TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.

Dunstan Times, Issue 587, 18 July 1873, Page 2

TELEGRAPHIC DESPATCHES.

—o— Dunedin, Jci.v IC. The Colonial parliament was opened yesterday. Tho Governor’s speech congratulated tho colony on its prosperity. Tho principal subjects referred to as follows : —Whilst the Government were anxious to re-open tho Californian service, they were only disposed to do sq on terms which would do justice to she requirements of the colony, and not separate it from use of the Suez service. The Government have left tho Waikato criminals to the ordinary operations of the law. That operation may not be early in a district still remote from European settlement, in which the criminals have taken refuge ; hut the Government while mindful <>f the requirements of justice, and of tho protection of tho industrious inhabitants, had not doomed it expedient by precipitate measures to risk distu-banco of tbo generally S'peaceful condition of tbo country. Tho following measures were proposed to he legislated upon ; —Bill to initiate reconstruction of the constitution of tho Legislative Council; to amend tho law relating to Gold-fields ; to provide for education ; to consolidate laws relating to prisons ; to amend and consolidate electoral laws; to establish a copper and silver mint; to amend the insolvency laws, and abolish imprisonment for debt ; io provide for elections in Native districts to Council ; to amend the law relating to Native lauds ; and to give increased security to persons insuring their lives. Webb moves the reply to address on Thursday. Fox gave notice that ho intends to move Seymour as Chairman of tho Committee's. Vogel is still ill and not able to attend tho House. The Estimates propose an increase of Superintendent’s salary to IfltO/., and an increase in salaries of all civil servants. Turnbull made Financial Statement yesterday. 110 congratulated the province on tbo prevailing prosperity. They commenced the year with a debit account of 44,638/., revenue estimated at 267,800/.; while the actual receipts were 311,554/. tho excess chiafiy land revenue, which exceeded the estimate by 73,751/. This year commences with a credit balance of 13,140/. ; ordinary revenue for tho current year estimated at 417,000/. —to which was to be added 20,500/., proposed to be spent ou increased school accommodation, and 05,743/ unexpended of tho balance of North Otago Loan—making a total of 503,243/. Crown lands sales are put down 200,000/., which the Treasurer thinks will lie exceeded, as, up to Juno 30, the actual receipts from that source wore 140,000/.. Ho thinks, in view of tho country seizing landed estate, we either ought to sell it or reserve it for charita 1 10, educational, and public purposes. Tho proposed appropriations aro 518,038/. While improving the position of public servants, which ho thought an act of justice, in view of tho prosperity of the province, the Government would ask them to work longer hours.

The Council last night passed a resolution giving the two islands up Lake Wakaiip as an endowment to the Corporation of Queenstown.