OPENING OF PARLIAMENT,

Grey River Argus, Volume IX, Issue 688, 16 June 1870, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT,

(from our own correspondent.) Wellington, Tuesday. Parliament was opened with the usual ceremonies at 2 p.m. this day, by the Governor in person, who made the following speech :— " Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives: — - „. . "It is with great satisfaction that I have recourse to your assistance aud advice. lam glad to be able to congratulate you on the steady progress which has been made, under exceptional difficulties, during the past year, in the suppression of the rebellion . and the establishment of friendly relations with the Native race, and in the renewal of industrial enterprise in the recently disturbed districts. In referring to theseresults, it is only just that I should testify ts the ability and zeal displayed by Mr Ormond, as Agent of the General Government. " I trust that it will be your determination to continue the beneficial policy of strengthening our peaceful relations with the Natives. Active operations in the field for the protection of out settlements and for the defence of our Loyal Native fellow-subjects have been necessary during the past year. Those; operations have been conducted with considerable success by native parties under the command of the distinguished chiefs Major Kemp, Major Ropata, and Major Topia, and I greatfully recognise the valuable services which they have rendered. The conduct of the Militia, Volunteers, and Constabulary forces, deserve high commendation : . f "Correspondence will be laid before you which will niake you acquainted with the state of the negotiations conducted by the Colonial Commissioners with the Imperial Government on the subject of troops. I congratulate you on the establishment of steam communication with the principal ports of the United States on the Pacific coast. This service brings the Colony into direct intercourse with a great nation, and can hardly fail to lead to results! which confer great benefits on this ' Colony. It also provides speedy communication with Great Britain. Your attention will be invited to the depression under which the Colony now labors, consequent on the comparative suspension of colonisation during the last few years. With the view ofrenewing the great work of colonisation, proposals will.be laid before you to. provide for encouraging and aiding imn'iigragration, and for constructing "public works." " Gentlemen of the House OS 1 Representatives: •• Estimates of expenditure, pf fche ? ; coming financial year will be laid before, you. While providing for the efficiency of the public service, they will exhibit a strict regard to the economical administration of the various Departments of Government. • Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives. cl am happy to inform you that tfie' telegraph has made most satisfactory progress in various respects.. Communication is open with Patea and Taupo, and la boing - rapidly- -osiended to Ttwiranga.You.willbeglad to learn that the New Zealand Commissioners are negotiating for the construction of a cable between New Zealand and Australia, and you will be asked to consider the subject. < " The beneficient measure for promoting life assurance, which you passed last session, has been brought into operatien, and short though the time has been since that date, it gives every prospect of success. "Amongst other subjects you will be asked to give your consideration to measures to readjust the representation ; to provide for vote by ballot ; to amend the law of bankruptcy ; to enable local rates to be readily recovered from absentees; to reduce the duty on gold of an inferior quality ; to reduce the rate of interprovincial postage ; to re-unite, at their own desire, the provinces of Gtago and Southland; to facilitate the registration of titles and the transfer of land. • " I trust that the Divine Wisdom will guide [your deliberations, ;and that your; labors will result in the establishment of ] permaneut peace and the promotion of the general prosperity of the Colony."

[W. C. TIMES.]

„ June 13. The whole of the plant of ;the New Zealand Steam Company has been purchased by the directors of the Wreck Recovery Company for LIB,OOO. The Wreck Company intend this as the neucleus of a new company/ whose capital is to be L5b,090, 'in L 5 shares. Great satisfaction is felt :here at the purchase. At ,the opening of the Assembly, today, Mr Carlton acted as Speaker ia the stead of Mr Munro, who is- absent. ... Mr Carrington gave notice that he would move the Address in reply. The House adjourned -to Thursday. Mr Sewell is gazetted Minister of Justice, . -■-... Tho Maori prisoners recently iak en are to bo tried here cm the 27th inst. ' June 14. Auckland news says that an aged chief, Hapunua, an important Hau Hau of the 13 re wer a, surrendered /with five men to Mr Clarke, at Tauranga. He declared that Te Kooti was abandoned by his old followers, and there was no chance of his regaining his old power. A report comes from Taranaki from. Feast to the natives with regard to the starting of the Apunake Flax: Works. ; Mr Parris has successfully settled the difficulty between the natives ... and the flax leases. ,; . Napier, June 13. Captain Preece reports .the surrender of an Urewera haupu called Pateheuheu numbering 50" ; they came out themselves, and have been sent to Maketu. , They.. state that the remainder of the Ureweras are desirous of surrendering, but ttre afraid of tho consequences, and also state I that the Urewerss refuse to receive Te Kcoti into their country. Mr Hanilin took 200 tons of potatoes from the .Waikaremoana Han Haus, and intend attacking Tiki Tiki pih, weather permitting, on the 9th inst.' A young man- named Potter accidentally shot himself last evening, lodging tbe contents of the fowling piece in his abdomen. He died three hours afterward*.