PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 188, 19 August 1864, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

PROROGATION. His Honor the Superintendent prorogued the Council on Wednesday last on which occasion he addressed them as follows :—• Mr. Speaker and gentlemen of the Provincial Council — After an unusually long Session, I am happy to be able to release you from your duties. I take this opportunity of expressing my thanks for the care, time, and attention which you have devoted to the consideration of the various subjects brought before you. The following bills will be transmitted for his Excellency the Governor’s assent — 1 Highways 2 Sheep and Scab 3 Police 4 Loan Appropriation 5 Drainage ■ 6 Contractors 7 Fencing 8 Impounding 9 Wellington Acts Repeal 10 Deviation of Road II Hampden School-house Reserve 12 Reserve Administration 13 Appropriation 14 Mechanics’ Institute Those bills will supply a want in local legislation which has been much felt. While desirous of avoiding as much as possible, the introduction of any new laws beyond what is really necessary, I believe that those now referred to will be found essentially applicable to the growing requirements of the community. The bill for the administration of the reserves in different parts of the country for educational purposes, will, I trust, produce additional revenue for this important object, and, taken in connexion with the introduction of trained teachers, greater advantages to the rising generation may be reasonably expected. The resolution passed by you respecting the claims of this Province to its share of the£3,ooo,ooo Loan, indicating the various objects for which \-on desire that it should be apportioned will be forwarded in due course, to his Excellency’s Government. From the all but unanimous manner in which this resolution has been adopted I have every reason to expect that it will meet with that consideration which the important nature of the subject entitles it to on general as well as provincial grounds. The recent accounts from Tauranga induces the hope that peace will be established in that part the Island, and while all must appreciate the advantages of a peace concluded upon a just and reliable basis, it is nevertheless a positive duty to further the adoption of such measures by the introduction of population, and otherwise, so as to effectually prevent the possibility of such calamities within our borders, as have befallen other provinces in this Island. It is gratifying to acknowledge the very disinterested cooperation' and assistance afforded by my Executive and the Council generally, by which I have been enabled during periods of considerable difficulty, to administer this Government without the support in Council of gentlemen holding offices of emolument in .the Provincial Service. This feature alone gives the best possible proof of the independence and public spirit which characterizes The representatives of Hawke’s Ray. I have also to acknowledge the liberal manner in which the necessary supplies have been voted, and it will be my endeavor to see that the sums for public purposes are expended with regard 'to economy. It is satisfactory to bo able to notice that most of the native tribes in this Province have been led to refrain from any direct participation in the insurrectionary and fanatical acts of which various tribes in other parts of this Island have been tyI trust the state of tranquility at present enjoyed may continue. I am in hopes that before the Council is again called together, the position of native affairs Jmay be so far improved as so enable me to effect certain purchases of land, the acquisition of which would open up a field for such an enlarged scheme of immigration as must tend not only to the greater stability, but also to the development of the resources of the Province. I now declare this Council prorogued. DINNER. On Wednesday evening, His Honor the Superintendent entertained the members of Council and heads of departments to a dinner. The viands, which were supplied by Mr. Gill, were of such a nature as to please the

tastes of the most fastidious. The band of the 14th Eegiment was in attendance, and played several pieces with great credit, although perhapstheirmeritcouldscarcelybe thoroughly appreciatedowiugto tbeloud soundproduced in so comparatively small a chamber. On the removal of the cloth, His Honor, who was supported on his right by Major Dwyer, and on his left by Major Whitmore, proposed the following toasts, viz., “ The Queen,” “The Prince of Wales and the Iloyal Family,” “ The Governor,” coupled with the name of Colonel Gore Browne, and “ The Army and Navy,” the latter being responded to by Major Dwyer. “ His Honor the Superintendent,” was then proposed by Major Whitmore in enlogistic terms, and drank with cheers; to which his Honor responded. “ The members of the Council,” was proposed by Major Dwyer and drank with musical honors. The Speaker respondded. “ The officers of the civil and military departments of the Province,” was the next toast, and was responded to by Mr. Sealy. Other toasts followed, interspersed with the strains of the band, whilst the bowl went merrily round, and the proceedings terminated about 12 o’clock.