The Hawke's Bay Times, Published every Monday and Thursday. "NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI." THURSDAY, 12th JULY, 1866. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 393, 12 July 1866, Page 5

The Hawke's Bay Times, Published every Monday and Thursday. "NULLIUS ADDICTUS JURARE IN VERBA MAGISTRI." THURSDAY, 12 th JULY, 1866. OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

We have much pleasure in being able to lay before our readers in this day’s issue of the Times the address delivered by his Excellency the Governor on the opening of the General Assembly, which we take from the columns of the New Zealand Advertiser, of the 4th inst., to hand by express last evening:— Honorable Legislative Councillors, Gentlemen op the House oe Representatives, — I have taken the earliest opportunity of resorting 4 to your advice and assistance sifter the dissolution of the late Parliament. The increase in the number of the members of the House of Representatives which has taken place under the Act which came into operation on the occasion of the recent General Election, will 1 trust, give additional weight to the deliberations of the Legislature, and aiford more ample means than has hitherto: existed for the due representation in Parliament of all interests in . the Colony. It is with great satisfaction that I am enabled to inform you of the all but complete cessation of disturbances in those portions of the Northern Island which had previously been disaffected. By the expedition of General Chute on the West Coast important results have been attained. Our prestige has been restored, and the Maoris have been convinced that the British soldier, when properly led, can follow them to their fastnesses, and is nowhere to bo successfully resisted. Recent occurrences have, however, proved that this c ampaign, so nobly conceived, and so gallantly and vigorously conducted, —has not sufficed, owing, to its abrupt termination to secure the tranquility of that district ; nevertheless, a valuable, service has been rendered by the Major-Ge-neral to the Colony and to the Empire.

Tha unbroken success which has attended the operations on the East Coast, of Her Majesty’s Colonial Forces, largely aided by loyal natives, has resulted in the surrender or capture of moat of the hostile natives. My Government has eagerly watched for, and has gladly accepted every indication on the part of any of these natives, of a desire to live peaceably with their fellow-subjects, and with the view of removing any cause of irritation, the larger portion of those who had been taken in arms have been restored to liberty; while at the same time the more prominent ringleaders have been temporarily removed to the Chatham Islands, and those who had been guilty of wanton and unprovoked murders, committed in cold blood, have been dealt with by the ordinary civil tribunals. By perseverance in a policy of kindness and consideration towards the well-disposed, and of firmness towards the turbulent, her Majesty’s native subjects will be assured of the advantages to be derived from habits of order, and a respect for Jaw, while they will also recognise that acts of violence cannot be practised with impunity. While congratulating you on this improved condition of a large portion of the country, which had been a cause of much anxiety and embarrassment, it must not be overlooked that there yet remain districts with respect to which it will be necessary that you should provide, for a time, a sufficient force to repress outrage, and maintain Her Majesty’s authority. As Her Majesty’s Eegular Forces have left, or are leaving the Colony as fast as the means of transport can be procured, it is imperative that no delay should take place in making this provisou. The commencement of the Mail Service, by way of Panama, cannot but be a subject of gratification and legitimate pride to the people of New Zealand, who in common with the inhabitants of the neighboring Colony of New South Wales, have long recognised the advantages which would result from this addition to their means of postal communication. The extension of telegraphic communication within the Colony, by means of the electric cable shortly to be laid across Cook Strait, will also conduce to the progress of the country and the development of its resources. Measures will be taken as early as possible for continuing this means of communication throughout the Northern Island. The continued increase in the produce of the gold-fields has caused a corresponding increase in the population and revenue of the Colony, has largely added to its commerce and wealth, and has tended to maintain that progressive advance for which New Zealand has been remarkable. Gentlemen op the House op Eepeesentatites, — You will find that a rigid economy has been exercised in the expenditure of the supplies voted for the public service last session. A careful regard for economy will also regulate the preparation of the Estimates to he submitted to you for the ensuing financial year. The public accounts of the Colony will be laid before you. The recent disposal of a largo portion of the loan authorised to be raised for the service of the Colony is evidence of an increasing confidence in the value of the colonial securities, which had been temporarily depressed by the operation of a variety of causes, amongst which may especially be instanced the manner in which some of the Provincial Loans have been dealt with. You will be invited to consider how this injury to the credit alike of the Colony and of the Provinces may be obviated for the future. In connection with this subject, and a means of improving the financial condition of the country, the propriety of enabling the several existing debts of New Zealand to be consolidated, on certain conditions, should also bo considered. Proposals for a revision of the Tariff, which has long been demanded, will be submitted for your consideration, as also the question of providing an additional source of revenue by means of Stamp Duties. To maintain and improve the credit of the country will be at all times an object of solicitude to my Government, in promoting which I look with confidence to your zealous co-operation. Honorable Gentlemen and Gentlemen, — In accordance with an intimation made last session, I have appointed a Commission to inquire into the position of the Civil Service, with a view to establishing a definite system, which would promote the efficiency of the service, and conduce to economy in the-publio expenditure. The report of this Commission will shortly ba laid before you. Measures for improving the administration of justice, and on other subjects of importance, will be submitted for your approval. In these and all other matters which may claim your attention, I pray that Divine Providence may guide your labors, so that they may conduce to the happiness and prosperity of the people of New Zealand.