MEETING OF COUNCIL.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 60, 24 February 1843, Page 2

MEETING OF COUNCIL.

Wednesday, Feb. 22. Present, Mr. Hunter in the Chair. Mr. Lyon, Mr. Waitt, Mr. Jenkins, Mr. Scott, Mr. Johnson, Mr. Guyton. Minutes of former meeting confirmed. Mr. Hunter informed the Council, that on the return of the Governor, he informed his Excellency that by a resolution of the Council, which was carried by a majority of two to one, the Council had determined that he be requested to proclaim the whole town. In answer to which his Excellency expressed his consent so to do, with the exception of the pahs. Mr. Hunter stated, that in consequence of the continued depredation committed of timber on the public reserves, that he had, on consulting the town clerk, requested he would have a person sworn in' as a special constable, for the purpose of protecting the same ; and that he had on his own responsibility taken upon himself to employ the individual until he could collect the opinion of the Council. Mr. Hunter then proposed, and Mr. Johnson seconded the motion. That a constable be appointed as conservator of the public reserves, as well as all timber, whether trees or brush, growing or standing upon that portion of the town set out for public streets or roads; and that printed boards be placed in conspicuous parts of the same, cautioning all persons from trespassing on, or cutting the same. Agreed to nem. con .

Mr. Hunter stated, that sometime ago the Council, as would be seen by their former minutes, had applied to the Police Magistrate to request he would put the constables in charge of the hard labour prisoners, under the direc-

tion of the Corporation, as to the parts of the public roads they should be employed upon ; that he had returned for answer that he would take the earliest opportunity of learning his Excellency's pleasure upon that subject. That upon application to the present Police Magistrate, he had been informed that he was not aware of any communication on that subject being in the office ; but that since the retirement of Mr. Murphy, the offices of Sheriff and Police Magistrate had been separated, and consequently he had no longer any control ovei the prisoners committed to hard labour. He stated also that he did not think the Corporation could look for their services for sometime at least, as he knew they were now employed in digging the foundation of the intended new gaol on Mount Cook. After some desultory conversation on the subject of the comparatively small portion of the gross revenue which was expended upon this settlement, as compared with the amount collected, and suggesting the expediency of a public meeting, it was resolved to address his Excellency upon that and other subjects connected with the state of the administration of the affairs of the Colony in general, and Port Nicholson in particular, as in duty bound. The Council adjourned sine die.