THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

Auckland Star, Volume II, Issue 497, 14 August 1871, Page 2

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

[BY PIGEON EXPRESS.]

[ebom ouh special correspondent.]

WELLINGTON

Monday, August 14, 2.35 p.m. The first session of the fifth Parliament! of New Zealand was opened to-day, by His Excellency in person, at two o'clock. The weather was exceedingly unfavourable, a strong gale, "with rain and sleet, blowing during the time that the Governor proceeded to the Houses of Legislature. Notwithstanding, there was a largo muster of and His Excellency was received with the usual salute and military honors. The Eifle Volunteers and the Armed Constabulary took the position opposite the Houses of Parliament about a quarter to two in a storm of blinding rain. There were not many spectators, and the reception given to Her Majesty's Representative was no doubt influenced by.the inclemency of the weather. There was a feeble attempt at a cheer, to which the Governor bowed his acknowledgments as gracefully as he could, while holding on his hat with both hands. Inside the Chamber of Peers there was a brilliant array of Wellington beauty, although the absence of Lady Bowon, owing to indisposition, was a subject of regret On the members of the House of .Representatives being summoned to the Vice-Eegal presence, His Excellency read the following speech :—

honorable legislative councillors, aud Q-entlemen op the House of Repeesentativj33,—

It affords me much pleasure to meet with you for the first time, and have recourse to your assistance and advice. I have to congratulate you on tho improved appearance of this Assembly, consisting, as it evidently does, iof gentlemen of intelligence anil respectability, and affording a marked contrast to the assemblage that recently sat witlnn these chamber*. I am happy to bo able to announce that my relations with foreign powers is of the most friendly description. The unhappy occurrence of hostilities ■between France and Prussia, which for a time had a threatening aspect for the peace of the world, has been brought to a close; while our relations with America have become of the Bio.-t aniicablo kind, owing to the 'settlement of the Alabama question and the establishment of the Sau Francisco mail service by Mr. Vogel. Te Kooti is still v fugitive, but I have the utmost confidence that through the efforts of my trusty allies, Bopata, "Kemp, and others, this archrebel will in a few days be brought to justice. I am huppy to stato that Mere Kuru has been deposed from authority, and that now the Queen's writ can run through the length ami breadth of the land.

It affords me much gratiQcation to stale that Government Houso has been completed, so that iv future while attending to the bir ilieas of the country I shall bo able to reside in the bosom of my family. Despatches from J the Secretary of State on this subject will be Bubutitfcrl to you. I urn happy to congratulate you on the high sta|f> of efficiency attained by the Militia, Volunteers, and Armed Constabulary. During ' my various tours through the colony I havo observed a marked improvement in the manner of ' paying the customary honors to the ftepresentntive of Her MRJcsty. Copies of despatches forwarded to the Colonial Office on this subject v :'l bo submitted to you. You will be plensed to leain that the Loan, which obtained tho sanction of your predecessors in last session of Parliament, has been successfully negotiated, and that tho money, in current coin of the realm, is now on its way to the colony, several vessels having been specially' chartered for the purpose, in order that no delay may occur in the initiation of the various public works to be undertaken. A schedule of these works will be 'submitted for yDur upproval, which you will find to have beep framed expressly for rcpo|ring the evils consequent on tho disturbances in the North Island. Among these works you will find included the formation of a line of, railway from Auckland to Wellington, with connections from Taupo to Napier on the one hand, and Taranaki and Whanganui on the other, and a continuation from Auckland to Mongonui, with a tramway continuation to the North Cape. The necessity of cutting a ship canal, connecting the Waitemata with the Manukau, and another connecting the latter bay with the Waikato, capable of admitting Her Majesty's war vessels, will be admitted ; while the formation of a graving dook at Auckland, capublo of receiving the largest vessels iv the navy, will be necessary, as that port must bo the basis of the naval and strategic operations for the pacification and defence of the colony. Despatches with reference to these works from Her Majesty's Government will be submitted to you. < ■. \ , ,

GENTLEMEN OP ~>TKB HotTSE OP BePßESßNtatitjjs, —You will find that the Estimates have been framed with a due regard to economy in as far as was consistent with the efficient discharge of public business and the performance of the important works embraced •in the colonisation scheme of my responsible advisers.

HONOBABLB Q-EKTI.EIIEH AHJft &EBTZBHEV, I urn happy to inform you that arrangements have been completed for the immediate submergence of a telegraphio cable between the Australian Continent and New Zealand. The rapid advances made by the South Australian and Queensland Governments in stretching the wire ncross Australia, and the efforts of the British Australian Telegraph Company afford the prospect that before the-.dose of' the year 'the capitals.? oft Australia wjll be in electric communication with London. In order that no time may be lost, a contract has been entered into, and the cable is now on its way by the San Francisco route, in charge of the Colonial Treasurer. Despatches on the subject will be submitted. Your attention will be called to consider the state of the country, and.the best; means of reviving trade and commerce; the encouragement of local industries, and the" development of the mineral resources of the colony. Bills relating to these subjects will be laid before you. Amongst other subjects you will be called on to consider the Bank-, ruptoy. Laws, the education pf, the youth .pfj the colony, the regulation of! wonwuvfl rights,' the sale aud transfer of scrip, and the abuses in the management of mining interests.

I trust that in relianco on Divino wisdom you will give your best consideration to the various subjects that may bo submitted, and that by your judicious legislation and the

Diline blessing the peace tud prosperity of the colony will be secured.

At the conclusion of the speech Hia Excellency was loudly cheered, and it was evident that some of the Opposition, and especially the Auckland members, were stunned at the magnificent programme submitted. Seeing the favour-, able impression created, it was adroitly arranged by the Ministerial party that an unusually short adjournment should take place. The Houses have at the present adjourned from labor to refreshment, and the evening sitting will take place at a quarter to three o'clock. As the pigeons seem in splendid condition, I may be able to forwardyou the opening proceedings in time for press. It is clear that there will be defection in the ranks of the Opposition. ', ;