New Zealand Spectator AND COOK’S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, June 7, 1851.

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 610, 7 June 1851, Page 2

New Zealand Spectator AND COOK’S STRAIT GUARDIAN. Saturday, June 7, 1851.

The principal measure which has engaged the attention of the Council during the present week has been the Customs Bill, which has been considered in Committee and the duties on enumerated articles disposed of, except those on spirits, wines, and tobacco, which have been deferred for the present. The change to be effected by this bill in the mode of collecting duties in New Zealand, from an Ad valorem to a fixed rate in the greater number of articles subject to duty, is one which has been greatly desired and the result of this change will be to increase the amount of revenue. From the discussions on this measure, it will be seen that the principles by which the Governor-in-Chief has been guided in fram. ing this measure are of the most liberal kind. The principal object of the bill is to collect a revenue for defraying the expense of Government, and to effect this he has adopted the schedule drawn up by the Committee of the Provincial Council, the calculations of which are based on the average rate of duties now ih force. But His Excellency appears disposed to adopt the most liberal, and therefore the wisest, policy with respect to those articles which are required by the principal interests of the Colony, and by the remission or reduction of duty on which those interests would be fostered and

encouraged. The remission of duty the proposed remission o f marine stores for vessels engaged 1 '- 8 coasting trade, and the contemplated m tion of duty on tobacco in f avour I pastoral interests, are gratifying - <M this liberal policy, and of the desire°° I actuates His Excellency of givin * | facility and assistance, vernment, to the enterprise of baU , G °' I

A meeting of the Provisional Com • I appointed by the Members of the I England for the purpose of promotin^S' ll l catioe in this District, was held at St p I Church, sth Jnne, 1850, the Rev R r?' 5 I M.A., in the chair. * ‘ °* e » I The Secretary reported that the T) I tions already subscribed amounted I £2Ol 13s. and the Yearly SubscrintiL J° I £54 13s. 6d. Mr. Kelham requested permission to re I sign the office of Honorary Secretarv ,u I ing already to perform the duties of one tf I the Trustees of the Archdeaconry p un d I The following resolutions were unanimously :— r I Moved by Mr. Raymond, seconded l Mr. St. Hill— ■ e That the Committee regret Mr. Kelham’in. I signation of the Secretaryship, and thank him" for the services he has already rendered. ” Moved by Mr. St. Hill, seconded by Mr, Spinks— ’ | That Mr. Raymond be appointed Honoran Secretary and Treasurer. 1 Moved by Mr. Godfrey Thomas, seconded by Mr. Stokes— That the Secretary be requested to communicate with the Lord Bishop of New Zealand upon the subject of the proposed schools, to be established in Wellington, and to solicit hii Lordship’s concurrence and co-operation. Moved bv Mr. Raymond, seconded by Mr. St. Hill— That the Secretary be requested to commanicate with the Government of New Munster upon the subject of a grant of land for the site of the proposed Schools. The Meeting then adjourned to the first Thursday in July.