MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

New Zealand Colonist and Port Nicholson Advertiser, Volume I, Issue 88, 2 June 1843, Page 2

MUNICIPAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, Ma-y. 31, LS43. COUNCIL MET. _ Present—Mr. Hunter, Mayor, ,in the chair.. Messrs. ! Aldermen Guyton, Waitt, Scott,. Fitzherbert, Jenkins, Johnspn, Lyon. A letter from the Surveyor- General respecting the authentic copy ..o’f the town of Wellington, read. A letter from the Colonial Secretary respecting the extension of the cattle trespass ordinance to the town of Wellington, read. Mr. Fitzherbert proposed, arid' Mr. Guyton* seconded—’-That the Mayor, Mr. Waitt, Mr.. Jenkins, Mr, Johnson, and Mr. Lyon,, be appointed for a road committee, to superintend the operation, of the Town Surveyor. Agreed to nem. con. .v. Letter from Messrs. Brewer and BaitLway te* read, and ordered to lie on the tublfev. Notice ,of Motion for Saturday-,. 3d> June. Mr. Lyon That the Town Surveyor be instructed to survey the town belt, < and lay it out in lots to be let on improving leases of fourteen years, the same, to be.: offered to public, competition. Mr, Johnson—That the Town Clerk be empowered to receive tenders for taking leases o£ the water-frontages belonging to the corporation. '

' Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland, May 12, 1843. Sir, —A communication has been received at this office from the Hon. H. W. Petre, chairman of the Homan Catholic Church Committee, at Wellington, on the subject of the ground to be appropriated for a place of Divine .Worship for the Roman Catholics of that Town ; in .which that gentleman states, that the Reserve, marked Pon the Company’s Plan, is barely sufficient for the erection of a Church and School House, and requests that it may be granted entire to the Catholics, and not apportioned, as contemplated, between the Roman Catholic and Scotch Churches. With reference to this case, as well as with a view to the disposition of all the Reserves for public purposes in the Town of Wellington, I am desired by his Excellency the Officer administering the Government, to request that you will favor him, by becoming one of a Board, to consist of the Principal Agent of the New Zealand Company, the Police Magistrate, and yourself, in whom will vest the power of disposing of this and other Public Reserves, in such a manner as may be considered most conducive to the benefit of the Pown, Raving due consideration to the claims of all denominations of Christians.

I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, . (for the Colonial Secretary) WILLIAM CONNELL The Worshipful the Mayor of Wellington.

Colonial Secretary's Office, Auckland , 20 May , 1843

Sir, — I have had the honour to receive, and lay before the Officer administering the Government, your letter of the 3d instant, enclosing a Memorial agreed to at a meeting of the Inhabitants of Wellington, suggesting certain alterations in the present mode of administering Justice in civil cases,more especially with reference to small debts ; and complaining of the amount of costs which attend suits for the recovery of the same.

In reply, I am commanded by his Excellency to acquaint you, for the information of the Memorialists, that on reference to the Law Officers of the Crown, it appears that some misconception exists as to the present practice of the County Court in this colony. The Memorialists will, no doubt, be glad to be informed that there is nothing in the County Court Ordinance to prevent a suitor from conducting his own case. It may also be satisfactory for them to know that the costs of suits for the recovery of debt-: under five pounds have recently been reduced one half by the Chief Justice. In conclusion, I am desired to state, that his Excellency entertains no doubt that the Legislative Council of the colony will, from time to time, pass such enactments for the better administration of justice as experience may prove to be desirable for the general interests of the Colonists.

I have the honor to be, Sir, Your most obedient servant, (for the Colonial Secretary) JAS. STUART FREEMAN. Chief Clerk

The Worshipful the Mayor of Wellington