121

JOURNAL OF PROCEEDINGS

IN THE

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

(Continued from page 114.)

SATURDAY, 18TH 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 second Petition from a numerous body of the Inhabitants of the Province of New Ulster, relative to the Crown Tiles Bill. Petition received.

Mr. Merriman presented a Petition from certain Stockholders and Graziers of the province of New Ulster, relative to the question of permitting Europeans to lease land from the Natives. Petition read and received and ordered to be printed.

To His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief, and the Honourable Members of the Legislative Council, in Council now assembled.

The Memorial of the undersigned, Stockholders and Graziers of the District of New Ulster,

Most respectfully Sheweth,—

That your Memorialists see with pleasure that the question of permitting Europeans to lease land direct from the native holders has been entertained by your honourable Council.

It being their full belief that any such relaxation of the stringency of the Native Land Purchase Ordinance would afford the most effectual relief to the Stockholders of this Province from the difficulties under which they are labouring, your Memorialists have read with surprise and astonishment statements made in your honourable house, that the Crown Lands alone are sufficient for the pastoral requirements of this Province; your Memorialists being unable to reconcile such assertions, either with the results of their own experience, or with the difficulties with which they themselves have met in obtaining suitable locations for the depasturing of stock.

That such statements, if suffered to remain without comment, are calculated seriously to influence the Council against the introduction of a Squatting Ordinance; and your Memorialists therefore pray, that your Honourable Council will consent to receive evidence at the bar of the House as to the sufficiency or insufficiency of what are now reckoned Crown Lands for depasturing purposes, from such persons as, from their experience and knowledge of the country, may be considered entitled to attention.

Mr. Merriman presented a Petition from the same body, requesting that the Crown Lands Bill be reprinted with the several amendments introduced, before it is read a third time. Petition read and received and ordered to be printed.

To His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief of New Zealand and the Honourable the Members of the General Legislative Council now assembled.

The Memorial of the undersigned Stockholders and Graziers of the Province of New Ulster, Sheweth,

That as the “Crown Lands Bill,” now before your honourable Council, affects so deeply the present holders of stock and the general prosperity of the Colony; and as this Bill has undergone considerable alterations in committee, we would respectfully request your Excellency and honourable Council to have the Bill reprinted with these alterations, and circulated for general information before proceeding to the third reading.

We would further earnestly press upon your Excellency and honourable Council the necessity of hearing evidence before the Council—of stockholders or others competent—as to the extent of the pasturage on the Crown Lands, as want of sufficient information on this subject will be attended with serious loss, both to your memorialists and to the general community. We are led to prefer this request from certain statements made in Council by your Excellency and the Surveyor-General as to the extent of the pasturage on these lands, which are altogether at variance with our own experience.

The Colonial Treasurer moved the further consideration in committee of the Appropriation Bill.

The Governor laid on the table certain Returns moved for by Mr. Merriman and Mr. Barstow on the last day of Council.

On the question being put that the sum of £300 be voted for the salary of the Commissioner of Crown Lands. Mr. Merriman moved as an amendment that the sum of £300 be struck out. Committee divided, for the amendment,

Ayes, 3
Noes, 7

Original motion put and carried. Bill further considered, and, after several amendments introduced, further consideration postponed until Monday, 20th inst.

The Colonial Secretary moved the order of the day for the further consideration in committee of Crown Lands Bill. Bill considered and report brought up, and Bill ordered to be engrossed.

Mr. Merriman gave notice that on Tuesday, 21st inst., he would move for the further consideration in committee of the subject of the introduction of Exiles into this colony.

Mr. Merriman gave notice that on a future day he would move that Council do resolve itself into a committee for the purpose of memorializing the Governor to introduce a measure for settling the Land Claims.

Mr. Barstow moved that the following Return be laid on the table—

“A Return of the amount expended in the purchase of Horses for the Road Department, stating the number bought and price of each, how many are still retained in the Department, accounting for any number deficient.”

Mr. Merriman gave notice that he would, on Monday next, make a more specific motion relative to the Return of Expenses connected with the Pensioners.

Major Matson gave notice that when the Estimates were under further consideration he would move that a sum of £200 be granted for erecting a Market House.

Mr. Merriman gave notice that on Tuesday, the 21st instant, he would bring up the report of the sub-committee relative to the Waste Lands.