LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IV, Issue 162, 12 April 1845, Page 23

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Tuesday, March 4, 1845.

Present — The Governor, the Colonial Secretary, the Attorney-General, the Colonial Treasurer, Frederick Whitaker, Esq., William Donnelly, Esq., and Theophilus Heale, Esq. The Rev. J. F. Churton, colonial chaplain, having read prayers. The Governor opened the session with the following address :—

Gentlemen — In addressing you at the opening of this, the fifth session of the Legislative Council of New Zealand, I may well be supposed, under the known difficulties of our present circumstances, to feel great anxiety. But difficult and embarrassing as our position is, and, for some time to come, cannot fail to be, in this colony, I believe the most dark and trying period has already passed, and that in due time we shall enjoy prosperity. We now know that the Imperial Parliament has voted an annual grant in aid of our finances ; and the knowledge of this fact may relieve our minds from a material cause of anxiety ; because, assisted by such a grant, we may hope to carry on the public business of the colony. Our commercial prospects are becoming brighter and more distinct than they were. We are exporting cargoes worth thousands of pounds each ; and the number and value of such cargoes will increase yearly. Peace, confidence, and capital are alone necessary to ensure the commercial prosperity of New Zealand. Her resources are abundant. Her productiveness is extraordinary.

There is every reason to feel confident that the just, disinterested, and Christian course ordered by her most gracious Majesty to be followed by the Local Government of this colony has already convinced the majority of the natives of New Zealand of the advantages and security which they may enjoy under the protection of such a monarch— that they entertain the most kindly and confident feelings towards her Majesty, towards the Local Government, and towards the settlers generally.

Were it not for the machinations of a few persons, some of whose wicked attempts have been discovered, and may yet bring punishment upon their authors ; were it not for such evil agency, and the pernicious effects of slanderous publications, attacking natives as well as others, the worst parts of which are speedily made known to the more intelligent chiefs ; were it not for such mischievous efforts as these, aided by bad example, this country would be undisturbed, tranquil, and prosperous.

But even under all the excitement of the last year and a half, our criminal calendar has been remarkably light, as the returns which shall be laid before you will prove. Only two cases of homicide have occurred among the whole white population of New Zealand, in neither of which was the accused pronounced guilty; and no case of murder has been brought before our Courts.

Among the aboriginal population crime is wonderfully rare, considering that they are usually armed, are unaccustomed to restraint, and, but a few years ago, were among the wildest of barbarians.

Under such circumstance?, their forbearance, self-restraint, and general tranquillity are quite wonderful : and I cannot but feel frequently vexed and disappointed by some of my own countrymen, who, heedless of such considerations, expect the New Zealanders to be, even now, without faults ; without those failings which are inseparable from our common nature.

While the natives, with the minds of children but the passions of men, are acting according to their own usages, and perhaps unintentionally offend, they are too often insulted and irritated by words, which to us may seem trifling, but to them are gall. Sometimes mutual ignorance of each other's language causes serious misunderstandings. Occasionally some of the ruder natives act in a manner which their warmest partisan could not justify. Yet, notwithstanding all this, I think we might challenge the world to show a population of one hundred aud twenty thousand souls, taken promiscuously in any country, among whom there has been a less amount of known crime than has occurred in New Zealand during the last year and a half.

May God grant that such a report may be made in future years. Much will depend on our conduct, on our justice and forbearance, and on our mutual charity of disposition towards one another.

Before I turn to matters of detail, allow me to remark ou the truly gratifying kindness of feeling that exists in this colony between persons of different religious persuasions. However zealously each may forward or defend his own opinions, which he conscientiously believes to be right, we see all working cordially together, in the same field, for the same object.

Misapprehensions may have arisen, though few and easily remedied.. The opportunities which I have had of witnessing mutual good feelings on these important objects enable me to congratulate you on the cordiality and truly kind disposition which are so prevalent.

To devise means and frame laws which may tend to meet our present difficulties and promote future stability, is now our particular duty ; and I will ask you, in the course of this session, to give your full consideration to the following measures, namely: —

A Bill for amending the Property Rate Ordinance.

A Bill for Licensing General Dealers in Imported Goods. A Bill for authorizing Rates or Tolls to be paid for the Construction or Maintenance of Roads and other Public Works.

A Bill for Levying a charge on Deeds of Grant not taken up. A Bill for Appropriating the Disposable Revenue of the Colony. A Bill for Abolishing Imprisonment for Debt, and Two Naturalization Bills. And now, gentlemen, in the hope- that our real endeavours to do our duty may be blessed, I will move the reading of the Rules of Council.

The Clerk, by the direction of the Governor, then read the Standing Rules and Orders of Council, which, on the motion of the Colonial Secretary, were confirmed.

The Governor laid on the table a Bill to amend the Property Rate Ordinance, which was ordered to be read a first time on Thursday next, the 6th instant. ' The Governo* laid on the table a Bill for Li. censing General Dealers. Ordered to be read a first time on Thursday, to which day the Council adjourned.