GENERAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 712, 9 February 1853, Page 4

GENERAL LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Wednesday, December 22nd, 1852. The Session of the General Legislative Council of the Islands of New Zealand was opened this day by his Excellency the Governor-in-Chief. A guard of honour of the 65th Regt., under the command of Captain Trafford, was drawn up in front of the Legislative Chamber. The further end of the Chamber, set apart for the accommodation of the public, was well filled by settlers. Shortly after 3 o’clock his Excellency the Go-vernor-in-Chief, wearing the insignia of the order of the Bath, entered the Council Chamber, accompanied by his Excellency the Lieutenant-Go-vernor and other members of the Council, the Band of the 65th Regt. playing the National Anthem. The following members of Council were present: —His Excellency the Lieutenant-Go-vernor, Lieutenant-Colonel M‘Cleverly, commanding troops Southern Province, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Colonial Treasurer, the Collector of Customs, Dillon Bell, Esq., and Capt. W. M. Smith. Prayer’s having been read by the Rev, R. Cole, Colonial Chaplain, his Excellency opened the Council with the following address : Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, — At the close of the recent session of the Imperial Parliament an Act was passed to grant a Representative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand. I have been in daily expectation of receiving the official copy of that Act, accompanied by the Instructions necessary to enable me to bring it into immediate operation ; and 1 was consequently anxious, if practicable, not to have assembled the Legislative Council until it was in my power to have laid before you the Instructions, which would have possessed so high a degree of interest both for yourselves, and for the entire Colony. The Ordinance for the appropriation of the revenue expires, however, at the close of this month; and after that time, unless it is renewed with your sanction, no Ordinance will he in force under the authority of which the current expenditure could be conducted. A sudden cessation of that expenditure and a consequent stoppage of the entire machinery of Government would, however, inflict such injury upon the various settlements established in these Islands, that I have felt it to he my duty, although at a shorter notice than I could have desired, to request your attendance at Wellington, as the most central point, for the purpose of submitting to your consideration the propriety of re-enacting the existing Appropriation Ordinance, and of authorising the continuance of its operation for such a period of time as may permit of provision being made for the appropriation of the revenues by the Legislatures to be constituted under the authority of the recent Constitutional Act. In addition to the Appropriation Ordinance, I propose to submit for your consideration a few other Bills, which relate to subjects of pressing importance. But I shall be careful to propose to 3’ou only such measures as are absolutely necessary for the welfare and progress of the entire Islands; because I am anxious that the rights and , functions of the Provincial Legislatures, which are so shortly to be elected, may not even appear to he in any manner unnecessarilv interfered with. There is also the less reason for our entering upon any extensive system of Legislation during the present Session of the Council; because, although it is not in mv power upon this occasion to lay before you the instructions which will accompany the recent Act of Parliament conferring Representative Institutions upon this Colon}', I am enabled fo state that those Instructions were, at the date of my latest advices from England, in course of preparation ; and that both Her Majesty’s Government and the local authorities will make every effort to introduce them into full operation in the Colony with as little delay as is consistent with the care and attention which the importance of the subject requires. A Bill has been prepared for your consideration, which provides for the Registration of Deeds and Instruments affecting Real Property within the Canterbury settlement. From an oversight upon the part of the framers of the Act of Parliament to empower the Canterbury Association to dispose of certain lands in New Zealand, (13th and 14th Victoria, chap. 70, 1850) no provision was made for the registration, in conformity with the terms of the local Ordinance, of such conveyances as the Agent of the Canterbury Association might issue to their purchasers. The Bill which has been prepared provides a remedy for that omission ; and I have no doubt that you will cordially co-operate with the Government in its efforts to render the titles to property in the Canterbury settlement more secure, and to facilitate the transfer of such property. A correspondence will be laid before you, which has passed between the Principal Secretary of State for the Colonial Department and the Lords Commissioners of Her Majesty’s Treasury, upon the subject of the Bank Charters Ordinance of last Session. You will find, from that correspondence, that some slight amendment in that Ordinance will probably he necessary before it can be brought into beneficial operation. By the terms of the Naturalization Ordinance, Session XI, No. 0, it is requisite that I should submit to you a Bill for the final Naturalization of those persons who have been declared in the interval which has elapsed since the last Session of the Legislative Council, by the prclamations which I have issued for that purpose, to he free from the disabilities to which aliens arc by law subject. A measure for this purpose has been therefore prepared, and will be laid before you. The most recent despatches 1 have received from the Lieutenant-Govenwn- of New Ulster, upon the subject of the discovery of Gold in the valley of the Thames in that province, will he laid before you. From these you will gather that the Lieutenant-Governor is given to understand that there can he no doubt that an available Gold Field has been discovered in several places in the mountain ranges which separate the River Thames from the eastern coast of the Northern Island. Should these anticipations he fully realised, there can he little doubt that a source of great wealth and prosperity will be laid open for the Northern Province of New Zealand, which will afford a fair earnest of the mineral wealth of

the entire New Zealand Islands, and justly encourage hopes that other and richer discoveries may hereafter be made, when the interior of these Islands has been more fully explored. In the meantime Lieutenant-Governor Wynyard has, with very great promptitude and energy, addressed himself to the difficult task of making and enforcing those regulations which are necessary for the preservation of the tranquillity and o-ood order of the country in the neighbourhood of the point where Gold has been discovered. Undoubtedly the discovery of Gold in Islands circumstanced as these of New Zealand are, may—if unjust and injudicious acts arc committed —be the means of creating great embarrassments ; but I think that, by availing ourselves, with justice and wisdom, of a source of wealth which a bounteous Providence appears thus unexpectedly to have placed at our disposal, we may, by our good conduct, deserve and ultimately draw from it those great benefits which, rightly used, it is capable of conferring upon both the European and Maori race. The discovery of valuable mines of Copper and Coal in the vicinity of Nelson will, f hope, prove productice of great and permanent advantages to that settlement. The Government has done its utmost to enable the inhabitants of Nelson to dedelope advantageously the mineral riches thus placed at their disposal, by permitting the mines to he worked under very advantageous conditions. The correspondence relating to this subject will be laid before you. A despatch 1 have received from the Secretary of State, upon the subject of the proposed discontinuance of their operations by the Conterhury Association, will, by my directions, he laid upon the table. From that despatch you will perceive that it was proposed that the Association should, from the 30th September last, suspend its functions, for the purpose of presenting to the Provincial Council of the Province the option of taking a transfer of the Association’s functions, together with its admitted liabilities, which appear on the 14th June last to have been about £12,215. In reference to this subject, I have directed that a correspondence between the Local Government and the Agent of the Canterbury Association, should be submitted to you. It contains the details of an arrangement under which I sanctioned advances, not exceeding in the whole the sum of two thousand pounds, from the revenue, to the Agent of the Association, to enable him to execute certain public works in the Canterbury district. A sum of seventeen hundred pounds has been actually advanced on this account to the Agent ot the Association ; this amount, therefore, forms another liability of which the Association were not aware when they made the statement of their affairs contained in their Secretary’s letter of the 14th June. But as the Government understand that the Agent of the Canterbury Association has disposed of lands at Canterbury since that advance was made, and as it appears that a decided revival had taken place lia li*aglancl In t,lie prospect. o£ land sales by the Association., it is to he hoped that the advances made by the Local Government will speedily be repaid under the terms of the arrangement entered into with the Agent of the Association. I have directed that a copy of a communication, which has recently been received from the Right Honourable the Post-Master-General, should be laid before you. From that communication it will he found that the Postal arrangements have now been finally agreed upon, under which letters may hereafter be prepaid in New Zealand to any part of Great Britain, or in that country to any part of New Zealand ; and by which printed books and pamphlets may he transmitted by Post. 1 have recently received d communication from tl e Governor-General of Australia, proposing the establishment of a similar system of inter-colonial Postal arrangements between Australia aitd • New Zealand : every effort shall he made by this Government to conclude satisfactorily an arrangement which would be so beneficial for both groups of Colonies. Her Majesty’s Government have not yet informed me whether or not it is their intention to advise Her Majesty to confirm the New Zealand Company’s Land Claimants’ Ordinance, Session XI, No. 15; and, in the mean time, as that Ordinance is, in parts, repugnant to the Act of Parliament “ for regulating the affairs of the Company’s Settlements,” 14th and 15th Victoria, cap. 86, it has only been possible to proceed, under the local Ordinance, with those claims the investigation and adjustment of which involved no principle adverse to the above-named Act of Parliament. Seven hundred and twenty-eight claims of this nature have been made in the Wellington district, six hundred and fifty-six of which have already been finally disposed of; and six hundred and three Grants have been prepared for issue to the claimants. In the Nelson district, in like manner, all those claims which, under the existing state of the law r , can be adjusted, have been disposed of, with the exception of a few which are attended by peculiar circumstances; andfivehundred andseventy grantshave been prepared for issue to the claimants in the Nelson district. Great progress has therefore been made in putting titles, to land in the New Zealand Company’s settlements upon a more satisfactory footing. In conformity with the terms of the Education Ordinance, Session VIII, No 10, Inspectors have been appointed for those schools which are supported by public funds. The reports of those Inspectors, in so far as they'have been received, shall be laid before you : from those reports you will find that the Industrial Schools established in various parts of New Zealand, for the benefit of the Native race, have been far more successful than could have been reasonably anticipated, and that there is now every reason to hope confidently that they will exercise a most important and useful influence upon the future of this country. lam happy at being able to congratulate you upon the continued tranquillity which still prevails throughout New Zealand, and which I hope may, by judicious measures, be uninterruptedly maintained. The progress which these Islands continue to make in wealth and prosperity is most satisfactory. The Native population are making daily advances in the accumulation of wealth, and in the pursuits of industry ; various instances have recently occurred in which they have purchased valuable pieces of land from Europeans for very considerable sums; they also now produce such large quantities of wheat, that the supplies wlvch they thus afford have become a most important article of trade for the Colony. The European population have also, In many parts of the Colony, largely extended their agricultural operations. There therefore can be little doubt that the exports of agricultural produce from New Zealand in the year 1853 will greatly exceed those of any previous year; whilst our exports of every kind also continue rapidly to increase ; the demand for many of them in the neighbouring Colonies is also greater than at any former period ; and the prices they x’ealize are far higher than was ever anticipated. A great stimulus has thus been given to production of every kind; and a vast amount of wealth will, it may therefore be reasonably anticipated, pour into these Islands. If, then, we review the present circumstances of the Colony, I think that every heart interested in the welfare of New Zealand must feel deeply imbued with gratitude to Divine Providence for the past, and full of hope for the future. Within a few years we have seen war succeeded by permanent and lasting peace, a discontented population in a state of rebellion become attached and industrious citizens. In the place of disaster, discontent, and want, we now see upon all sides, prosperity, wealth, and comfort; and at the time that the peace and welfare of the Colony appear thus consolidated, and is therefore so well fitted to undergo political changes, New Institutions of the most liberal character are conferred upon it, which, in so fur as human sagacity can form an opinion upon the subject, appear likely to confirm and strengthen the present happiness of the coun-

try, and to assure its future progress and welfare. This Council may, Gentlemen, during the short period it still has to exist, do much to promote the present prosperity, and to prepare the way for the more popular Legislatures which are to succeed it. You will, I am sure, feel the importance of, and earnestly strive to execute well, this last task ; and in the performance of this duty, which possesses a more than ordinary degree ol interest, you may rely upon receiving my most cordial cooperation and assistance. ( G. GKLY. Council Chamber, Wellington, December 22,1852. His Excellency then laid on the table drafts of the Appropriation Bill and ibe Canterbury Deeds Registration Bill. , , , On the motion of the Attorney-General, seconded by .the Colonial Secretary, his Excellency’s address to the Council was ordered to be printed. His Excellency laid on the table a despatch from Lieutenant Governor Wynyaid, relating to the Gold discoveries at the North, together with views of the district in which the Gold is found and specimens of the Gold : the stone in which the Gold is found ie of a greyish colour. The Colonial Secretary said that as several members were expected from Nelson, it would be to adjourn the Council for a few days in order to give time for them to arrive, llis Excellency said be would prefer the two bills should be read the first time previous to adjournment, as in coming to the Council, he had received despatches of so late date as to render it probable they contained the despatch relating to the New Constitution. The following notices of motion were then given First reading of the Appropriation Bill by the Colonial Secretary. First reading of the Canterbury Deeds Registration Bill by the Attorney-General. The Council then adjourned to Thursday, at 3 o’clock. Thursday, December 23. The Council met at three o’clocn. The same members were present as on the previous day. Prayers having been read by the Colonial Chaplain, - The Colonial Secretary moved the first reading of the Appropriation Bill. The motion was seconded by Lieut.-Colonel M‘Cleverty; the bill was accordingly read a first time. On the motion of the Attorney-General, seconded by Captain Smith, trie Canterbury Deeds Registration Bill was read a first time, His Excellency laid on the table a despatch be had received from the Secretary of State for the Colonies enclosing the Act to grant a Constitution to New Zealand. The despatch was read by the Clerk of Council, and on the motion of the Colonial Secretary was ordered to be printed. His Excellency also informed the Council be bad received by the same mail the decision of Her Majesty’s Government on the New Zealand Company s Land Claimants Ordinance, in a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, which he laid on the table. The despatch was read and ordered to be printed. Notice was given by the Colonial Secretary of the second reading of the Appropriation Bill, and by the Attorney-General of the second reading of the Canterbury Deeds Registration Bill on Monday next, to which day the Council was adjourned. Monday, December 27. The Council met at three o’clock. Prayers having been read by ibe Colonial Chaplain. The Attorney-General moved the second reading of the Canterbury Deeds Registration Bill. The Council afterwards went into Committee on this Bill. Several amendments were proposed in Committee, and it was suggested by the Colonial Treasurer that the Bill should not come into operation before the Ist January, 1854, in order to give purchasers who bad left the settlement an equal opportunity with-those who were residents for registering their deeds. The Colonial Secretary said an objection bad been raised by the late Agent of the New Zealand Company than a plan was not part of an instrument, and therefore did not require to be registered, and though he (the Colonial Secretary) believed the Chief Justice expressed an opinion adverse to this objection, il was countenanced by Mr. Justice Chapman in an elaborate opinion, and the registration of plans was in consequence for a time discontinued ; Mr. Chapman, however, soon afterwards found out that bis opinion was wrong. He (the Colonial Secretary) therefore threw out the suggestion whether the Council might think it necessary to provide against sach captious objections as those to which he alluded, by the introduction of a clause in the Ordinance for that purpose, and gave notice of his intention of submitting a clause to that effect to the Council. The Committee then adjourned. On the motion of the Colonial Secretary the Appropriation Bill was read a second time, and the Council went into Committee on the Bill. in considering the title, •* a Bill to appropriate the revenue of the Provinces of New Ulster and New Munster,” it was suggested by the Colonial Secretary that it should be altered to “the revenue of New Zealand” as possibly before the Legislature may appropriate the revenue, the Provinces of New Ulster and New Munster may cease to exist. On the first clause being read Captain Smith proposed the blank should be filled up, so as to limit the appropriation of the revenue to six months. The Colonial Secretary doubted whether the new Council would be sufficiently advanced in business in that period to enter into the question of the appropriation of the revenue. The Attorney-General observed if too short a term were mentioned, it might render it necessary to assemble the Council together again. The Lieutenant-Governor thought it better to name some definite period, as it would give a sort of guarantee that the new Constitution would be shortly brought into operation. Although the Provincial Councils were called together they could not act, as an Ordinance by the General Council would override any measures passed by the Provincial Councils. Whatever time was necessary might he thought be calculated and stated, as he fully agreed with the Governor’s observation in his address to the Council that this Council should avoid every thing that might have seen the semblance of interfering with the functions of the Provincial Councils. Sir George Grey said the words in the clause, “ unless the appropriation of the said revenue or any part thereof shall in the meantime bo otherwise lawfully provided for,” would prevent the overriding which the Lieutenant Governor apprehended. If any Council sat, even in three months from the present lime, it might lawfully provide for the appropriation of the revenue in its Province. The Attorney-General said the words of the clause “ unless the appropriation of the said revenue, or any part thereof, shall in the meantime be otherwise lawfully provided for” would prevent any interference with the functions of the Provincial Councils. The Lieutenant-Governor observed if that was the opinion of the law adviser of the Government it would obviate his objection. After some further discussion Sir George Grey said be thought the question did not appear to be fully understood by the Council ; the opinion of the Counci' seemed to be that this was a matter in which the convenience of the present Executive Government was alone concerned. But he would remind hon. members that it might not be convenient for every Superintendent immediately after election to call his Council together; it might also not be convenient for members to attend perhaps within an interval of six weeks or two months after their election ; some latitude should be allowed to them, some scope should bo left for the exercise of their functions, and it would be difficult to fix the precise time in which all the arrangements could be carried out. It was hardly fair either to ask him to fix the precise time in which the new Constitution would be introduced, as it was necessary for him to decide on the boundaries of the new Provinces, and the whole subject required so much care and thought that it would take some time to make the different arrangements. Time must he allowed for the winds and the waves in the necessary communications to be made between the different settlements. The objection to the amendment of the hon. member, that the appropriation of the revenue should he for six months, was, that it might be inconvenient to others. As far as be (Sir George) was concerned, he should throw no difficulty in the way of the speedy operation of the new Constitution. Captain Smith then moved that the period fixed, should be nine months from the Ist January, 1853. On the 2nd clause being read, the Colonial Secretary proposed some verbal amendments. Sir George Grey was of opinion that an amendment might perhaps be introduced in the clause, if after the

words “in the said Appropriation Ordinance .or the years 1851 and 1852.” were inserted the wonts or subject to the appropriation of the respective Councils of the Provinces to be constituted under the Act ot Parliament;” the effect of which would fully meet the objection made by the Lieutenant-Governor ; be thought the mere semblance.of doubt which had been suggested would be provided against by such an amendment. He (Sir George) might issue an order 10 the Collector of the Province to pay over to the Treasurer the amount of revenue collected after certain deductions were made to provide for the expense of colleoAfter some discussion his Excellency said, that on further consideration the Act appeared to him so clear as to render the amendment he proposed unnecessary, and he would therefore withdraw it. The Committee then adjourned. . Sir George Grey laid on the table the Naturalization Bill, nod the Council adjourned to Tuesday. Tuesday, December 28. The Council met at three o’clock. On the motion of the Attorney-General, the Council went into Committee on the Land Registration A mendmend Bill. The Colonial Secretary moved an additional clause, pursuant to notice, respecting the registration of plans or maps delineated upon instruments to be registered. The report was then brought up and adopted, and the Committee adjourned. On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, the Council went into Committee on the Appropriation Bill. The Attorney-General said he had been requested by the Judge to suggest to the Council some alteration with respect to the rule relating to the Judge’s expenses on circuit; it was proposed that a fixed sum per day should be allowed for his expenses, to obviate the necessity of sending in a detailed account of petty expenses. A long discussion ensued, in the course of which Sir George Grey observed that as the present rule had lasted nine years, and as only one more circuit would occur before the subject could be brought before another legislature, he thought it better to leave the question to he settled either by the Executive Government or by the new legislature. He felt an unwillingness to disturb an arrangement which had been acted on for so long a period. The report was then brought up and adopted, and the i Committee adjourned. His Excellency then laid the following Bills on the table:— A Bank Cbarteis amendment Bill. A Bill to provide fer the admission of Barristers, Attorneys, and Proctors, to practice in the Supreme Court. The following notices of motion were given for tomorrow : By the Colonial Secretary iFirst reading of Naturalization Bill. Third reading of Appropriation Bill. By the Attorney-General Third reading of the Land Registration Amendment and Extension Ordinance. Captain Smith gave notice he would move for information on the subject of the lighthouse, and as to what steps have been taken towards its erection. The Council then adjourned. Wednesday, December 29. The Council met at 3 o’clock. On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, the Naturalization Bill was read a first time. On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, seconded by the Attorney General, the Appropriation Bill was read.a third time and passed. On the motion of the Attorney General the Land Registration Amendment and Extension was read a third lime and passed. Captain Smith seconded by Mr. Bell, moved for information as to the steps taken towards erecting a lighthouse. His Excellency stated that the information required would belaid before Council as early as possible, probably at its next meeting. The|Attorney-General gave notice that to-morrow he would move die first reading of the Supreme Court Practitioners Bill. The Colonial Secretary gave notice that to morrow he would move the first reading of the Bank Charters Amendment Bill. The Council then adjourned. Thursday, December 30. The Council met at the usual hour. On the motion of the Attorney General, the Supreme Court Practitioners Bill was read a first time. The Bank Charters Amendment Bill, on the motion of the Colonial Secretary, was also read a first time. On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, the Naturalization Bill was read a second time; the Council then went into committee on this Bill, when the clause of the former bill empowering the Governor to naturalise aliens by Proclamation, to be afterwards confirmed by the General Legislature, was added to the Bill. The following notices of motion were given for tomorrow. By the Attorney General—the second reading of Supreme Court Practitioners Bill. By the Colonial Secretary—the second reading of Bank Charters Amendment Bill, and the third reading of the Naturalization Bill. Captain Smith, pursuant to notice, moved for information on the subject of a proposed wharf for steam vessels. His Excellency laid on the table the following report, which he had received onthia subject from the Collector of Customs and Harbour Master, and stated that he had ordered estimates to be prepared, which were not contained in the report. Harbour Office, Wellington, 29tb December, 1852. Sir, Referring to your letter of the 21st insß, No. 1223, and its enclosure, we have the honour to report that we have carefully sounded, and examined the Western shore of Wellington Harbour, the only one suitable for the construction of Wharfs or Jetties, in consequence of the prevailing winds. We find the whole length of that portion called Lambton Harbour, from the present Custom House to Pipitea Point, extremdy shallow close to the shore, the nearest approach to deep water being at Clay Point; but, even there, a depth of 18 feet at low water springtides, is not obtained at a less distance than 800 feet from the rihore, and immediately after it increases to four and five fathoms. The shore shelves off gradually from low water nark to the above mentioned depth, with a soft muddy bottom ; this, in our opinion, is the only portion of the Harbour suitable for the purposes referred to in the enclosed letter. The next available piece is at Kaiwarra, on hither side the stream. On the Wellington side, (in a small natural basin) a Wharf or Jetty sixty or seventy feet long might be run out to twenty-one feet at low water, spring tides;—and a vessel would lay alongside, of it, in four fathoms water with a greater depth immediately outside. On the Hutt side of the stream, the Wharf or Jetty would have to be about one hundred and twenty feet long, to secure the same advantages ; but, at both these last mentioned places, a vessel would be much exposed to South and South-easterly gales, which blow with considerable violence during the winter months. We have the honour to be. Sir, Your most obedient, Humble Servants, Stephen Carkeee, Collector. Charles Sharp, Harbour-Master. The Honorable the Colonial Secretary, &c., &c. v &c. Wellington,. The report was ordered to be printed, and the Council adjourned. Friday, December 31. 1 he Council met at the usual hour. On the motion of the Attorney General the Supreme Court Practitioners Bill was read a second time ; the Bill was then considered in Committee and the report brought up and adopted. On the motion of the Colonial Secretary the Bank Charters Amendment Bill was read a second time and was afterwards considered in Committee. The report was brought up and adopted, and the Council resumed. The report of the Committee on the Naturalization Bill was also brought up by the Colonial Secretary and adopted. Notices of motion— By the Attorney General, the third reading of the Supreme Court Practitioners Bill.

By the Colonial Secretory, the third reading of the Naturalization Hill, and the third reading of the Bank Charters Amendment Bill. 'ihe Council then adjourned to Monday next. Monday, January 3, 1853. The Council met at the usual hour. On the motion of the Colonial Secretary, seconded by the Attorney-General, the Bank Charters Amendment Ordinance and the Naturalization Ordinance wore severally read a third lime and passed. His Excellency laid on the table the papers connected with the lighthouse which bad been moved for. Captain Smith said the papers were too balky to be printed, but he was desirous of knowing whether the spot on which the lighthouse was to be erected had been finally decided upon by the Government, and whether a lighthouse had been ordered from England i He had heard that the light now exhibited at Pencarrow Head was very insufficient; he had also heard that the use of some railway lamps had been offered to the Government, which as a temporary arrangement, might be better than the present one. Sir George Grey said be thought the objection of the hon. member would be fully met by stating that authority had been given to put the temporary light iu an efficient state. Tffe spot on which the lighthouse would be erected could not be decided until the final report ou the subject had been received, and for the same reason the lighthouse had not been ordered, but directions should be given to put the light in a more efficient state than it was at present. Sir George Grey laid on the table the reports of the Inspectors of Schools, including reports on the schools at the North. Three industrial schools were established here, and the report on the industrial schools at Auckland would be found very interesting. The Attorney-General gave notice of the third reading of the Supreme Court Practitioners Bill. Captain Smith gave notice of a motion on the subject of the steam wharf, after which the Council adjourned. Tuesday, January 4. On the motion of the Attorney-Genera! the Supreme Court Practitioners Ordinance was read a third time and passed. Sir George Grey laid on the table a correspondence relating to lands sold by the Canterbury Association on the town site of Akaroa, which was ordered to be printed. The Colonial Secretary laid upon the tab’s the statistical returns for the colony of New Zealand to the end of the year 1851, which had been prepared so as to show the state, up t;o that time, of each of the six settlements which were about to be made separate Provinces. It would he seen from these returns that at that lime the total population of the colony was 26,707, the total amount of land fenced in was 28,143 acres, the number of sheep 233,046, the number of cattle 34,787. Out of the whole population there were 14,512 persons who were able to read and write, or 54 per cent,, a very large proportion, greater even than in America. These appeared to be the most important particulars. The hon. member also laid on the table a return showing the number of grants of land issued, including those under purchases from the New Zealand Company, and -u.rid.er purchases from tbe Government, Tire returns were ordered to be printed. Captain Smith said, before the Council broke up, he was desirous they should come to some expression of opinion on the subject of a wharf for steam vessels. He had bestowed some consideration on tbe subject, and he thought that the place pointed out in the report, at Kaiwarra, possessed the advantage of requiring a wharf only seventy feet in length, which might be erected quickly, and at a moderate expense. It was certainly very desirable that the wharf should be placed in the most central situation, but this would involve so great an outlay, and so much work, as to re juire more money and more time than would be expedient for the present object. When the proposed improvements at Lambton-quay were completed, a new wharf might be erected there. If funds were required, the money might be raised by debentures. He should like to lear tbe opinion of the Council on the subject. Sir George Grey inquired if it was tbe opinion of the gallant member that there should be a wharf. Captain Smith replied be thought there should be a wharf, and that it should be made promptly. Mr. Bell considered this was a question which rested entirely with the Executive Government to determine; but if he should venture to express an opinion on the subject, he must say he should deem it roost inexpepedient and unfair to build a wharf at a place so out of the way as the-sjaot pointed out at Kaiwarra. He thought tbe wharf should be built, if possible, where the vested interests of the place were situated ; if members were to state any opinion, he should certainly say the opinion of the settlers would not be in favour of a place so far from the stretch of the town, as that pointed out by the hon. member. The Colonial Treasurer said the whole matter had arisen out of the inquiries of the Steam Company, who wished to know if they could obtain coal, and the accommodation of a wharf at Wellington. This Company was expected to start in 1833; if, therefore, the wharf was not built at Kaiwarra, it would be better not to have it at all, as at any other place too great length of time would be required for its construction. The Collector of Customs entirely agreed with what had fallen from the Colonial Treasurer, and thought the wharf should be where it could be built in the shortest time. The Colonial Secretary said no pledge was given in tbe communication which had been made to the Government ; it simply asked for information, whether any wharf could be provided for the accommodation of tbe steamers; it did not go on to say the steamers would call at Wellington. It was a question for the consideration of the Government, for, unless a distinct pledge was given, it might happen that after erecting an expensive wharf the steamers might go elsewhere. The great thing would be to get the steamers here. What was required to be done would properly be within the province of the Executive Government. Mr. Bell observed it was a point worth considering that nobody knew if the steamers would come to Wellington. That was the real question, and if it were settled that Wellington was to be the place for the calling of tbe steamers, the question of erecting the wharf might then be decided on the best principles. Sir George Grey thought they should not overlook one class of vested interests, for in speaking of vested interests, the interests of a few were too often regarded as those of the whole community. In determining this question the first class to be considered was the vested interests of the whole settlement, and if it was in thepower of Government to secure so great an advantage to the whole settlement of Wellington as tbe calling of the steamers by erecting a wharf, it would be the duty of Government to do so rather than lose such an opportunity. He (Sir George) doubted the propriety of takingany additional steps at present. If it were deemed necessary to erect a wharf, tbe Executive Government would undertake the responsibility of its erection. The spot at Kaiwaira was sufficiently good for the purposes of steamers, but might not be found to answer fox Bailing vessels. He thought they were notin a position to do more than collect every information on the subject, and to act as circumstances may require. The Colonial Secretary said the object in calling for the report was to furnish the Company with information. The Attorney General observed, that if a wharf was made it would very much induce the Company to fix its station here. His Excellency referred to tbe wharf that bad been built at Auckland, which was about a thousand feet long, at the end of that part which bad been built solid a jetty run out would be sufficient for the purpose. The whole wharf had cost about j£6OOC-, and it was imagined the cost would be repaid by the increased value of the lands sold. No motion having been made by any hon. member, the discussion here terminated. Sir G. Grey then said he begged to return his grateful thanks to the hon. members for the assistance they bad afforded him on this the last occasion of their meeting together. In after times they might look back with pride and satisfaction on their labours, and be thought it would then be admitted that the measures passed by them had tended greatly to the prosperity of the colony. Tbe affairs of the colony would pass into the hands of the new legislature in as great a state of prosperity as that of any country could possibly be, and when the difficulties they had had to encounter were considered this was no small meed of praise. With these few observations and again thanking them for their assistance he would now adjourn the Council sine die .