PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF NEW PLYMOUTH.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 780, 5 October 1853, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF NEW PLYMOUTH.

(From the “Taranaki HeraM” 50p1.2J.) In conformity with the proclamation, the Council met for the first time on Friday last, when His Honor the Superintendent opened the Session with the following address : li Gentlemen, ‘'l have taken an early opportunity of convening the Provincial Council, that we may without delay carry out those provisions of an Act granting a Representative Constitution to the colony, which arc confided to our care by our fellow electors. “ The Act is laid before you, and is a gratifying improvement on the Act which would have come into operation had not the former been enacted to supersede it, both as regards the general detail, and the liberality of its provisions. Under the circumstances, we ought, therefore, to be deeply grateful to Her Majesty’s Government for this measure—the greatest boon yet bestowed on this colony, “I take this opportunily of reminding you, that to 11 is Excellency Sir George Grey the colony is mainly indebted for the groundwork of (he constitution; and that his views and suggestions in a despatch to Earl Grey contain some of the most liberal provisions that have been embodied in the Act. As might, therefore, be expected, His Excellency’s provisional arrangements with regard to the General Revenue and Land Fund, for enabling the Provincial Government effectively to enter on its duties, are framed on the same liberal basis. “ The limited time I have been in office, and the sources of information as yet at my disposal, render me unable to give yon such information on subjects of important interest as can be deemed conclusive. As regards the Land Question, on which the Land Fund is contingent, arrangements have been made, and are in progress by the General Government, for acquiring large blocks of land from the aborigines. Should you consider it advisable to increase the survey staff, and expedite the surveys, with a view to encourage the occupation of the land, His Excellency has placed the means at your disposal in a despatch which I have received from the Civil Secretary, and is laid before you, as also another despatch, in which His Excellency lias further pointed out what steps you will lake, to have that portion of the Land Fund placed under your management which is devoted to Emigration, as well as (hat porliou which is now applicable to Public Works. “I am happy to inform you (hat the progressive prosperity of this Province affords every prospect that the share of the General Revenue which will be placed at your disposal by His Excellency's arrangement, will suffice for the government of the Province, and such portions of the previous expenditure in the different departments as will now come under the control of the Provincial Government. “A communication from Messrs. Wigram and Sons accompanies the other documents laid before you, containing propositions to the Superintendent and Provincial Council of a comprehensive nature, and deserving of your best consideration. . , “ The arrangements I have made for the service of the Council are contained in (he correspondence on the subject which is laid before you, As the Court House is placed temporarily iujJ conditionally at the service of the Provincial

Council by the Resident Magistrate, it will be advisable to effect some arrangement for providing more permanent accominodalon for the Council, and in which some better arrangements might be included for the accommodation of my department than at present exist. 1 have, therefore, added a memorandum to (he correspondence, containing a proposition on the subject, and shall he happy to entertain any recommendation the Council may think proper to make. “I rely with confidence on your support on nil measures of public benefit, and shall myself he prepared to give the Council every support and assistance in my power for the advancement of the interests of this settlement.” Having delivered this address, and laid the Governor s despatches on the table. His Honor retired from (he Council Chamber. Mr. Rundlc then moved that Mr. Culficld do take the chair, while (he council proceed to elect a speaker, which motion having been seconded by Mr. T. Good, was carried. Mr. Vickers then proposed Mr. Chilman as speaker, hut (hat gentleman declining, the motion was lost. It was then proposed by Mr. Parris, seconded by Mr. P. Elliot, and carried, that Mr. Isaac Newton Watt be elected speaker of the first Provincial Council. The Speaker look the chair. Mr. G. R. Burton then moved that the council do go into committee on the standing orders, which being carried, Mr- Vickers was appointed chairman of the committee, and for a lime the public silting of the council terminated. On resuming the silling, the standing orders agreed upon were put and carried ; and the papers laid on the table by His Honor were then read, and the Council adjourned to Wednesday, the Members meanwhile to bo furnished with copies of the papers placed before them bv His Honor.