GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XXII, Issue 1331, 15 December 1864, Page 2 (Supplement)

GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

v : - SPECIAL SESSION. In accordance with his Excellency's proclamation to that effect, the special session of the Parliament of New Zealand was opened on the 24th November. The time -appointed was two o'clock, and about half-an-hour before that time a detachment of the 14th Regiment, m command of Major Strange, marched on to the green in front of the Gouncil Chambers and took their position in open order as a guard of honour, they being preceded by the band of. the 50th Regiment, wtifeh took up their position immediately in their rear. A detachment of the Auckland Armed Police Force, under command of Sergeant-Msg or Meredith, shortly afterwads arrived, and were drawn.up in front of the entrance to the Legislative Council Chambers. „ , , ... Punctually to the time appointed, the artillery from Fort Britomart gave forth a salute of eight guns, and his Excellency, attended by a large staff of military and naval officers, made his appearance. As the cortege neartd the Chambers the band struck up the National Anthem, the guard of honour presented, and his Excellency and suite entered the Legislative Council Chamber. Among the large staff of military and naval officers in attendance on his Excellency, we noticed General Galloway, Commodore Sir William Wiseman, Colonel Waddy, 58th Regiment ; Colonel Mould, Major De Quiricey, Colonel Balneavis, Commissary Jones, Captain Holt, private secretary; Captain Bulkeley, A.D.C.; Captain Fen wick of the Hamer; a&d Mr. Goring, Clerk of the Executive Council. Ift ihe Legislative Council Chamber there was a very fall attendance of members, and there were so many ladies that it was found difficult to make room for them. There was also a large attendance of persons who had the en'ree to the Chamber, so large indeed that it was difficult either to stand or sit. ' The members having previously taken their'seats, the Hon. Thomas Houghton Bartley, President of the Council, entered the Chamber ten minutes to two o'clock, all present rising until he had taken his seat. Immediately on taking his seat the President rose and proceeded to read his Excellency's proclamation calling the Assembly together, and the Proclamation further proroguing the meeting of the two Houses. This ceremony concluded, the booming of the gqns at Fort Britomart announced the approach of the Representative of Her Majesty, and the President then vacated the chair. His Excellency and suits then entered the Chain ber, his Excellency walking up to the President's chair and taking his seat thereon. On his Excel- j lency being seated, the usher of the Council announced the members of the House of Representatives, who followed, with Dr. Monroe, the Speaker of the House, at their head. So many of the members of the House of Representatives as couM find standing room within the Chamber having Tanged themselves on the left-hand side of the Chamber, His Excellency Sir George Grey read the following speech in a clear and distinct voice, that was perfectly audible throughout the Chamber. "Honourable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council— " Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— " The state of the colony and the resignation of my late responsible advisers have rendered it imperative upon me to call you together at an unusual season, and I have to thank you for the readiness with which you have answered that summons. " With the least possible delay I have appointed gentlemen of both Houses of the Legislature as my cohstitutiohal'advisers. "The thanks of the colony are due to LieutenantGeneral Sir Duncan Cameron, and Commodore Sir William Wiseman, and to the officers and men of her Majesty's army and navy, and of the colonial forces, who by a series of gallant and succesful operations have driven the • insurgent natives from districts hitherto the head-quarters of disaffection. I very deeply regret that the accomplishment of this object has involved the loss of so . many lives, valuable alike to this colony and to their country. "Steps will be taken with the least possible delay to secure the peace of the country, by setting apart defined portions of the lands of rebel natives for the purpose of satisfying the engagements with military and other permanent settlers, and indemnifying the colony to a reasonable extent by the sale of portions thereof, for expenditure incurred in the suppression of the present rebellion. " Acting on my individual responsibility I have offered certain terms of pardon to natives nowin arms against her Majesty's authority. They will be laid biforeyou. "I regret that the province of Taranaki and the* Ngatiruanui country still remain in a state of disturbance, and. it is my intention promptly and energetically to take such steps as may appear best calculated to restore order in these districts, and to place the settlement of Taranaki on a firm and •ecure footing. "To forward this end ft bill will be laid before you to enable the Government to acquire land for the construction of main lines of road through these districts arid others in the Northern Island. " Her Majesty having seen fit to entrust to me large and discretionary power so long as the colony accepts the aid of British troops for the suppression of internal disturbances, it will be your duty to consider whether the time has arrived when the colony may depend upon its own resources for its internal defence, and the Governor be thereby enabled to be guided entirely by the recommendations of his constitutional advisers in native as well as in ordinary matters, excepting in only such as may directly concern Imperial interests and the prerogative of the Crown.

"In accordance with the decision of Commissioners acting under resolutions of both Houses of Legislature; I propose immediately to remove the seat of Government to Wellington. "Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. The financial position of the colony will require your mdst serious consideration. Her Majesty's Home Government has offered to guarantee one million of the'loan authorised by your act of last session, but a due regard to the just rights of former creditors and to 'engagements entered into with the provinces, without detriment to any just claims preferred by'ltqme Government, probably prevent your acceptance of the offer. Nevertheless I entertain a confident belief that the steadily increasing wealth *nd revenue of this colony will enable if to provide the means required for restoring and maintaining its "llfonorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives* H A contrkct -havingbeen entered into byanaccredIted'sgent of the colony with an English company for the establishment of a -postal service ijy wayof Panama, it will 'prdbably appear to you thiit. the •credit of the colony requires that such contract should beconflrmed; subject to reasonable mbdifica'tlons on points of detail. - The contract will be laid 'before you. !; nf "\V "It' Will be my duty-during" the next, recess, to •collect such information as may afford matertals

for a re-adjustment of the representation of the colony. u The discovery of new gold-flelds in the Southern Island, the satisfactory prospects of the ddor ones; the progress ot commercial, agricultural unci pastoral enterprise in those portions of the colony which have not tieen subject to native disturbances, are evidences of its substantial progress. « Bearing in mind the espepiat circumstances of this session, and -the condition of the colotiy at the present moment, it is probable that tho consideration; of manyimportant' subjects must be deferred until inottier not distant meeting of tho Assombly, I doubt not, however, that with the blessing, of Divine Providence, your deliberations may tend to rescue the colony from its difficulties, and to conduce to the ultimate prosperity of both races of its inhabitants."

His Excellency and suite then withdrew, and the members of the House of Representatives returned to their chamber.