it, as can be
testified to your Excellency (if necessary)
by any person resident at Akaroa; indeed,
your Excellency has personally
seen a great portion of my works in pro-
gress.

My house, a large and expensive one,
is more than half finished, and the mate-
rials of every kind, for its full comple-
tion, are prepared and on the spot.

The greater part of the money has been
spent in clearing bush land, and other
permanent improvements. About six