Proceedings of the Provincial Council

Friday [date not specified]

The Council considered the “Provincial Councils’ Bill.”

• Title, preamble, and clause read and agreed to.
• Bill read a first time accordingly.

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

• Bill read a second time.
• The Attorney General moved that Council do now go into committee on said Bill.

Mr. Merriman moved, and Mr. Kennedy seconded, that the consideration in committee of said Bill be postponed until the opinion of the Colonists be ascertained on the subject.

After discussion, Council divided on Mr. Merriman’s amendment:

• Ayes—three.
• On the question being put on the original motion, Council divided:
  • Noes—three.

Preamble and clauses 1 and 2 read and agreed to.

On the 3rd clause being read, the Attorney General moved that said clause do stand as read.

Mr. Kennedy moved the following amendment, which was seconded by Mr. Merriman:

“It shall be lawful for the Governor or Lieutenant-Governor of the Province, by letters patent, under the great seal of the Province, from time to time, to issue writs for the election of such other persons by the householders of the Province to the members of the said Legislative Council. Provided that the number of Members of the said Council, who shall be so elected, shall always exceed the number who hold any office under the Crown or under the Colonial Government.”

After discussion, Council divided on Mr. Kennedy’s amendment:

• Ayes—three.
• On the question being put on the original motion, Council divided:
  • Noes—three.

Clauses 4 and 5 read and agreed to.

On clause 6 being read, the Attorney General moved that the blanks in the clause be filled up with the words 25 miles and fifty pounds.

• Clause as amended read and agreed to.

Clauses 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15 read and agreed to.

On clause 16 being read, the Attorney General moved that clause do stand as read.

• Mr. Kennedy moved that clause be expunged, but subsequently withdrew his amendment.
• Clause 16 read and agreed to.

Clauses from 17 to 29 inclusive read and agreed to.

The Attorney General moved the reconsideration of the 1st clause, and that clause be amended by inserting after the word “Provinces” in the 26th line, the following words:

“into which the Islands of New Zealand now are, or may hereafter be divided.”

• Clause as amended read and agreed to.

On motion of the Attorney General, committee on said Bill adjourned.

Mr. Merriman, according to notice, moved that the “Supreme Court Amendment Bill” be read a first time.

• Bill read a first time accordingly.

On motion of Mr. Merriman, bill read a second time and committed.

• Title read and agreed to.

On clause 1 being read, Mr. Merriman moved that clause be amended by striking out the word “Post” in the 2nd and 3rd lines, and by inserting the word “Postal.”

• Clause as amended agreed to.

On clause 2 being read, Mr. Merriman moved that the word “Newspapers” be struck out.

• Agreed to.

The Attorney General moved that clause be further amended by inserting the following words:

“Provided that no rate of Postage shall be imposed under the authority hereof, exceeding the rate of Postage now levied and taken. And that from and after the passing of this Ordinance, no Postage shall be charged or payable for the conveyance or delivery of Newspapers.”

• Clause as amended agreed to.

On clause 2 being read, the Attorney General moved that the blank be filled up by inserting the word “five.”

• Agreed to.

On motion of the Colonial Secretary, further consideration of said Bill in committee adjourned.

The Governor laid on the table a “Bill for the Naturalization of certain Persons in the Colony of New Zealand.”

The Attorney General gave notice that he would move the consideration of the “Naturalization Bill” to-morrow.

The Colonial Secretary gave notice that he would bring up the report on the “Postage Bill” and move the third reading thereof, to-morrow.

Mr. Merriman gave notice that he would bring up the report on the “Supreme Court Amendment Bill” and move the third reading thereof, to-morrow.

Council adjourned until four o’clock, on Saturday, the 18th instant.

Saturday, 18th November, 1848.

Present:

• His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, and Members.

Absent: Mr. Kennedy.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

The Attorney General brought up the report on the “Provincial Councils’ Bill” and moved that it be read a third time.

• Bill read and passed.

The Attorney General, according to notice, moved the consideration of the “Naturalization Bill.”