Friday, February 22.

The Council met pursuant to adjournment. Present : — The Speaker and 19 members. Writ for Pensioner Settlements. Mr. Witlh.msox had the following notice on the paper: — "Toabk the hoi. member for the Bay of Islands, with reference to the election of a member for the Pensioner Settlements, in room of Mr. Powditch, resigned, whether his Honour the Superintendent has yet complied with the provisions of the 12th clause of the Constitution Act, which requires that whenever the Superintendent shall be satisfied that the seat of any member of the Provincial Council shall become v.acaot, he 'shall, forthwith, issue a writ for the election of a new member to serve in the place so vacated.' " " Also, to ask the same hon. member on what day his Honour the Superintendent received Mr. Powditch's lettei of resignation. As he (Mr . W.) understood that the writ had at length been issued, he would confine himself to the latter question. The Provincial Secretary, said that as both questions were embodied in one, he would answer both. The writ had been issued ; and Mr. Powditch's letter was received on the 9th February. Committee on the Accommodation of the Press. Mr. J. O'Neill moved that the report of the Committee on the Accommodation of the Press be adopted. Agreed to. Stwdinff Rules and Orders. The Provincial Secretary moved that, -with reference to the second clause omitted of the Interpretation Bill, that the Standing Rules and Orders be reconsidered. Agreed to. The Provincial Secretary then moved that Standing Oulor No. 37 be amended, by striking out the words " the question shall be put that," in the second line. — Agreed to. Cattle Brand-ing Bill. This Bill was re-considered in Committee, and several new clauses, in lieu, of others struck out, were agreed to,.

i On the Council resuming, Mr. May mored that thi 1 Cattle Branding Bill be printed with amendments. Agreed to. Pre-emptive Land Claims Bill. The next order of the day be ing that the Pre-emptita Land Claims Bill be considered in Committee, Mr» Meiriman moved the following ss an amendment .— • " That the Pre-emptive Land Claims Bill be referred t» a Select Committee, such Committee to consist o Messrs. Carleton, Bedggood, Dignan, Itoylaa, «nd thff movei." — Amendment agreed to. Impounding Bit!. This Bill was further considered ia Committee, and its further consideration set down aa an order of the rfajr for Tuesday. The Council having resumed, was arfjoorned till Tuesday (this day.)