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land) is altogether inadapted to the circumstances of
this colony—by reason of an earlier maturity here—
and power of acquiring a subsistence and independence,
and by the absence of that wealth which, to a certain
extent, has given rise to the law in an old country, re-
quiring the consent of parents to the marriage of their
children under the age of 21 years.

4. Such restraint leads directly to immorality, by
   preventing young people from obtaining a legal mar-
   riage and an honorable status in society—thereby
   forcing them into clandestine marriage or dishonorable
   connections. Beside the restraint in question has a
   tendency to produce ill feeling in families by giving a
   legal right to parents to compel that obedience which
   ought to rest upon natural affection and moral suasion
   alone.

Lastly—Because the Legislation, on the subject of
marriage, ought to be based upon such broad and ob-
vious principles of justice and impartiality to all
classes, so as to prevent the necessity of amending the
law at intervals, as other religious sects may spring up
and acquire sufficient influence and power to press their
just claims upon the government.

Independent of the obvious policy of founding all
the laws of this Colony upon such general principles of
justice and impartiality, there is a particular necessity
for doing so in the present circumstances of the colony,
in the anticipation of its being separated, very soon,
into distinct provinces, possessing separate Legislatures
—wherein all laws not based upon such principles of
general application, will be subjected to discussion and
amendment: and as the present measure is liable to the
objections already pointed out, it ought not to be passed,
if it is deemed a matter of any moment to preserve the
same laws in the two provinces.

And I have to request that this Protest may be in-
serted in the minutes of Council, and a copy thereof
forwarded to the Right Honorable the Secretary of
State for the Colonies, for the consideration of Her
Majesty\'s Government.

WM. BROWN,
Member of the Legislative Council.

On the question being put, the bill passed.

Council adjourned at half past 4, until 2
o\'clock on Thursday, 30th inst.

THURSDAY, 30TH SEPTEMBER.

Present—His Excellency, and five members,
absent, Mr. Domett.

Council met pursuant to adjournment.

Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed.

The Attorney General moved the order of
the day for the further consideration in com-
mittee of the ‘Registration Bill.’

Bill further amended, and report brought
up, and adopted.

The Colonial Treasurer moved the order of
the day for the further consideration in com-
mittee of the ‘Debenture Bill.’

Bill considered, and committee adjourned
until Saturday next.

The Attorney General moved the order of
the day for the consideration in committee of
the ‘Fencing Bill.’

Report brought up and adopted.

The Colonial Secretary moved the order of
the day for the further consideration in com-
mittee of the ‘Education Bill.’

Bill further amended, and committee ad-
journed until Saturday next.

The Attorney General gave notice that he
should move the first reading of the ‘Fencing
Bill’ on Saturday next.

The Attorney General also gave notice that
he should move the first reading of the ‘Na-
turalization Bill,’ on Saturday next.

Council adjourned at 4 o\'clock, until 2
o\'clock on Saturday, the 2nd Oct,

SATURDAY, 2ND OCTOBER.

Present—His Excellency and five members,
absent, Mr. Domett.

Council met pursuant to adjournment.

Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed.

The Colonial Treasurer moved the order of
the day for the further consideration in com-
mittee of the ‘Debenture Bill.’

Bill further amended, and committee ad-
journed until Tuesday next.

The Colonial Secretary moved the order of
the day for the further consideration in com-
mittee of the ‘Education Bill.’

Bill further amended, and committee ad-
journed until Tuesday next.

The Attorney General moved the order of
the day for the third reading of the ‘Fencing
Bill.’

Bill read a third time and passed.

The Attorney General also moved the order
of the day for the first reading of the ‘Na-
turalization Bill.’

Bill read a first time, and notice given for
the second reading of the said Bill on Tuesday
next.

The Attorney General also gave notice that
he should move the third reading of the
‘Registration Bill’ on Tuesday next.

Council adjourned at 4, until 2 o\'clock on
Tuesday, 5th instant.

TUESDAY, 5TH OCTOBER.

Present—His Excellency and five members,
absent, Mr. Domett.

Council met pursuant to adjournment.

Minutes of last meeting read and confirmed.

The Colonial Treasurer moved the order of
the day for the further consideration in com-
mittee of the ‘Debenture Bill.’

On motion of the Colonial Treasurer,
schedule appended to the bill, and the said
bill ordered to be reprinted with the amend-
ments.

Committee adjourned until Thursday next.

On motion of the Colonial Secretary,
council in committee on the ‘Education Bill.’

Bill further amended, and report brought
up and adopted, and notice given for the third
reading of the said bill on Thursday next.

The Attorney General moved the order of
the day for the second reading of the ‘Natu-
ralization Bill.’

Bill read a second time.

The Attorney General moved the order of
the day for the third reading of the ‘Regis-
tration Bill.’

Bill read a third time and passed.

The Lieut.-Governor laid on the table a
bill entitled—‘An Ordinance to provide for
the protection of Footpaths in the colony of
New Zealand.’

The Attorney General gave notice that he
should move the first reading of the ‘Footpath
Bill,’ on Thursday next.

Council adjourned at half past 3, until 2
o\'clock on Thursday, 7th instant.

GODFREY J. THOMAS,
Clerk of Council.

Auckland :—Printed by JOHN WILLIAMSON, for the
New Zealand Government.