WELLINGTON.

Otago Witness, Issue 137, 31 December 1853, Page 2

WELLINGTON.

Opening op the Provincial Council.— The first Session of the Provincial Council of Wellington commenced on the 28th Oct. at 3 o'clock. All the Members, with the 1 exception of Mr. Bethune, .were present, arid assembled in the same Chamber that was "occupied by the former Council under Sir G. Grey. The proceedings commenced by the llev. R. Cole, M.A., reading prayers. Mr. Fitzherbert then rose and moved that the election of a Speaker

be proceeded forthwith, for until that was done .the Council was not in a position to receive any address frpm his Honour the Superintendent, nor was, in fact, even fully constiluted. After a few remarks, Mr. Fitzheibert moved that Charles Clifford, Esq. do take the chair as Speaker. Mr. S. llcvuns seconded the motion, which was put by the Clerk of Council and carried. Some difference of opinion arose whether the Speaker should take the chair before his election was confirmed by his Honour the Superintendent. It was decided," however, that the Council adjourn for a quarter of an hour in order to obtain his Honour's sanction. On the re-assem-bling of the Council a communication was received from his Honour the Superintendent confirming Mr. Clifford's election. The Speaker made a few remarks, presenting his acknowledgments for the honour they had done him, and congratulated the Province upon having completed the introduction of so important a part of the New Constitution. The Speaker then took the Chair, and the Council proceeded to business. His Honour now entered the Council Chamber, and the members and visitors rose to receive him, which he acknowledged. He then proceeded to deliver an address, which, says the Independent, " was listened to throughout with almost breathless attention, and the utmost satisfaction was apparently felt by all pressent at its general tenor." [From its extreme length and interest, we are necessarily compelled at present to pass it unnoticed till an opportunity affords of reprinting it in full.] At the close of the address his Honour withdrew. Mr. H. S. Harrison was then appointed Clerk of Council. It was also moved, seconded, and carried that the address of his Honour the Superintendent be printed. After some further unimportant proceedings, the House adjourned.

The Sydney Press and New Zealand.— By the Sydney mail brought by the William Alfred we learn that this colony is at length attracting that attention from our brother journalists which h;is been so long expected of them. The Sydney Umpire and the Sydney Herald appear to vie with each other in calling the attention of their readers to New Zealand, and in pointing out the attractions which it offers to the industious settler since the new land regulations have been in force. The Herald is of opinion that now, and for the first time, all the great expectations which had been once formed of New Zealand are in a fair way to be realized. But it is not because of the land regulations alone that the Sydney papers speak in such glowing terms of this colony. They refer also to the commerce which is is now springing up between the two colonies ; and point out the benefit which this must eventually confer on both. New South Wales is relying on New Zealand to furnish her in future with a good and constant supply of those prime necessaries of life for which the position, climate, and natural capabilities of this colony render her so well adapted, and for which New South Wales and Victoria will always furnish a ready market. With regulations on the one hand by which all the proceeds from the sale of waste lands are again returned to the land in

surveys, roads, and labour ; and, with representative institutions and local self-government on the otlier hand, New Zealand must go a-head. Nothing efan hinder her, if she only but wills it ; she has how only to put her shoulder to the wheel, and the thing is accomplished. New Zealand advance, and fulfil alike our wishes and our wants, thy mission and thy destiny!— Wellington Independent, Nov. 30.