113

what account and by whom any liabilities may
have been incurred, but subsequently with-
drew it and gave notice that on some future
day he would introduce a more specific motion
on the subject.

2nd. "A Return of the debtor and creditor
account of the Land Fund at the same time."

3rd. "Return of the Strength and Expendi-
ture of the Police Force at Auckland, for the year
1848-49, together with the number of informa-
tions laid for Felony or Misdemeanor, and the
number of convictions consequent thereon."

4th. "Return of Population for the same
period."

5th. "Return of Contract Prices paid for
each article for Provisioning the Native La-
bourers upon the roads during each year; that
they may have been so supplied, showing the
kind of Provisions allowed, its quantity and
price."

The Surveyor-General gave notice that on
Tuesday the 14th instant he would propose
that the Council do address the Governor re-
questing him to introduce a Bill making cer-
tain specified amendments in the Marriage
Ordinance, which will extend to the Presby-
terian and Wesleyan Churches the privileges
now enjoyed by the Churches of England and
Rome.

Mr. Merriman renewed his notices of mo-
tion for certain Returns relative to the Resi-
dent Magistrates’ Courts at Auckland and
Hawick, and also the expenses of the Pension-
ers Villages, until Tuesday, 16th inst.

Council adjourned until two o’clock on
Tuesday, the 14th instant.

TUESDAY, 14TH AUGUST, 1849.

PRESENT:

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief and
nine Members.

ABSENT:

His Excellency Major-General Pitt, K.H.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The Colonial Chaplain was in attendance,
and read prayers.

The Minutes of the last meeting were read
and confirmed.

Mr. Merriman presented a Petition from a
numerous body of the inhabitants of the
Northern District of the Province of New
Ulster relative to the "Crown Titles Bill."

Petition read and received and ordered to
be printed.

To His Excellency Sir George Grey, K.C.B.,
Governor-in-Chief of New Zealand, and the
Legislative Council assembled.

The Petition of the undersigned Inhabitants of the
Province of New Ulster,

Humbly Sheweth,—

That your petitioners are anxious to express their
gratification (a feeling which they believe to be uni-
versal) that a bill, professing for its object the Quieting
of Titles to Land in the Province of New Ulster,
should have been introduced into your Honourable
Council.

That for years past, in fact from the very founda-
tion of the colony, the doubts and uncertainties which
have hung over titles have operated most prejudicially
to the interests of this Province.

That your petitioners express their decided convic-
tion that misgivings as to validity of titles have had
the effect of damping the enterprise of settlers already
here; of deterring others from coming; of discounten-
ancing the investment and employment of capital, and
of locking up the resources of the country more than any
other cause whatsoever.

That, under this conviction, your petitioners na-
turally look upon a liberal and comprehensive settle-
ment of all questions on this important subject as dire-
ly to be desired, and as more calculated to advance the
prosperity of the Province, than any other measure that
could be proposed.

That, without going into the details of the bill (to
some of which many of your petitioners have objec-
tions), your petitioners unanimously desire to express
their concurrence in the principle of Quieting all
Crown Titles, but at the same time they are most de-
sirous of calling the attention of the Council to the
just clause of the bill now before them, wherein it is
proposed to delay the operation of such a measure till
it shall have received the Royal assent.

That your petitioners look upon this clause as cal-
culated in a great degree to neutralise the beneficial
effect which might otherwise ensue from such a mea-
sure, and they cannot but express their fears that,
especially at a time when a neighboring country is
apparently holding out such inducements to settlers,
the most injurious consequences will follow from
leaving the final settlement of this important matter in
abeyance for at least a year to come.

Your petitioners therefore humbly pray that your
Excellency and the Honorable Council will be pleased
to amend the Crown Titles Bill, and pass it in such a
form as will render it, what it professes to be, a final
settlement of all questions affecting the validity of
Crown Titles; and that such settlement may be al-
lowed to come into immediate operation.

And your petitioners will ever pray, &c.

Mr. Merriman, according to notice moved
the consideration of the subject relative
to the introduction of Exiles into this Colo-
ny—a debate thereon ensued.

Mr. Merriman then gave notice that on
Tuesday, the 21st instant he would submit for
the consideration of Council a resolution on
the above subject, founded on the despatch
from the Right Honorable Earl Grey, dated
5th August, 1848.

The Colonial Secretary according to notice
moved the order of the day for further con-
sideration in committee, of the "Crown Lands
Bill." Bill considered and several amend-
ments introduced and further consideration
postponed until Thursday, the 16th instant.

The Governor laid upon the table—

1st. The New Munster Government Gazette
containing the proceedings of the Legislative
Council of that Province.

2nd. The Expenses of the Government schoon-
er "Albert."

3rd. The Expenses of the Government brig
"Victoria."

4th. The Return of Population.

5th. The Return of Contract Prices and ex-
penses for provisioning the road parties.

6th. A Return showing the debtor and credi-
tor account of the Land Fund.

The Colonial Treasurer moved the order of
the day for second reading of "Appropriation
Bill." Bill read a second time and committed.

Preamble and Title read and agreed to, and fur-
ther consideration in committee postponed
until Thursday, the 16th instant.

The Surveyor General moved the considera-
tion of the motion of which he had given notice
relative to a modification of the Marriage
Ordinance. A discussion thereon ensued.

Motion withdrawn.