Chap. VII. CONSTITUTION RATIFIED BY NATIVE CHIEFS. 215 
Adelaide made themselves acquainted witli the respec- 
tive merits of the two sites for the town, and gave 
their voices almost unanimously in favour of Thorn- 
don. It was therefore decided to commence the 
survey of that district. This change of course caused 
some delay, as the time already spent in cutting lines 
and laying out the streets in the valley of the Hutt 
became almost useless. It was doubtless, however, a 
wise change. 
The machinery of the provisional government being 
now complete, the ratification of the chiefs of Port 
Nicholson was obtained to its Constitution, and the 
Committee was approved and empowered by them as a 
" Council." Measures were put in readiness for all 
sorts of public works ; the appointment of officers, the 
regulation of finances, and the selection of sites for a 
powder-magazine, infirmary, and other public institu- 
tions, were considered; and the note of organization 
and arrangement sounded busily in all quarters. 
