OPENING OF THE PARLIAMENT OF NEW ZEALAND.

Hawke's Bay Weekly Times, 20 July 1868, Page 176

OPENING OF THE PARLIAMENT OF NEW ZEALAND.

THURSDAY, JULY 9, 1868.

(Prom the Wellington Independent, 11th July.) The fourth session of the present Parliament was opened on Thursday, July 9, at 2 p m., by his Excellency the Governor in person. The occasion was interesting as the first parliamentary ceremonial at which his Excellency has assisted or inaugurated. The day was beautifully fine, and besides a more than usually numerous attendance of members of both houses there was a large number of ladies present. His Excellency, punctually at two o’clock, left Government House, attended by the principal officers of his household. Detachments of the

18th Royal Irish, tbe Veterans, and of tne W.R.V. (No. 1) were drawn up inside the gate, and lined the walk of the principal entrance of the House of Assembly. There was a large attendance of the public as spectators. His Excellency appeared in the Windsor uniform with the ribbon and cross of St. Michael and St. George The officers of the Rosario were present in uniform. Their Excellencies drove from Government House in a phaeton and pair. In the carriage were seated his Excellency, Lady Bowen, Capt. Young, A.D.C., and Capt, Palmer, H.M.S. Rosario. The Volunteer Artilery fired a solute as his Excellency entered the carriage on his departure from Government House. We have not for many years seen so great an assemblage on similar occasions. The coup d/ail in the Legislative Chamber on his Excellency’s entrance was most impressive, and imposing. Lady Bowen waß seated on the left of the Speaker’s chair. The usual summons was couveyed to the ** faithful Commons” to give their attendance, who entered with their Speaker (Sir David Monro) preceded by the Sergeant-at-Arms with the mace. His Excellency was received by the whole assembly standing.

An unusual feature iu the scene was this year the faces of the Maori members. His Excellency read the vice regal speech in a clear voice, which was heard in every part of the chamber.

SPEECH.. Honorable Legislatiee Councillors,

Gentlemen oe the House oe Representatives,

Since ypui* last session I have, in obedience to Her Majesty’s commands, assumed the Government of this country ; and it is with great satisfaction that I now meet you in Parliament, and resort'to your advice and. assistance in the consideration of measures which affect the welfare of the coun*y-. . V

During the -recess . preparations were made, -not merely by the Government, but by the country at large, to give that hearty reception to iiis Bpyal ' Highness the Duke nf Edinburgh which. was due to the Bon bf our beldvecl Queen, and to a distinguished jrepr.esentatiye 1 cf the: British nation. upon the .occasion; tof; a visit to a loyal braiich df the Empire. > The news of the insane,;andwicked.^attempt uponhis throughoutNew:Zealaud ? ;asideverypart mdign^ip^^^t|pKrp^'.SaW:.'t£e^atUsnpted erime,^ J^lt^^butf^ks^cßa^e^ihej^oSexpreM^tp tthpfpfedpl^£^!fe^Ze^anli^e^eepj|:ißgret; tKedibpe^^ befaU^’tived^hiMFoff^akffiM^hfttprbinised -Northern". Island'- except ' mid

Wanganui, and have received in every i place conspicuousproofs of. the attachment i of-the inhabitants to. the Throne and'the i Empire. X purpose, after the completion ■ of your labors, to continue my visits, and to make myself acquainted,.without - delay, with the various-settleddisti'iots of these Islands whichTihaye nbfryet“seen. Papers wilfbe'laid before you relative to the action taken hy the Golonial Treasurer, who has-been:appointed/ under the authority of.the JQoan Acts of 'last session, agent in England for the purposes speci fied in those Acts. I-havethe satisfaction to inform you that one of the questions which has engaged his attention —that of the complicated accounts between the Imperial and Colonial Governments—has been settled, and a source of prolonged controversy and constant irritation consequently removed. The Act passed during your last session, erecting the district of Westland into a county, and making temporary provision] for its government, was brought into operation on the Ist January last. While the working of; this measure since that date has shown the necessity for considerable amendments, which, from its provisional character, might have been reasonably anticipated, the result of this important ex periraent may, on the whole, be considered satisfactory. A bill will be submitted to you for effecting the various amendments which experience has shown to be necessary. • -

Gentlemen oe the House oe Representatives,

The estimates for the ensuing year will shortly be submitted to you. These estimates hare been resolutely reduced to the lowest, amount required to maintain the public service. The public accounts will be laid before you.

I am happy to be. able to inform i.yoa, notwithstanding the commercial depression which this country, in common with other portions of the empire, has labored under, that if the resources of the country are not further anticipated by loans, there will be no need to impose additional burdens on the people in order to maintain the public credit and an efficient Government. Honorable Gentlemen and Gentlemen.

A bill will be submitted to you for se curing to rural districts powers for effecting public works necessary for their progress, and for allotting to them a fair share ol the land fund. „

My Government have not thought it advisable to exercise the very large powers conferred by an act of last session for legalizing the manufacture of spirits, but a bill will be introduced which will include all necessary legal provisions for enabling distillation to be carried on.

Several very important bills will also be

-übmitted to you for declaring, amending, and consolidating the law relating to real property, the registration of deeds, police offences, frauds in trade, and other sub jects, and for assimilating the law of treason to that of Great Britain.

In accordance with your desire, a com

mission has been appointed to inquire into the operation of the laws now in force relative to the custdoy and treatment of prisoners, especially of those sentenced to long periods of imprisonment.- The report of the Commission will shortly be laid before you. Although laboring under many difficul-

ties, and charged witn the solution of in

tricate political. problems, which cannot be dealt with summarily, I have every confidence that the good sense, patience, and mutual forbearance of the people of these islands will secure the happiest results, and will gradually adjust; the finances and the political constitution of the colony to the progressive requirements of the people. I commend, to your wisdom the consideration of the many important subjects which .may claim your attention, and I

pray that the blessing of God may guide your counsels to the promotion of the happiness of.the people of New Zealand.