OPENING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume 12, Issue 960, 14 July 1868, Page 2

OPENING OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Bx Ei/Bctkic Telegbafh.l Wellington, Monday, 624 p.m. The General Assembly was opened on Thursday, 9th inst., with a short speech from His Excellency Sir George Bowen. After announcing his assumption of office, expressing regret at the disappointment felt by the colony at not receiving the expected visit of the Duke, of Edinburgh, and stating his intention to visit the remainder of the settled districts upon the session of the Assembly being over, His Excellency stated that the Colonial Treasurer had succeeded in settling disputed accounts between the Imperial and Colonial Governments Ir-^that the working of the Weslland, County Act had shewn the necessity for considerable amendments, which will be introduced, but that, on the whole, its operation might be considered satisfactory ; — that the estimates had been resolutely reduced to the lowest amount consistent with efficiency; — that, notwithstanding the commercial depression that prevailed, there would be no need of additional taxation if the resources of the colony were not further anticipated by loans ; — and that a Bill would be introduced for securing to rural districts powers for effecting public works necessary for their progress, and iillotiing them a fair J share of the land fund. The fin. 1 C^nciiOi'ng. paragraphs state that bills on distillation, real property, registration of 'deeds, police offences, trade frauds, and treason, 'will be introduced.' ' The report "of ' the" prison commissioners would be . submitted.. In conclusion, he hoped that the . good . sense, patience, and mutual forbearance of the mr habitants of the colony would 'gradually adr just its finances and political constitution. On Friday the 10th, Mr. Ball, one of the Auckland members',' moved .a reply to the address, which was seconded by Mr. Reid of Otago, and carried after a few speeches, short and flat. Only two-thirds of the members having" aitfived— -none from Taranaki, Hawke's Bay, W.estland,,, or Wangiinui — the House was .then adjourned till Tuesday (this day.) ... - •-■ ■ The Westland Cdunty Act has been ! declared by the Duk.e of Buckingham to be ultra vires, and he sends out the draft of a short bill intended for' the Imperial Parliament to validate' the same, but which the Attorney General here considers will still leave the legality of tbe Act referred . t ) " open to grave doubts," if certain alterations proposed by him be not embodied. These alterations were sent to the Duke of Buckingham by the May Panama, mail. . Advices from the north make the Go-, yernment uneasy in reference to the effects of some new superstition among the natives. If developed at all, it will be at Waikato this month. Instructions have been issued to the Government officers there to be on the alert. Mr. Fox is expected to arrive in Wellington to-morrow.