PROROGATION OF THE ASSEMBLY.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 721, 14 September 1870, Page 2

PROROGATION OF THE ASSEMBLY.

His Excellency the Governor delivered the following speech : — Honorable Legislative Councillors, and gentlemen of the House of Representatives — I thank you for the assiduity with which you have devoted yourselves to the consideration of the welfare of the country, and for the care you have bestowed on the various important subjects to which I invited your attention at the commencement of fche session. I sincerely hope that the large measures you have passed for the purpose of promoting public works, encouraging immigration, and developing the resources of the country will be the means of reviving that spirit of colonisation which led to the foundation of this colony, and which must be the basis of its. future prosperity. When I consider how small a portion of the country has yet been colonised, and how small a population occupies it, I cannot fail" to observe that the responsibility of a great work rests, not only on this but on future generations. By measures of such a character aa those you have lately passed, the redundant capital and population of the parent country can be made available to supply the wants of the colony. An essential feature of these measures is the beneficial influence which they will necessarily have on the peace of the country, in the settlement of the Native difficulties. To both races it must be a source of profound gratification that you have determined to continue an essentially peaceful policy, and I congratulate you on the disposition which the Natives evince to reciprocate your conciliatory intentions. The presence of Her Majesty's Bhipa of war on this station has had a most beneficial effect, and the services of Commodore Lambert, C.8., and the officers and men under his command, are recognised through the colony with gratitude. • Gentlemen of the House of Representatives — I thank you for thesuppließ which you have granted for the public service of the year. They shall be administered with all due care. Honourable Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives — I cannot but congratulate you on the friendly feeling towards New Zealand which the Commissioners sent to Great Britain to communicate with the Imperial Government have succeeded in establishing. The adoption of the Torrens system of land transfer, which haß for some years past worked with great success in ■ South Australia and other neighbouring colonies, will no doubt be attended here with the same advantages as elsewhere. It will simplify the complicated law of landed estate, and make it as easily transferable as any other species of property. Although apparently a mere administrative improvement, this measure really embodies a great social and economical reform. The Act which provides for the use of the Ballot in the election of members of the House of Representatives and Provincial Coun- j cils will, I hope, prove a useful measure by facilitating the taking of votes and securing the franchise from abuse. I congratulate you on your desire to increase the trade of the colony and extend its connexion with the rest of the world, as evidenced by making provision for a mail service to England via San Eraneisco, and by several measures of commercial importance which have been passed during the session. The Act for re-uniting the Provinces of Otago and Southland, and that for re-adjusting the financial relations of the colony, and provinces afford proof of the elasticity of existing institutions of the country, and the readiness with which modifications to suit the change of circumstances can be effected. lam sure you

will join with me in deploring the intelligence just received of the commencement of a great European war, and in hoping that it will soon be brought to a close, and that the friendly relations of Great Britain with foreign countries may not be imperilled. In releasing you from your labours, I will express a hope that under the blessing of God they will be found the means of advancing the prosperity of the country, and of consolidating peaceful relations between the two races which inhabit it, and in promoting their general welfare.