The Memorial of the undersigned Purchasers of Land

under Governor Fitz Roy's Proclamation of 10th
October, 1844.
Sheweth,—

That your memorialists, in pursuance of the Pro-
clamation of Governor Fitz Roy of the 10th October,
1844, became purchasers of land from the natives
under certain pre-emption certificates issued by Ge-
vernor Fitz Roy.

That all such purchases were made openly and
fairly, and as your memorialists believe, in a strict
pursuance of, and within the terms of the said Pro-
clamation.

That your memorialists, having completed such
purchases as aforesaid, made the necessary prepa-
rations for the utilisation and occupation of the said
lands, having the fullest confidence in the good faith
and honour of the representatives of the British Crown,
and never suspecting that the acts of one Governor
could be open to legal objections by his successor, the
effect of which has been, in this instance, in a great
measure to stay the industrial operations of your
memorialists, and to disparage all their efforts.

That the terms of their respective titles to the lands so
purchased have now been unsettled for a considerable
period of time, entailing upon your memorialists great
pecuniary loss, keeping their minds in a state of great
uncertainty, and paralysing their efforts to cultivate
the soil.

That your memorialists, within the greatest respect
that such a state of things has retarded agricultural
operations, created discontent in the minds of the
community, and been destructive of the general pros-
perity of the Colony.

In order, therefore, that a question of so much im-
portance to the community as the complete adjustment
of all unsettled claims to land in this Colony may be
effected upon some liberal basis.

Your memorialists pray that your Excellency and
the Honourable the Legislative Council will be pleased
to take the matter into your consideration, and adopt
such measures for the final settlement of the question
as to your Excellency and the Honourable the Legisla-
tive Council may seem meet.

And your memorialists, as in duty bound, will ever
pray.

The Attorney-General according to notice
moved the consideration in committee of the
“Crown Titles Bill.” On the title being read
Mr. Merriman moved that the “Province of
New Ulster” be struck out and the words
“Colony of New Zealand” be inserted in lieu
thereof; but subsequently withdrew his amend-
ment, on perceiving that the sense of the Coun-
cil was against him. Bill considered in com-
mittee, and, after several amendments introduced,
further consideration postponed until Tuesday
the 21st inst.

The Colonial Treasurer moved the further
consideration in committee of the “Appropria-
tion Bill.” In consequence of the Returns
relative to the Road Department not being
prepared, consideration of Bill postponed until
Tuesday, 21st inst.

Mr. Merriman requested permission to
postpone his motion relative to the Return of
the Expenses connected with the Pensioners,
and also the bringing up of the Report of the
sub-committee on Waste Lands, until Tuesday
the 21st inst.

The Governor laid on the table a Return of
officers, men, women, and children belonging
to the corps of Pensioners enrolled for service
in New Zealand. Ordered to be printed.

The Colonial Secretary gave notice that he
would move the first reading of the “Pensions
Bill” on Tuesday, 21st inst.

TUESDAY, 21st August, 1849.

Present:

His Excellency the Governor-in-Chief
and eight members.

Absent:

His Excellency Major-General Pitt, K.H.
Major Matson:

The Council met pursuant to adjournment.
The minutes of the last meeting were read
and confirmed.

The Governor laid on the table these Re-
turns relative to the Road Department, moved
for by Mr. Merriman and Mr. Barnstow.

The Colonial Treasurer moved the further
consideration in committee of the Appropriation
Bill. Bill committed, and, after being amended,
further consideration thereof postponed until
Wednesday, 22nd August.

Mr. Merriman requested permission to
postpone presenting the Report of the sub-commit-
tee on Waste Lands until Wednesday, 22nd
inst.

Mr. Merriman presented the Resolutions
against the introduction of Titles into this
colony, of which he had given notice.

The Attorney-General, according to notice, moved
that Council do resolve itself into a committee
for the purpose of memorializing the Gover-
nor to Introduce a measure for settling the
Land Claims. After some discussion thereon,
Mr. Merriman withdrew his motion.

The Attorney-General moved the order of
the day for the consideration of the Crown
Titles Bill. Bill considered, and, after several
amendments introduced, further consideration
postponed until Wednesday, the 22nd inst.

The Colonial Secretary moved the post-
pone the third reading of the Crown
Lands Bill until Wednesday, the 22nd inst.

The Colonial Secretary moved the first
reading of the Pensions Bill. Bill read
a first-time accordingly. Ordered to be read a
second time on Wednesday, the 22nd inst.

Mr. Merriman, according to notice, moved
that the following Returns be laid on the
table:

1. “A Return of the number of Pension-
   ers and their families who have received money
   in the way of relief from the funds of the
   colony, and the amount so paid.”

2. “A Return of all moneys paid, laid out,
   and expended by the Colonial Government
   from local funds, for or on account of the
   New Zealand Enrolled Pensioners, specifying the
   different heads of expenditure, and distinguish-
   ing the apportionment among.”