Friday, 28th July.

Otago Witness, Issue 714, 5 August 1865, Page 8

Friday, 28th July.

The House again met at two o'clock, and after sundry motions were movul, the hon. Major Coote rose to move the adoption of the address in reply to hi-< Excellency's speech, which was taken as follows :—: —

"To express our satisfaction that his Ex-

cellency is able to congratulate us upon the partial establishment of p< ace, and the suppression of insurrection in several of the disturbed districts of this island — to assure his Excellency that, whilst deviling means for the repression of outrages which may still occur, we will at the same time consider how to ensure the future peace of the country, and promote the union of the two races.

"To accept with satisfaction the anuouncement of his Excellency's intention to invite certain Native chiefs to meet at Wellington, and that a Bill will be laid riefore us enabling him to appoint from among them a Commission, to report and advice upon the best means of obtaining a Parliamentary representation tf the Native race.

"' To express our gratification at learning that the Resolutions passed by the respective Chambers ot the Legislature in the la*t session, relati\ c to the withdrawal from the colony of her Majest} 1 * Itnd forces were duly transmitted by his Excellency to her Majesty's Secrerur)' of State, and that from the tenor of his most recent despatches, we are led to inter that tha policy agreed to by us has been approved of and will be fully adopted by the florae Government.

"To inform his Excellency (hat we are aware that the Taranaki and Wanganui country has long been a focus of disaffection and fanaticism ; and that peace cannot be real or lasting which is not preceded by the establishment of her Mnjesty's authority in these districts, to be permanently secured by the opening of roads, and the formation of self-defendin<r b'et!l< j ments.

" To express our sati- faction at the course adopted by hi" ExCvlk-my, pending the decision of the Home Government, in determining to avail himself of the services of a portion of the Imperial troops so long as they remained in thr colony, for the establishment of order in the district be tvveen Taranaki and Wanjianui, and in haviug issued instructions accordingly to Lieut -General Cdnv.ro: j.

" To express our regret that contrary to his Excellency's anticipation*, considerable delay took place, which involved contequences fraught with disaster, and which led to fresh outbreaks ;n; n other parts of the colony, and thank him cordially for having ordered the colonial forces to advance against the Wereroa pah, which movement we are highly gratified to learn has resulted in its capture.

11 To acknowledge that the thanks of the colony are due to Major Rooltes commanding, and to the officers and men of her Majesty's European, Colonial and Native forces engaged in this important operation.

" To state our concurrence with his Excellencjf, in recognising als- o the readiness with which Brigadier- General "Waddy, C.B , Colonel Trevor, and the officers and men under their command, affoided him all the assistance in power, though precluded by their orders from taking any active part in the operations against the enemy's stronghold. " To express our satisfaction that in the mtpntime he is able to congratulate us on the improved state of the settlement of Taranaki, and on the immediate prospect of its ceasing to bo a source of weakness to New Zealand ; for which the colony is mainly indebted to the zeal, energy, and ability, of Colonel Warre, C.8., commanding her Majesty's forces, Imperial and Colonial, of both races under his command.

" To express our agreement in the opinion that additional proof has been afforded throughout the operations at Taranaki and Wanganui, that the colony may rely with confidence on the skill and ealtantry of its own officers and men ; whilst the devoted courage evinced by the loyal natives has placed beyond doubt the attachment of a large portion of the native race — to the Crown, to their Europeau fellow-subjects, and to the cause of l.iw and order against turbulence and fanaticism.

" To thank his Excellency for bis promise at once to issue orders for the return to England of five regiments, which, we trust and believe, will be quickly followed by the remainder of the Imperial troops. To express our satisfaction that the conditions so imposed on the colony for the full attainment of Constitutional Government, in Native, as well as ordinary affairs, will thus be fulfilled.

" To assure his Excellency that, in consequence of the changes which have taken place in the relative distribution of population and wealth in different districts, we will take into consideration the re-adjust-ment of the representation of the colony.

" To thank his Excellency for the information that, in pursuance of the powers vested in him by an Act of last session, be has agreed with the Panama, New Zealand, and Australian Royal Mail Stcara Company to confirm, subject to certain modification 1 -, tLe contract entered into with that body for the establishment of a postal service by way of Panama, and that he has also entered into an agreement with the Government of New South Wales for admitting that colon}' to an equal participation in the benefits of the contract upon terms equitable in themselves, and which will, we f'oubt not, prove equally advantageous to both colonies.

"To assure his Excellency that the completion ot these arrangements, with the means of extending 'hem to other colonies, will receive our consideration.

"To express our g atification that the recent discoveries of gold on the We3t Coast of the Middle Island have opened new fields for colonisatiuu, and given a fresh impetus to the dove opment of the material resources of the colony.

" To express our satisfaction, in common with his Excellency, in observing amongst many cases of anxiety which have clouded our prospects, the steady advance of the colony in population aud wealth, and to concur with hn Excellency in seeing no cause for anticipating any check to this onward progress, which, with God's blessing, cannot fail to carry it through difficulties temporary in themselves, and alreadybeginning to disappear."

The motion for receiving the report having been seconded, and notices of motion having be«n given, the House adjourned at half-past three o'clock until 31st July.