PROROGRATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Clutha Leader, Volume I, Issue 9, 3 September 1874, Page 5

PROROGRATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

m The General Assembly was prorogued at half past 2 o'clock on Monday. The following is fiie Governor's Speech. HONOURABLE -LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS AND GENTLEMEN' OF THK HOUSE OF REP RKSENTATIVES - I have to thank you for the attention which yon bave paid to the discbarge of your various duties during the short but very arduous session which I am now about to terminate". This is the last occasion upon which I shall have tbe honor of addressing you from, this place. I desire to assure you that in resigning the high office which I have held but for a short time, I am deeply sensi-. ble of the cons'ant courtesy and considera* tion which have been shown by all with . whom I have been brought into contact, whether officially,or in my private relations, and that in returning to a private station at home I shall retain a deip interest in the welfare of this most promising community; that I shall deem it not less a privilege thau a duty to serve its interests in so far as my humble means and opportunities may enable me. I anticipate great -bern-fit to tbe Colony from the Sate Fo estsAct which you passed —providing, as it does, for setting apart forests which will not oniy be of use iv maintaining the future industries of the Colony, but which may be expected to have a beneficial effect upon the climate and upon the pro'lucriventes of its lands. Providing, as the Act does, machinery forthe establishment of State forests, I am not disposed to regret the short delay in determining the actual positions' of forests. You have unmistakably committed the Colony to the establishment of State forests, and it will be your duty to pee thac adequate lands are provided for them, from which sufficient revenue will be obtainab'e to do justice to your intentions. You have passed many measures this sesson which will mate* .ally aid in carrying on the public eeivicts of the Colony, and in remedying the defects which experience his proved to exist. I regret that the length of the seesion did not enable you to deal with tbe question of promoting commercial intercourse with Polynesia. It is one which I hope will have your caret ul consideration, ' and it will ba the duty ot my advisers to bear in mind the large interest which New " ir.aland has in this subject, with a view of bringing it before you on a future occasion. The attention of my advisers will be earnestly given to further continuing public works, and promoting immigration, ; GENTLEMEN OE THE HOUSE OF REPRE--SENTATIVES— I acknowledge with pleasure the pro-vi.-ionsyou have made for the public service, and it will be the care of my advisers to administer them with the utmost economy consistent with efficiency. HONOURABLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES— This session will be memorable for the decisive steps which bave been; taken io the direction of abolishing the form of Provincial Government in the North Island. The opinion of the Houee of Representatives has been 'expressed by a large majority which voted in favor of .the resolutions, • -whilst the debates in the Legislative Council have left no. room to doubt that that Chamber is al.*? favorable to the proposed policy. For some* years past there has-, grown up a belief that the Provincial sys- ; tern of this island does not really afford that amount of local government people desire. The decision arrived at is memorable, also, ror a- desire which the Legislature .manifest.*, that the land fund of the Colony ''I should bt applied to suitable purposes, and as far as posible be localised. That dejrcieion must effectually do away with appre- /• hensions in any part of the country, that a change in the Provincial system would' mean absorption of the laud fund in opposition to opinions upon tbe subject which have been, confirmed during a long course of yeai*s: I tiope the Provincial Qoyern- \ meot of the North Island, loyally recognising the deeiaion of the House of Represen- ? tative?, Willi during the rec «m, exert fhenv^l selyes to their utrafost to .o manage ths^f affairs of the Proyinces as ; tq»> ; enable the Y:% projected change to bY effcct«ed next yea^-^ '-•with'therleas^ppssible-incpfiv glad to-be able itp. continue to ':i*emhd!you|§l .»f;theJnereMing^^ • /and? fiopelth^ : . -tendeiil^ow^ ; ;]»Xefsidg;s£^^ i - mal£fiselr^^ prosperous, and coWuteo^