SATURDAY, July 13th, 1844.

Auckland Chronicle and New Zealand Colonist, Volume 2, Issue 50, 18 July 1844, Page 3

SATURDAY, July 13th, 1844.

Present all the memhers, After the readiug of the minutes of the last mee t ing, which was confirmed, Dr. Martin moved that the Council should en. quire into the operation of the Post Office Regulations, and that the result of such enquiry be forwarded to the Secretary of State for the Colonies. Ordered—That the said motion be taken into consideration ou Tuesday, the 16th in*d.; that Mr Connell, Mr. Hogg, and Mr. Mathew be requested ' o attend Council ou that day, and that their evj. deuce be taken down in writing by the Cleik o: Council. Mr. Brown presen ed a petition from W. Trusted Merchant, of Hokianga. Ou the motion of the Governor, it was ordered that petition be read and taken into consideration on Tuesday, the 16th instant. The Colonial Secretary moved the Order of the day for the consideration of Dr. Martin’s Reso lu t ton* Mr. Brown according to notice moved the fol lowing resolution in l eu of the resolution propose by Dr. Martin, viz—- * “ 1 hat this Conned deem it unnecessary to occupy ,im e in examining witnesses on the subject referred to in the resolution proposed by Dr. Martin ; the Council being already fully satisfied that the’ present system o- colonization, in particolar the L.'iut Sales Act,’ i* in&pplic ihle to the Colony ; that important modifications are also necessary in Tie present system of pre-emption over the lands of the Aborigines , and that a report should be prey'd embracing the particular views of the Courier ot these subjects, with the reasons upon which t ie same are founded, in order that His Excellency tie Governor may forw rd the same to the Setres tary of State for the Colonies.’'

The Attorney General said that this resolution met with his approval, and if a statement was forwarded to the home government, praying that New Zealand migli be exempted from the land sales Act it would be much better, he thought, than to give any expression of our own feelings, as he thought New Zealand inapplicable to the Act. The Governor said he quite agreed with the learned Attorney Genera). Dr, Martin withdrew his Resolution, Dr. Martin’s Resolution with regard to the Aboriginal Natives, was then read, when the Doctor rose and said it Was his opinion that the natives had been neglected as to the various diseases to -which they were subject from various causes, and wound up by explaining to the Cuunoil various bumps on the heads of the Natives. The Governor said the resolution proposed by Dr. Martin was one of very great importance, and he thought one that required a deal of consideration, and the collection of evidence ; he thought if this information was prepared and laid before the Council in a more condensed view, it might then be primed for general information, but if it was possible to Collect the evidence and prepare the reportjheiore the next meeting of Council; it woud be sent home, and lie would pledge himself that great care would be taken in the collection ol the evidence, and had not Dr. Martin brought the suns ject before the Legislative Council he should have thought it his duty to have brought the matter before the Executive Council, as he considered the subject highly important. Dr. Martin said that course would be highly satisfactory. The Colonial Secretary said he had been very particular in making enquiry as to the peculiar diseases of the Natives, anti found the disease of the lungs to be the most prevalent, and it would cons tinue to be the case so long as they wore blankets. The Attorney Geneia! said if an enquiry was now entered mto we might collect some evidence from persons in < ur immediate neighbourhood, but that would not be satisfactory to these residing at a distance., but so long as they lived on potatoes and low diet they were more subject to disease than if they lived on wheat and more nutritions diet, which lie hoped they would soon do. Mr. Clifford said lie believed the diseases that prevailed was the consequence of their peculiar habits with regard to their food and clothing, it was not attributable to the ■ or their intercourse with Europeans; previous to his leaving England he had heard mneb discussion on this subject. The Colonial Secretary said that if Europeans were to act with the same indiscretion as the natives did. regarding their food and clothing, they would be subject to the same diseases. The Governor said he thought it best to embody this resolution with the others and including it in the report to be laid before the next Session of Council. Agreed to. The “Dog Nuisance Bill” was then read a second time. Mr, Clifford proposed au amendment to the effect that no dog which had a collar with the name of tlie owner engraven thereon, should betaken up Dr. Marlin could Hit see why any exception should bo made as dogs with coliais were likely to harm as well as those without. The Governor said that the object of the Bill was to destroy bad and useless dogs; he agieed with ihe amendment as it would encourage tlie copper trade, (Laughter.) M Clifford’s amendment was put and lost, Clause I read and agreed to. On clause 2 being read Mr. Clifford proposal that all dogs having collars on, should be restored to the owner on payment of ‘2s. 6J. Agreed to. Claase 2 as amended read and agreed to. Clauses 3,4, 5 and 6, read and agreed to. On Clause 4 being read Dr. Martin propped an Amendment which was agreed to. It was the ordered that the biil be engrossed and read a third time on Thursday next, (this day J Claimant’s Estate Biil” was then read *'first time. Jhe “Licensing Amendment Bill ” was read a first time. 1 he Attorney General gave notice of an amendment to the first clause, at tbe second reading, as well as amendments to the second and tliiid clauses. It was ordered that the bill be read a second time on Tuesday next. The Council adjourned to Tuesday July 16t!i.