lsn’t to Europeans, so that large tracts of the country may be opened up.

That your Committee have seen the manifestation of great anxiety—on the part of the general community, especially among the owners of cattle and sheep, concerning an adequate supply of food for their herds and flocks.

That it has been represented to your Committee that, within the last twelve months, numbers of cattle in this district have died of starvation, in consequence of the runs upon which they were depasturing having been overstocked, an error of management which the stockholders allege to have been forced upon them by the difficulties which they have met with in obtaining suitable runs for themselves from the Crown.

That, in compliance with the expression of your Excellency’s wishes, your Committee abstain from bringing into question the sufficiency of the Crown Lands for the purpose required, but, nevertheless, consider it their duty to observe, that the existence of difficulties is sufficiently proved by the fact of heavy losses having been incurred.

That it is their opinion that relief would be most effectually afforded by permitting the Stockholders of the Northern Province to depasture cattle on the Lands of the Natives, on such terms and conditions as may be agreed upon between the Native landowners and the European stockholders, subject to such restrictions as may be required by the interests of both races.

That they are aware of the existence of such a practice in the Southern Province, from which they are not aware that any practical inconvenience has yet been found to arise.

That they believe that such permission will have the effect of opening up the country to Europeans, bringing them into more intimate and friendly connection with the native race.

That the civilization and improvement of the latter, who are willing, as in the Southern Province, to undertake the care of whatever flocks and herds might be committed to their charge—will be much promoted, and that the fertile plains of the interior, far superior to the present sites of European settlement, will be redeemed from idleness, and made to contribute to the general wealth of the country.

That they believe that, by such a measure, all danger of misunderstanding with the native race would be effectually prevented, the natives themselves being willing to act as stock-keepers on their own lands.

That the benefit to be derived from such a measure will accrue to all stockholders from their being enabled to dispense with European servants, and avail themselves of the cheaper services of the natives; but more particularly to that class of settlers who, being in possession of only a small number of cattle, neither require, nor could afford the expense of maintaining an establishment and defined run.

That the serious drain upon the wealth of the Colony, owing to the necessity of importing cattle for the maintenance of our increasing population, is hurtful both to the prosperity and revenue of the Province, diverting money from other channels through which it might contribute directly to the revenue—an evil likely to increase in the same ratio as the population.

That they believe that the rapid increase of cattle, consequent upon such a measure, would have the effect of materially lessening the expense of supplies for the armed force maintained by Her Majesty in New Zealand.

Your Committee would further observe, that it is not in the Stockholders alone, but to the trading portions of the community likewise, that relief would, in their opinion, be afforded; inasmuch as that, by opening up the country, European luxuries will be brought more immediately under notice of the Natives, whose industry would be stimulated by desire to procure the means of enjoying them, to the great increase of the productive wealth of the country, to the corresponding benefit of the mercantile interest, and of the revenue.

That your Committee likewise would beg to submit to your Excellency the expediency of taking measures for giving greater permanency of tenure to the occupation of whaling and other stations, which contribute such an important proportion of the exports of this Colony.

That your Committee beg to bring under your Excellency’s notice the prevalence of an opinion, that a dangerous falling off in the Colonial revenue is to be apprehended, in consequence of the general stagnation of business, and the re-emigration which is at present taking place, and believe that immediate encouragement of what is called the Maori trade, which has always been considered as the mainstay of the town of Auckland, affords the most legitimate means of providing against such a contingency.

Your Committee, therefore, request that, in accordance with your Excellency’s promise contained in a Notice dated 15th June, 1846, and published in the “Government Gazette” of the 16th of that month, a measure may be laid before this Council, having for its object the introduction of a system by which the lands, the property of the Natives, may be brought into the market, under such restrictions as are required by the interests of both races, or that your Excellency will be pleased forthwith to bring into operation regulations with a view to render the Native Lands of this Province available for depasturing purposes by the European Stockholder.

(Signed)

FARX. W. MERRIMAN,
ROBERT GRAHAM BARSTOW,
W. HULME, Lieut.-Col.
HENRY MATSON,
S. KEMPTHORNE.

Mr. Merriman gave notice that on Friday, 24th instant, he would bring under consideration of Council the correspondence between Mr. W. S. Grahame and the Colonial Secretary on the subject of the duties imposed on copper, &c., imported for ship building purposes.

The Governor moved, and the Attorney-General seconded...That Mr. Polack be heard at the bar of the Council in support of the petition from Mr. Edward Meurant of Auckland, praying that some compensation might be granted to his wife for certain lands alleged to have been given as a present to her by her Native relations, but which land had subsequently been taken possession of by Government.

Petition read and received.

Mr. Barstow moved, and Lieut.-Col. Hulme seconded, that the petition be printed.

A discussion ensued thereon. On the question being put, Council divided.

Ayes, 0; noes, 9. Carried against the motion.

Council adjourned until two o’clock pm Friday, 24th August, 1849.

FRIDAY, 24TH 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 being in attendance, read prayers.

The Minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed.

Mr. Barstow presented a petition from Mr. Edward Meurant, of Auckland, praying that some compensation might be granted to his wife for certain lands alleged to have been given as a present to her by her Native relations, but which land had subsequently been taken possession of by Government.

Petition read and received.

Mr. Barstow moved, and Lieut.-Col. Hulme seconded, that the petition be printed.

A discussion ensued thereon. On the question being put, Council divided.

For the motion—Ayes, 4; Noes, 6.

Carried against the motion.

The Attorney-General, according to notice...