This vessel is at present employed upon the marine survey of some of the Northern Ports, being temporarily attached to H.M.S. "Acheron." I propose, however, that the "Albert" should be almost immediately placed upon the Manukau Harbour, and should there be employed in running between the northern and southern shores of that harbour for the transport of passengers and goods, such moderate rates of freight and passage money being charged as would probably suffice to pay at least a considerable portion of the cost of the vessel.

I think that the Council would find that the result of this arrangement would be, that a very large amount of produce from the Waikato and Wairoa Rivers, which is now almost wasted, would find its way into the Auckland market, increasing our internal trade and the commerce of this port, whilst the increased facilities of communication with the interior of the country which would be afforded, would probably lead to the formation of settlements and stations in the interior, and consequently to a much greater development of the resources of the country, and to a greater amalgamation of the Native and European races. Upon the whole, I with great confidence recommend the Council at least to sanction the trial of this experiment for a period of twelve months. I believe that it will be successful, and that at an extremely small cost an advantage will be conferred upon the Province, the full benefits of which it is at present difficult to foresee.

Amongst the items of Miscellaneous Expenditure borne upon the Estimates, there are two to which I am particularly anxious to direct the attention of the Council. The first of these is a charge of £1175 for the maintenance of schools, which amount is, strictly speaking, beyond the control of this Council, being the estimated proportion of one-twentieth of the revenue, which amount is, under the direction of the Governor and Executive Council, applicable to the purposes of education. It was, however, requisite to include this amount upon the Estimates, in order that the Council might see in what manner it was proposed to dispose of the whole revenue of the Colony; and I think the Council will feel with me, that in a country such as this, where the great mass of the native inhabitants are just emerging from a state of barbarism, one of the first and most important duties of a Government is to furnish the most ample and efficient means of education which it is in its power to afford. Indeed, the sum of about £1200, which is borne upon the estimates for this purpose, is manifestly entirely inadequate to attain the objects contemplated; but, I trust that from the land fund, and from other sources available for this purpose, additional sums may be obtained which will enable the Government largely to assist the efforts for the education of the native race, which are now being made with so much zeal, devotion, and success.

The other account borne upon the Miscellaneous Estimates to which I am anxious particularly to direct your attention, is the proposed amount of £1000 as the annual contribution of this Province for the purpose of maintaining a steam communication between certain ports in New Zealand.

Should the proposed vote pass the Council, the Government are prepared to surrender for the same object the sum of about £1800 per annum, at present devoted to the maintenance of the Government Brig; and advertisements shall at once be issued for tenders for the conveyance of mails by Steam-vessels between various ports in New Zealand, the Government simply requiring contracts to be entered into for the delivery of the mails by a steamer of a tonnage agreed on at the specified ports on certain days, it being left to the owners of the vessel or vessels to make such arrangements for the transport of passengers and goods as they may think proper. I trust the Council will lend me their aid in carrying out this plan which I believe will more rapidly promote the development of the resources of New Zealand and the prosperity and welfare of its inhabitants than almost any other proceeding which could be adopted. In fact I think that the establishment of an efficient steam communication of the nature I have described will be the commencement of a new era in this colony, from which the rapid rise of many of its settlements would be dated.

To the amount of the Miscellaneous Estimates will require to be added such sums as the Council may think fit to award to Mr. J. S. Pollock for his losses at Kororareka which are recommended by the Secretary of State to the consideration of the Council. Various papers connected with this subject have by my directions been laid upon the table; and should the Council require any further information thereon, it can, if they desire it, be referred to the Committee.

Plans and Estimates for the erection of a Wharf in Commercial Bay have been laid upon the table.—By the kind permission of Lieut.-Colonel Bolton, these plans and estimates have been completed by the Ordnance Department.—I need not point out to the Council the great advantages and facilities which would be afforded to the commerce of this port, by the erection of a commodious Wharf in Commercial Bay. It may be sufficient to state that the subject has long occupied the serious attention of the Government; that various plans have been prepared and considered; and that of all these plans, that are now submitted to the Council (and which is only a portion of a very extensive plan) has appeared to combine, more than all others, efficiency, convenience, and economy;—yet the estimated expense of constructing a wharf in Commercial Bay upon this incomplete plan amounts to more than ninety nine thousand pounds. It would however be possible, by deferring to a later period the fitting in of a portion of the land recovered from the sea, to avoid for the present the payment of a considerable portion of the estimated cost of these works. Moreover, by the sale of the land so recovered from the sea, Government would probably ultimately realize a sum nearly sufficient to repay the cost of the wharves;—nevertheless it would be requisite in the first instance to incur a very large amount of expense.

I think, however, that the advantages which would result to the commerce of Auckland by the erection of these wharves would be so very great, that they would justify the expenditure of a very large amount of money. I therefore recommend the subject of the early consideration of the Council, who might perhaps adopt resolutions to the effect, that if the Government should find it possible to commence the works, and that the sums available from the land fund and other sources should prove inadequate to the cost, then that if the Executive Government applied any portion of the revenue of the Province to the same purpose, the Council would approve and ratify such a proceeding on the part of the Government.

The Council will observe that the total estimated expenditure for the year 1850—51 is £25,480 4s. 6d., whilst the total Revenue amounts to only £23,560, leaving a deficiency of £1920 4s. 6d. which will be supplied from the Parliamentary Grant should any necessity exist for having recourse to those funds, but should the revenue continue to improve as it has hitherto done, there can be no doubt that, in the year 1850—51, it will amply suffice to defray all the charges which are borne upon the estimate.

G. GREY.

Council Chambers,
August 9, 1849.

The Colonial Treasurer gave notice that he would move the first reading of the Appropriation Bill on Saturday the 11th instant.

The Colonial Treasurer also gave notice that he would present a Petition on Saturday next from several denominations of Christians praying for a modification of the Marriage Ordinance, and also that he would move for all Despatches on the subject of the said Ordinance that have been received from the Secretary of State.

Mr. Merriman gave notice that on Saturday next he would move for the following Returns:—

1st. "Return of the Estimated Receipts and