MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

New Zealander, Volume 8, Issue 631, 1 May 1852, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

A)JCKI,AN7>, SvflJltDAY, Al'ltlL 24, 1852. The Council nioL at one o'clock. Vitksr.isT : —His Wor.ship theMaj or ; Aldermen Dii>nan, O'Neill, l'owditch, and 2Slsisr>n ; Councillors J)avy, Abraham, IJay, Norman, Newman, llaultain, and Taylor. The Minutes of the last Meeting were read and confirmed. The Town Clerk read a letter from (he Colonial Secretary, informing the Town Council thai the Lieulenanl-Governor had received a despatch fiom (he Governor-in-Chief, communicating that I lib JOxcclleiicy had brought under the notice of the l'oif master-General in London the great inconvenience fellby the inhabitants of the Northern Piovincc from fhe irregularities of the General Post Ollico in despatching their letters by .ships bailing for the Southern Settlements, and requesting th:it in future all letters addressed to individuals in Ihe Northern parts of New Zealand should be forwarded by ships Hailing direct for Auckland, or by vessels bound for Sydney. Councillor JJ:iy postponed i'or the present his motion on the .subject of payment of Crown Lands purchase-money. Councillor Abraham, according to notice, rose to move that the minutes of the private meetings of the Committee of the whole Council held in the Grand .Jury Room be read. After some conversation, in •which Aldermen Mason and O'Neill expressed themselves in favor of the minutes being laid on the table, but opposed to the delay of any discussion on them, while the more important, question of the Subcommittee's Ik'port remained for consideration, it wiis agiecd to by the mover, and seconded by Alderman O'Neill, that the minutes he laid on the table. Councillor Abraham said that, although he had given notice at the last meeting that he would move for the consideration of the Report of the Sub-Committee of the whole Council, he had only done so because there .seemed a disinclination on thc])art of nil the members to father the Report. Perhaps the biunii difliculty to take it up would still be felt ; lor his own part he had no desire to enter into any discussion upon it, much les-s to give it his suppoit. His motion wasmeicly now to give the Council an opportunity to say wliothci they would take it into lonsidmalion. It appeared veiy plain to him that, a gie.il change had lately come over the sphit of dilVerent members, so much so, that now one could not know how to proceed, or where to find suppoilcrs any motion, nor indeed how to reconcile the inconsistencies of the successive blepsin the conduct of niL'inbery. When he had moved long ago Io go into Committee to take stock, Alderman J'ow(lilf'h then agreed lli.it it was nccessaiy to ascertain the amount of funds recjuiied to carry on, and the source fiom which they were to be derived; but now the Report of the Committee of which he was Chairman recommended the deputation not to mention to the Governor the sources from which funds were to he derived that were needed. On other points on which they were before agreed, it now appeared they held contradietoiy opinions. The report recommended the disfrauchisement of seven Wards —we might discuss that point if we liked, and the member for l'aumure would not object. (Captaiu lLaultain : Question. Jdo object.) He (Mr. A.) believed that Captain Ifaullaiu did not object to the lie poil; and he wibhed to know on what principle

members, who did not object to the Ileport which struck at tho very root of (Ik: Charter, could object to the Council considering wliiit :my member proposed as to tho sources i'roin which liimls wore to be procured to work the Charter. He would like to know how it was intended the deputation .should meet the 1/ieuten.uit-Govcrnor, if they -were precluded iron) entering upon the question of raiding funds Was the Council sure whether the Burgesses of those Wards that were pruned on" would be satisfied with the deputation requesting their dis (ranch isement. 1 low did they know but that the municipal form of representation would be the oidy one to be enjoyed by the .settlement, and if it should so happen, how were the inhabitants of the disfranchised "Wards to participate in self-government? The fact was, the Report had brought the Council b.ick to fust principles, and opened up the question — What is the Chin tor worth ? Are we to accept it or not ? The discussion on the Report would perhaps elicit something in answer to these questions, and he would therefore move that it be considered. Alderman ])ignan, in seconding the motion, said that the Committee did not intend to contract the limits of the Borough nor shut out any of the Burgesses, if the Council could only see their way clear to secure the means to carry out the Charier without laying heavy burthens on the Burgesses. There were members of the Committee who could point out a very different way to rai.se the means than that proposed by Mr. Newman ; and with regard to the recommendation in (lie report for the guidance of the deputation, Mr. Newman was no stranger to it, for he agreed to the report and signed it. Councillor Newman i ose merely to explain the position in which he stood in 1 elation to tho Report, lie had certainly mistook the conclusion of it, and thought tho recommendation was to ihe Committee not to enter into details on tho question of finance — that that was to be left for consideration in Council, lie never understood, when ho agreed to the report, that it would not be competent for the Council or the deputation to enter into details. It was a blunder on his own part, and he acknowledged it. Alderman I'owditch thought there had been a ■wrong impression made as to the sources from which means were to be procured. By what had been proposed, it might appear that the only scheme the Council could devise for raising necessary funds Avas the reduction of the salaries of the Government officers. Tho report recommended that the deputation should not go into details, but it did not interfere with the Council's right to consider the subject of resources: and while he did not approve of this Council going into the question of the reduction of salaries, which could only be legitimately considered by the Legislature he was of opinion that another way to raise funds Avas open, which he would point out. The worthy Alderman was proceeding, when Alderman O'Neill objected to new matter foreign to the report being introduced. The Mayor thought that further discussion on the report could only be regular on a motion for its adoption being madeAlderman PoAvditeh then moved the adoption of the report, which was seconded by Alderman Mason, and he proceeded. He was about to point out how he thought the funds might be obtained in the best way, and as to the manner of their outlay, he would hold by the plan which it avus well known he had befoie brought under their consideration, that the most itupoi taut points in the Borough should be selected, and the money spent upon them for such improvements as would be generally beneficial. Jle would point to what the Charter already provided in the third of the land fund, which he thought would amount this year to £1000, and the amount already voted by the legislature for i.^oo. This he considered too small, and would have the deputation to ask the Governor to have it doubled next year, which would be £1600. Also, that the deputation should ask the following: tho slaughter-house, wash-house, and other such fees, C'^oo ; all licences granted in the Borough, publican's and auctioneer's, the yearly amount ol which Avas at present Xl2OO, but other licences might be put on Avith advantage Avhich Avould ineicasc the amount iVom this source, lie thought also that the Corporation should leceive all lines arising from disorderly conduct within the Borough, lie would ask for a specific endowment of land, say .0000 acres; and as this land could not be made di* recfly available for the production of funds, he would let it out on improving leases, and ask for a money grant of X2OOO a year, for ten years, until the land would become available, lie did not think this was too much to ask from the general revenue ; it would be but a small .share of the grant made by tho Home Government, which he thought should not be grudged to or speedily withdrawn from the Colony. There Avere J 50,000 souls in Ncav Zealand that Avell deserved to be fostered by the mother Country ; for they were already huge, and were yearly becoming si ill larger consumers of her manufactured goods, and iheic Avas little fear of them interfering or competing, for a century or so, with British manufacturers. This population Avas scattered all over the interior of the country, and required transit for their goods from the sea-ports to their habitations, and it would be a good and sound principle 1o open up lines of communication Avith o\cry habilable part of the country. Ho thought the management of the emigration fund deserved attention. It would be much better that the portion of the land fund devoted to immigration should be managed by a board of commissioners in the colony, so that a guard might be kept over the selection of immigrants, and an arrangement made wheieby they might have advances made to them at a small interest, to be paid into the Corporation Fund at the end of the year. With regard to the limitation of the hounds of the Borough, he agreed Avith the icport, and thought it would be much better were it reduced to its more natural limits, lie concluded by moving that the deputation go into details, and ask the Governor for the endowments he had enumerated. The Mayor thought that as the motion before the Council Avas, that the report be adopted, nothing could be entertained until that question Avas decided. Councillor Abraham confessed that he could not understand how the matter stood just then, and he questioned if any other member knew whereabouts they Avere. They seemed to have got altogether out of their reckoning. L'oor Mr. Newman had to apologi/.e for pointing out the Avays and means. Councillor NcAvman rose to deny having done any such thing as apologize for pointing out the ways and mc.vis — Councillor Aluaham assured Mr. NcAVinan that he did not find fault with his scheme for raising the necessary funds — he went the Avhole way with him in that; but what ho was going to say Avas that he thought it strange that Mr. Newman should be iound limit Avith for pointing out sources from whence- funds might be derived, Avhile now Alderman I'owditch came fonvard to nuno tho adoption of the repoi t, and felt at liberty to direct Llkjiu to other sources, and to recommend the deputation to enter into his details, the report Avhich he Avished to have adopted at Ihe same time directing the deputation to abstain from enleiing into any detail. It Avas really haul to see where they would got to directly. Couiicilloi NcAvman Avished it to be cleaily understood that he made no apology for what hi 1 had expressed as to tho souice liom which he Avould have funds procured — he ay.is decidedly of tho same opinion still ; what he had said wiii in explanation of ilu; course he had taken, which was apparently inconsistent, after having agreed to the report, lie thought, hoAvevei^ ; that the Council Avas getting into a complete

maze— that they luinlly knew now where they wore. Still lie could not see anything wrong or inconsistent with reguhiiily in iho course Alderman Powtlilch had taken. Members were now considering the report, and were entitled, ho thought, to point out any way that tliey deemed (he best for pioeiiring necessary funds to enable the Council to proceed with benefit to the Borough. He should recommend that the report be considered clause by clause, and when they came to the latter part, it might be expunged, and whatever plan was deemed most expedient might be substituted. Councillor Ilaultain thought the proper course would be for the Council to go into committee to consider the report, and he moved that the standing orders be suspended for that purpose, which was seconded by Councillor Newman, and carried. Council in Committee on the Sub Committee's Report. Alderman Mason read the first clause, and moved that it be athmted. 1. That aa will he seen by the reports of tho Committees appointed l>y flip Council to inqune into the suite and ie<jinu>nienla of the Koiuls in (lie Town, Suburban and Riiinl Wards found that a sum exceeding .C 111,000 wus necessary to complutu and lioup thorn in repair. Councillor IJaultain objected to this clause for the same reasons that he objected to the reports from which the sum stated was domed, lie thought the amount required was over estimated. Th«j cost of constructing cross roads and byroads and other works of no present utility had been taken into account in making up the sum of £18,000. Alderman Mason interposed because lie thought that as the reports had been already adopted by the Council, it was not in order to di&ciihS them now. Councillor Ilaultain thought he had a perfect right to show cause why he objected to the sum of £115,000 named in the clause under consideration. Ho then went on to enumerate several of the works mentioned in the Rural Roads Report, the cost of which was included in the sum named in the clause, and stated his beJief that such works Avere not needed, and the ( cost of them had no right to appear in the estimate. The clause was carried, Captain Ilaultain being the only dissentient. Alderman Mason moved the second clause; <2. That the above sum ought to bo extended over ft period of three yenis, in equal payments. Councillor Ilaultain moved, as an amendment, that the deputation should name no sum to the Governor, but lay the several reports before him, and leave it to His KxceJlcnuy to consider what it would be necessary to grant in the way of additional endowments. The amendment, not being seconded, was withdrawn, find the clause was carried. Alderman Mason then moved the third clause : 3. Tlmt his Excellency's attention bo directed to the vnnoiiK reserves set foith in the reports of (he Road's Commit lees, and in addition to such and by wny of endowment, tho land to bo reclaimed fiom the Hca in Commercial IJny, nnd such other lauds within or without the Borough, as would enable the C rpot.Uion eventually to derive a. revonuo for corporate purposes. Alderman Powtlitch moved that after "Commercial Hay" tho words "and such other lauds" lie struck out, and " .WOO acres" substituted. Seconded by Councillor Hay. Councillor Abraham enquired if Alderman Powdifoh would object to include in his mnondment the words " Freeman's Buy, Mechanics' Bay, and Ilobson's Bay," in addition to the .WOOacicsi Alderman Mason said the land in Freeman's Bay was bold, and the allotments were bounded by the sea ; in Mechanics' Bay reserves were set apart for tho erection of wharves. Alderman Powditch luul, niter considering the subject, recommended that 6000 acres .should be asked for, nnd he would be content if the Council got that quantity. Councillor Uuultnin had no objection to ask for the laud to he reclaimed from the sea, and for the reserves named in the reports, by way of endowment ; but he thought that if the Council h.ul possession of the third of the v>hole unsold land in the Borough, theie was not any real present prospect of turning that land into funds necessary for immediate purposes. With regard to the profit arising from reclaiming land from the sea, he thought but very little would be realized in that way. The great expense of constructing the wharf now going forward, which, after all, was merely intended to be temporary, would give .some idea of the cost of reclaiming land in the harbour. If such a thing were undertaken hy the Council, a great deal of outlay in the first instance must he expected, mid where was the capital to come from to ouablo them to embark in it. Councillor Abraham read an extract from the Governor-in-Chiot's despatch accompanying the Clmi (er, which stated that land might be reclaimed from the ,sea at a trilling outlay which would become very valuable to the Corporation. On this point he was inclined to take Governor Grey's judgment rather than Captain Haul tain's. Councillor I [aultdin thought that the expense of even the temporary wharfs was not found to be .so very trifling — perhaps His Excellency had been wrong in his calculations. The fourth clause was moved b}' Aldermnn Mason, and seconded by Alderman Dignan : 4. That the attention of his Excellency be dmwn to ihe extent of the Jioiough, and that he bo requested to iccommend its i eduction within the followiug limits :—: — commencing at llobson'a bay, following the creek to Hobson'a bridgo thence following tho Epsom load to its junction with the Kyher-pass road, thence up the ICj ber-|iass tond to Svinond's street, thence along Symotid'H street till it joins tho Knrangnhnpo io<id, thence to r'roeman's I3ay, retaining llio JJouudiuies of tho West Town Ward. Alderman O'Neill thought it right to state that be h.ul given no authority to any member of the Committee to say that he wished the West Suburban Ward .struck out of the Borough. He thought that wus a question more propci Iy for the decision oi'Jiis constituents than himself, and since the last mooting he had gone round to take their opinions, and they invariably wished to be 101 l outside the Borough. They nay that the Government nevcrexpended anything in improvements iii their Ward, and they ieareci that tho Corporation would serve them no better, while it would bo likely to tax them for improving other parts of the Borough. Councillor lluultain thought that members would not be acting- right in voting for the reduction of the limits of the Borough without first following the example of Alderman O'Neill, and consulting their constituents. For his own part he could not vote for the clause, for when he accepted a seat in the Council it was with the understanding that he meant so far as he was individually able to cany out the Charter to its lull extent without any curtailment or limitation. Alderman Fowdilch thought it would be very desirable that the Borough should be l educed to more natural limits. Jl the Wai den's jniisdiction had not boon interfered with by the Charter of Interpolation — improvements would havo been made bclbicthis time, where every thing is now neglected. lie had received a letter Iroin the Wardens of Ihe Auckland Hundred pointing out the need of immediate improvements at certain points of the roads, some of which could hardly be doomed to be of general utility to the Borough, while the} r wore no doubt of great impoitauce in certain localities. He believed that i( the limits of the Borough were condensed into natural bounds then* would be no occasion for tho Corpol.ilion to interfere with what was eoiisidcml out of the way roads — these would bo loft to the management of the Wardens or the Provincial Council.

Councillor Abiaham was i oir\ io lie tiouhlcsoine, but he was sent there by his constituents to look after Ihi'ir Tnli-rests in (he woiking of the Charter, and while he agreed with Aldciman Powditch ihat the Wardens could manage the rural roads holies than the Coipomlion, he could not agree to ask tho Governor to curtail tho Boroiif.h } while at tho same time .£(5,000 was being asked for road making over its whole extent — an occupation that was considei'ed hy .soino worthy ineinhovs to he an honourable work for tho Municipal Council to he engaged on. But they wore go/ng to ask the Governor to do what was not in his power to do. According 1 to the Jloyal Jnstructionsand Loid Groy'sdospatchon the subject it appeared that once the melon and hounds of the Borough were proclaimed by the Governor, it was only competent Jbr the Legislative Council to alter the boundaries. Tho clause was then put, and carried — Councillor 1 1 aultain voting- against it, and Councillors Abraham and Taylor refusing to vote. Alderman Mason moved and CouneillorNorman seconded the iil'th clause. '), That with iho present extent of llie Borough tlio levying of a into will boa matter ol difficulty inasmuch a^ the inti loslH of I lie 15ui};us;iOH are too conflicting, it us hcltcvftl tliat were it reduced within Iho limits proposed, the objections against a rate for looal improvcnienls would in a %ront measure! be obviated. Councillor Jlaultain thought the difficulty of le\ yiug a inoder.ite and necessary tax would not be found insurmountable — the feeling- did not appear to be so much against taxation as the dread or tho improper distribution of tho taxes when raised, lie thought this might he got over hy expending in each separate ward whatever it was found necessary to levy within it, and then make an equal distribution among the whole of -whatever grants were made to tho Corporation by the Legislature, lie did not sec how the Council could proceed to do any thing in the Borough without a small tax being raised, especially as wo repudiated the sums the Home Government wished to lay upon us, so that it would be imprudent to rest hopes for the future on any thing- to be derived from Parliamentary Grants. 'Hie land fund would not produce much to the revenues of the Council, and as for Mr. Newman's ingenious scheme for raising money lie did not think it would he found to be very practicable. Councillor Abraham would oppose the clause because he thought it gave an implied assent to taxation. It recommended a limitation of the Borough that taxation might ho made less difficult. Jlc wished members would express their views candidly, as Mr. Newman and himself had done, on the subject of taxation. Seven Councillors who had voted themselves out of the Borough were willing to tax the rest that remain, for what useful purpose to them ho could not say. The clause was put and carried. Alderman Mason moved the last clause : In conclusion, your Committee rectmimond tlmt the Deputation do not go into detail as to the iminrdiato npptopnation of any funds w Inch may be hereafter available, or consider the souices from whence these may bo derived. Councillor Newman proposed that the Deputation do go into detail and point out the sources from whence tho sum required may he obtained. Of course he meant from the present expenditure, lie did not think it necessary to repeat all he had said on tho subject already, but ho would again state that his sentiments were the Name, and he had made no apology for the expression of those scnments. The amendment was seconded by Councillor Taylor. Alderman Powrlitch thought tho course recommended by Mr. Newman was a \cry injudicious one, nnd would be found to be disadvantageous. It was stepping out of the way of their own duties, and assuming the duties of the Legislative Council. Besides, it would bo in exceeding bad taste to urg_o such a course upon tho Government just now: it would be time enough to recommend the reduction of establishments and salaries when we were able to support ourselves without any assistance from without, lie 1 hough t the plan he hud proposed was the most likely to meet tho exigences of the case, and he therefore proposed (hat the Deputation ask the Governor for the items that he had enumerated in the beginning of the day's proceedings. Councillor Hay seconded the motion. Councillors Newman, Abraham, and Ilaultnin, and Alderman Mason, made some observations on the merits of tho two schemes proposed, and it was at length carried that Mr. Ne" man's amendment, Avitli Alderman Powditch's proposition added to it, should be substituted for the hist clause of the report ; Councillor llaultain voting against the alteration, stating, at the same lime, that he would have voted for Alderman Powditch's proposition as an amendment upon Mr. Newman's, but not as an addition to it. 0)i the motion of Alderman Powditch, the Committee adjourned to report progress, and the Council resumed. Councillor Newman moved that the report of tho Committee be adopted. Alderman Powditch seconded tho motion. The report was adopted, Councillor llaultain voting against it, Councillor Abraham declining to vote, and {he Mayor stating that he only voted for it so that thcCouncil might be brought into con tact with the Government, that something practical might he the result. Councillor Newman proposed that the members of the Sub-Committee form the Deputation to the Governor, and that the Town Clerk bo instructed (c furnish copies of the various Kcports, and ask for an interview with Ilis Excellency. — Carried. Councillor Abraham postponed his notice of motion for a Committee on the Standing Orders of tho Council. The Town Clerk read two letters from the Colonial Secretary, informing the Council that His Excellency the Lieutenant-Governor had confirmed the iippointments of Mr. Merriman as Town Clerk, and Mr. OBrien as Treasurer. Council then adjourned.

The Deputation appointed by the Common Council to wait on the Government with the requests resolved on at the meeting last Saturday, had an interview \esterday with Lieut.Governor Wynyaiw. The following purpotts to be a copy of His Excellency's Reply, but v\c cannot vouch for its entire accuracy. Indeed, in some particular, it is by no means what we should have anticipated. But the Official Reply will, we presume, be presented to the Council at its fust meeting, and the public will then be in a position to estimate the authenticity of the subjoined dtaft, as they an* ahead y in a position to climate the degree of justice with which such a Reply vdyhl be given :—: — Mr. Mayor, and Gentlemen, In this, tho first formal inteivicw I have lint) with u Dt)|Hil!ilioii loprosentn.g tho Common Council of tho Horough of Auckland, it is my pleasing; (hit}' to express lint high iiikl iinuiinglcd gratification with which tho Government lmvo observed tho proceedings of the Corporation. Considering tho novolty of tho ciicumHlanct's in which you woie placed, it cannot ho doubted l hut tho wisdom by which youi delibeiations havw boon uiiifoimly "iiiilcd ntt'oul.s tho most conclusive answer to thosn who ventured to doubt the fitness of your constituencies to enter without author dcltiy upon a caiuso of unrestiicted Sclf-Govcinnicnt. Minerva springing <>(]Ui|)|>i'd in nil pnmta fiom the lic.\d of Jupiter fuinnhtsnn nppio|)iniii> emblem of the HUlosinnn«lilre sagacity which, fiom the very day of your inauguration, you have collectively and individually manifested. '1 Im Reports of your sovcrnl Suh-Committccs on Ito.tdi, Public WoiU, Ch.\ut.il)le 'I rusts, &c, which have bpoii ol)'iginglj forwanled to mo prepninloiy to oui pie.sL'tit inifi view, not only contain n mnss of tho moat impmtMlly collect! d Btalistio.il information, but bii'iUho throiijjhout n Kindly and iTßjicctlnl feeling to-

wards the Executive of the Colony, and a de«iro to present the capabilities of the Municipal Charter in the aspect best fitted to commend it to tin- favour of the Burgesses, which it becomes and gratifies me to acknowledge The efficiency with which you have connected works of practical utility with your more abstract enquuies also merits warm approbation. On my return from my late olliti.il visit to the South, I could not but be impiessed with a lively sense of the diligence with which you lind forwarded necessary work?. It is difficult to select points, where >ou have clone so much ; yet I cannot but refer with special approbation to the complete stite of lepair into which you have brought that important line of access to one of your places of worship, and to a part of the town rapidly giowingin populousness, — I mean Wyndham street; and to the judgment vilh which you have made the drainage of Queen-street one of your first sanitary operations. I trust it may bs long before your precautions against fireaie needed, but your thoughlfulness in enacting them is not the les-. praise woi thy. It will be gratifying to your Committee on Chai liable Taints to l>now that I have given such directions as will becuie the piompt completion of the Lunatic Asylum, a ivoik of necessity and mcicy which fiey so anxiously strove to piomotej and that at no distant day, it will be subjected to the equally vigilant and benevolent supeimtendence you already buslow upon the Hospital. Though it is a minor matter, I must express the admiiution with which I have regarded the chaste and truly aitis'ical design and execution of the Seal of the Corporation. The requests which you now make are in themselves so reasonable, and your past activity gives so decisive a proof that your means and powers will be well employed, that I can only iissure you of the entire willingness of the Government to accede to them. Having lecently had lengthened conversations with the Go-vernoi--in-Chief on the subject, I am enabled to speak His Excellence's sentiments as well as my own. It ■will not be requisite that you should wait for three years to receive the .£lB,OOO you ask for. lam happy to say that the plethonc condition of the Treasury will permit that sum to be forthwith transferred to your credit. Under these circumstances you perhaps will not think it indispensable that the official salaiies should be instantly reduced, particularly as the fact that some of them are paid wholly from British funds renders it a question not altogether free from difficulty. It lias occurred to the Government, however, that your views of just economy may be partly met, and at the same time the bonds of friendly co-operation between the I Colonial and the Municipal Governments be j diawn more closely together, if some of the Government Officers were to be required to act without additional pay as officers of the Corporation also. Thus, the Attorney-General might perform the duties of your Town Clerk ; the Colonial Treasurer might, under fitting inspection, keep your cash ; the Surveyor-General might act as Borough Surveyor, with the understanding that any failure on his part to give satisfaction might be punished by such stoppages of salary as the Common Council shou d direct ; and, if your increasing business should jequire an assistant to the Town Clerk, the Registiarof the Supreme Conn might act in that capacity. You will please consider this suggestion, and repoit your decision. Your request for an endowment of five thousand acres of land, seems rather vague; but if jou will specify the particular districts and localities you prefer, the giant shall forthwith be issued. You are probably aware thst the Royal Instructions interpose an obstacle to the compliance by the Governor with your desne for the reduction of the Boiough within narrower limits, requiring that any such alteration should be made by the Legislative Council. If you press the request, I will foiwaid, by a speciil messengei, a despatch to the Governor-in-Chief suggesting that His Excellency should assume in this cisc a responsibility similar to that of setting aside the New Zealand Settlements Act of last Session, and proclaim the alteration you wish for, liustiug to an indemnity at home. But I would recommend your waiting for this change until the meeting of the Legislative Council, which will take place in a very few months That Council, there can be no doubt, will be compos d of men of enlightenment, patriotism, and energy, seeing that a conaideiable propoition of its menibeis will be elected by the constituencies which have done thems'lves such lasting honour by the election of yourselves, Gentlemen, and your fellow Councillors.