MESSAGE, No. 18.

Votes and Proceedings of the House of Representatives, 1854 Session I-II

MESSAGE, No. 18.

His Excellency the Officer administering the Government transmits to tke House of Hepresentotives the following Resolutions passed by the Council for the Province of Auckland. Resolution dated 27th January 1854. requesting establishment of an Ocean Penny Postage. Resolution dated 2nd February 185 4, respecting enlargement of the powers of Provincial Councils. Resolution dated 2nd February 1854, respecting reservation of one moiety of the Forest Lands of the Crown. R. H. Wynvakd, Government House, Auckland, 20th July, 1854.

Superintendent's Office, Auckland, Bth February, 1854. Sir. - I have the honour to enclose copies of Resolutions adopted by the Provincial Council, with the request that you will lay the same before His Excellency the Officer administering the Government for his consideration and decision. I have, &c., (Signed) R. H. Wtnyard, Superintendent. The Honourab'e The Colonial Secretary. &c., &c., &c. EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Friday,27th January, 1854. Resolved— That His Honour the Superintendent be respectfully requested to move the Officer administering the Government lo secure for New Zealand as early as possible, the advantages of an Ocean Penny Postage, True Extract, (Signed) T. H. Babtley, Speaker. EXTRACT FROM THE MINUTES OF THE PROCEEDINGS OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. r ■ , Thursday, 2nd February 1854. Resolved— That it is the opinion of this Council that with a view to the harmonious working of the New Constitution, it is very desirable that the powers of the Provincial Councils be enlarged, so as to enable them to legislate finally upon all subjects affecting the local interests of the respective Provinces. And that the action of the General Assembly be confined to such matters as affect the interests of these islands taken as a whole. That this Council desires to express its full confidence that the General Assembly will in exercise of the powers vested in them by the Constitution Act, adopt such measures to amend the Constitution as may, when approved of by Her Majesty confer upon the Provincial Legislatures the complete and effectual control of the affairs of their respective Provinees. That in the opinion of this Council the management of the Public Lands of the Province, the price and terms of sale or lease, and all other matters relating thereto, are local and not general interests, and as such ought to be entrusted to the Provincial Legislatures. That recognising the late Regulations for the sale of land as a boon, this Council is of opinion that any legislation tending to raise the price of the public lands would be highly injurious to the interests of the Province, and adversesto the earnest wishes of the community. That these resolutions be communicated through His Honour the Superintendent to the Officer administering the Government, with a request that His Excellency will be pleased to lay them before the General Assembly, together with a Bill embodying the piinciples contained in them. True extract, (Signed) T. H. Bartlet, Speaker,

extract from the minutes of the proceedings OF TH2 PROVINCIAL COUNCIL. Thursday, 2nd February 1854. Resolved— That his Honour the Superintendent be respectfully requested to represent to the General Government, that it is the wish of this Council, that one half of all the Forest Lands, at present at the disposal of the General Assembly be reserved for public purposes; and also one half of all Forests that may hereafter be alienated from the Aborigines ; and that the Surveyor General be instructed to have su«h Forests properly defined by bearings, and if possible natural landmarks, as soon as practicable. True Extract. (Signed) T. H. Bartliy, Speaker.