Tuesday, August 3rd.

New Zealander, Volume 3, Issue 123, 4 August 1847, Page 3

Tuesday, August 3rd.

Present— -His Excellency (he Governor qnd four Members. Absent — Mr. Donnelly & Mr. Domett. The minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. The council went into commit* tee upon the

Spirits Bill. The Attorney -General proposed amendments to the purport, that it should be brought into force with the assent and concurrence of the principal natives; and, also, that the Governor should be empowered to suspend, and partially modify its operations. And after a few remarks of Mr. Brown, it was agreed that the preamble and amendments be printed, and that the committee stand adjoui ned.

Native Force Bill. The Attorney -General brought up the report of coinuiiltee, which was adopted, and the bill ordered to be read a third time 011 Tuesday next.

Gunpowder Bill. The Colonial Secretary bi ought up the report of committee, which was adopted, and the bill ordered to be read a thud time on Thursday nexr,

Savings' Bank Bill. Mr. Brown in rising to present this bill, expressed his doubt of the policy of Government bringing it forward without affixing any interest on the deposits* He concurred in the principle of the measure, but for the reason stated he entertained an objection. The Governor thought his doubts might be removed* and that in tlte meantime it should be read a iirst time. Mr. Brown still felt that unless interest were: allowed on the deposits, it should not be a Government measure. The Colonial Secretary said that the Government at home interfered with friendly societies' and such like institutions, The Attorney tGeneral said this was not the stage for discussion, and that the Bill should be read a first time. The Governor explained that this measure .partook somewhat of a foreign policy, and he might inform the council that in writing to the Home Government, he had mentioned it as a measure on which he relied for advancing the civilization of the natives. It would benefit them in creating for them a sort of funded property, and procure their adherence to the Government with whom that property was vested. Mr. Brown still felt the objection on the score of want of interest-'-but if the Government had made up their minds—* The Governor rose to state that the Government had not made up their minds on the subject; he begged to 1 state, that he was. not in the habit of consulting the Executive Council, or any one, on the measures he brought before the Legislative Council. He did sometimes consult with the Attorneys General upon the bills Arought in, or he might casually speak of them, but otherwise he advised with no one. With this bill there was nothing pre-determined— it was quite open—he was sure they were all free from bias. The Colonial Secretory said that his opinion had never been askeO, and that he would be glad to hear all that might be said on the question. The Attorney- General would state the history of the bill. A communication had been received from the South, undercover, addressed to' the Attorney -General)

upon this subject, and after some consideration, the bill in his hand was the result. Mr. Brown then moved that the bill be now read a first time, which being done, he gave notice that he would move the second reading on Thursday next. Council adjourned at a quarter to 3 o'clock, till 2 o'clock on Thursday next, the sth instant.