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Lieutenant-Colonel Hulme gave notice that when Council are in committee on the Estimates he would move that a sum of money be voted to erect a Government House.

Council adjourned until two o'clock on Thursday the 16th inst.

THURSDAY, AUGUST 16, 1849.

Present:
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. Barstow presented a Petition from a numerous body of Residents, at the Tamaki, praying that a Distillation Ordinance be introduced. Petition read and received and ordered to be printed.

To His Excellency, the Governor-in-Chief of New Zealand, and the Honorable the Members of the Legislative Council, in Council assembled.

The Memorial of the Undersigned, Landholders residing on the Tamaki,

Humbly Sheweth—

That, in the opinion of your Memorialists, to allow the distillation of spirits, would be of essential benefit to the Colony, for the following reasons.

1st. In the opinion of your Memorialists it is the duty of the Government to encourage within the Colony the manufacture of such products as may be in demand, and that the colony is adapted for producing as next in importance to an exportable our Colonial being likely supply itself.

2nd. A direct stimulus would be given to the farming interest, by causing a demand for barley and other grain.

Your Memorialists would humbly add that the climate of New Zealand, though admirably adapted for the growth of grain, yet, like the climate of England, is precarious, and as the supply of labour is also precarious there is therefore very considerable risk of grain being sprouted by wet in harvest; and it is well known that wheat sprouted is totally worthless to the baker, though comparatively uninjured to the distiller.

3rd. The natives are now becoming extensive producers of wheat and other grain crops—and if their civilization and progress in industrial pursuits be of consequence—it is surely of importance that they be able to find a market for their produce.

Lastly, in reply to the arguments of those who advocate the total disuse of spirits, your Memorialists would humbly urge, that if people will use spirits they may as well use an article that is bona fide the produce of the Colony as an article that is imported.

Your Memorialists therefore humbly pray that you may be pleased to pass an Ordinance to allow the distillation of spirits in New Zealand, and your Memorialists as in duty bound will ever pray.

Mr. Merriman moved the adjourned debate in the “Crown Titles Bill.” On motion of the Attorney-General it was ordered that Council go into committee on Bill on Monday the 20th inst.

The Colonial Treasurer moved the order of the day for the consideration in committee of “Appropriation Bill.” Bill considered and several amendments introduced, and further consideration postponed until Saturday 18th inst.

Lieut.-Colonel Hulme according to notice, moved that a sum of money be voted to erect Government House. Further consideration postponed to a future day.

The Colonial Secretary moved that the further consideration in committee on “Crown Lands Bill” be adjourned to Saturday 18th inst.

Mr. Merriman according to notice moved for the following Returns—

1. “Return showing the Expenditure incurred in locating the Pensioners at Onehunga, Howick, Panmure and Otahuhu respectively, showing the number of cottages erected and expense thereof; cost of breaking up the acres, the quantity so broken up, the number of cottages now occupied, rate of pay given to the privates and length of time each rate has continued; civil pay to the various officers; number of men that have been in the hospital, and length of confinement with the rates of pay drawn while so in hospital; number of cases of drunkenness brought before the Magistrates; amount of money advanced to Pensioners to purchase stock and furniture, from what fund advanced and how applied, and to what fund ultimately chargeable.”

2. “A Return of all summonses issued from the Resident Magistrate’s Court, at Auckland, between the 1st day of January and the 1st day of July, 1849, showing in how many cases the debt or damage claimed was under 40 shillings; 40 shillings and under £5, exceeding £5 but under £10, exceeding £10. Distinguishing under each head whether of debt where the claim was a simple debt and where not.”

3. “A similar return of the number of cases in which judgments have been given for the plaintiff.”

4. “A Return of the Extra Expenses beyond the pay of the Policemen incurred in serving summonses from the Resident Magistrate’s Court.”

5. “A similar Return from the Resident Magistrate’s Court at Howick.”

6. “A Return of the amount paid from Colonial funds for the transport of Pensioners and their families to this colony.”

7. “A Return of the amount due from the Colony for the transport of the Pensioners and their families to this country.”

8. “A Return of the total number of Pensioners and their families introduced into this colony.”

Mr. Barstow moved for the following Returns—

1. “Return of appropriation of parliamentary grant for the service of New Zealand for the year 1850-51.

2. “Return of strength of Police Force with daily state and distribution at present time.

Council adjourned until 2 o’clock on Saturday 18th inst.

Auckland.—Printed by Williamson and Wilson, for the New Zealand Government.