LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Taranaki Herald, Volume XVI, Issue 834, 18 July 1868, Page 3

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL.

Thursday, July 9, 1801.— The third session of tho fourth Parliament of Now Zoalarul, was . opened nt Wellington at 2 o'clock on 9th July, and a largo attendance of visitors wero present to witness the intorosting ceremony. Tho weather was as fine as could bo desired, and an immonso concourse of the inhabitants lined tho approaches to tho Government building.?. Shortly after 2 o'clock, the Artillery Volunteers fired a ealuto of sovontcon guns, when His Excellency drove off from Government House with Lady Bowen and his aide-de-camp. The detachment of tho 18th Royal Irish with tho Rifles and tho Veterans, formed a guard of hononr at the entrance of tbo i buildings, under the command of Capt. Dawson, 18th Regiment. At tho approach of tho Governor's carriage, the troops presented arms, and the band played tho national anthem. His Exi collenoy and party, followed by the officers of H.M.S. * Rosario,' entered the hall of the Legislative Council, densely crowded already by a largo nurabor of ladies and the " Commons," preceded |by tho Sergoant-at-arms. Having been introduced, His Excellency delivered tho following address in a remarkably olear and distinct voice, I every word of which waa heard throughout tho hall :— honorable legislative councillors,— Gentlemen op tub House of Represent*. TIVES, — Since your last session I have, in obedience to Her Majesty's commands, assumed the government of this country ; and it is with great satisfaction that I now meofc you in Parliament, and resort to your advice and assistance in the con. sideration of measures which affect the welfare 6f the country. Dnring the recess preparations were made, not merely by the Government, but by the country at large, to give that hearty reception to his Royal Highness tho Duke of Edinburgh which was due to the son of our beloved Queen, .and to a .distinguished representative of tho British Nation upon the occasion of a visit to a loyal branch of the Empire. The news of the insane and. wicked .attempt upon his life in a neighboring colony called forth throughout New Zealand, as in every park of the Queen'a dominions, declarations of indignation and horvor at the attempted crime, and of deep sympathy for her Majesty. His Royal Highness was forbidden by his medical advisers to prolong his tour, but has charged me to express to the people of New Zealand the deep regret with which ho yielded to that advice, and the hope that some other opportunity may be allowed him of making the proposed visit.

Since my arrival. l have been enabled to visit | all the principal .settlements of the Northern Island, except Taranaki and Wanganui, and have received in every place conspicuous proofs [ of the attachment of the inhabitants to the [ Throne and the Empiro. I propose, after the completion of your labors, to continue my visits, and £b make myself acquainted, without | delay, with the various settled districts of these Islands which I have not yet Been. Papers will bo laid before you relative to the action taken by the Colonial Treasurer, who has been appointed, under the authority of the Loan Acts of last session, agent in England for the purposes eptoifiod in those Acts. I have tho satisfaction to inform yon that one of tho quostious I which has engaged his attention — that of the | complicated accounts between the Imperial and Colonial Governments — has been sottled, and a souroo of prolonged controversy and constant irritation consequently removed. Tho Act passed during your last session, erecting the district of Westland into a County, and making temporary provision for its government, was brought into operation on the Ist January last. While the working of this measure since that date has shown the necessity for considerable amendments, which from its provisional character might have been reasonably anticipated} the result of this important experiment may, on the whole, bo considered satisfactory, A bill will be submitted to you for effecting the various amendments which experionoo has shown to be necessary. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — The Estimates have been resolutely reduced to the lowest amount required to maintain the 1 publio service. Tho publio accounts will be laid before yon. I am happy to bo able to inform you, notwithstanding the commercial depression which this country in common with other portions of tho empire has laboured under, that if the resources of the oountry are not further anticipated by loans, thero will bo no need to impose additional burdens on tho people in order to maintain the publio oredit and an efficient Government. Honorable Gentlemen and Gentlemen,— A bill will bo submitted to you for securing to rural districts powers for effecting publio works nocessary for their progress, and for allotting to them a fair share of the land fund. My Government have not thought it advisable to exercise the very largo powers conferred by an Aot of last session for legalising the manufacture of spirits, but a bill will be introduced which will include all necessary legal provisions for enabling distillation to bo carried on. Several very important bills will also be submitted to you for declaring, amending, and consolidating tho law relating to real property, the registration of deeds, police ofifencos, frauds in trade, and other subjects ; and for assimilating the law of treason to that of Great Britain. In accordance with you V "desire; a Commission hag been appointed to inquire into the operation of the laws now in force relative to the custody aud treatment of prisoners, especially of those sentenced to long periods of imprisonment. The report of the Commission will shortly be laid before you; " Although labouring under many difficulties, and charged with the solution of intricate problems whioh- cannot be' doalt with Bammarily, I have every confidence that tho- good sense, patience, and mutual forbearance of the people of those | islands will Booure the happiest results, and will j gradually adjust the finances and the political Constitution of the Colony to the progressive requirements of the people. _ _ j I commend to your wisdom the consideration of the many important subjeots which may olaim your attention, and I pray that the blessing of God may guide your, oounsels to the promotion of j the happiness of the people of New Zealand. Friday, July 10.— Dr. Pollen moved an address to Her Majesty, expressing their sorrow and indignation at the attempted assassination of the Duke of Edinburgh.— Dr. Pollen moved for leave to bring in a bill to prevent usury, also one to regulate the trade or business of pawnbrokers.