PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 4473, 21 July 1875, Page 2

PARLIAMENT.

LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL. Tdesday, July 20. The House assembled at 2 o'clock. Present: The Speaker (Sir J. L. C. Richardson), Hous. Dr. Pollen (Premier), Col. Kenny, CoL Brett, Meuzies, Hart, Edwards, Rhodes, "Wigley, Wi Tako, Ngatata, Chamberlm, Lahinan, C. J. Pharazyn, Holmes, Capt. Baillie, Mantell, James Williamson, John Johnston, and Major Richmond. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Shortly after 2 o'clock his Excellency entered the House, and the members of the House of Representatives having, in obedience to the usual message, appeared at the bar, liis Excellency rose and read the openiug Speech, as follows: Honorable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — I have great pleasure in now for the first time meeting the Parliament of New Zealand, and I trust that your deliberations during the present session may tend to advance the wellbeing and good government of the colony. Since my assumption of the Government I have had the satisfaction of visiting the four great centres of the population, and of becoming personally acquainted with some portions of the Middle Island, and I must congratulate you upon the great energy which has been evinced, and the rapid strides which have been made towards the development of the resources of this rich and fertile country. The reception which I have everywhere received as her Majesty's representative has been most cordial and loyal; and it will, I can assure you, be my anxious desire to extend my visits with as little delay as possible to all portions of the colony, in order that I may become personally acquainted with the resources, the requirements, and, as far as possible, with the inhabitants, of the various districts.

I observed with the xitmost satisfaction the progress which is being made in the construction of those great public works which have been undertaken by the Government under your authority, and I trust that the time is not far distant when the industry of the country will receive a fresh impetus by their completion. The debt incurred in the formation of railways has indeed been large ; but, at the same time, the returns received from those sections already opened are most encouragiug, and tend greatly to prove the wisdom of the policy adopted by you.

Our relations with that section of the native people of the colony which has been so long estranged from us continue to improve. The recent meeting' of Tawhiao with the Native Minister—a meeting sought for and arranged by Tawhiao himself—gives promise that the isolation in which the immediate adherents of the Maori King have hitherto held themselves is about to terminate. The renewed desire of the natives to provide an English education for their children, as shown by the large increase in the number of schools in native districts, and the general resumption of industrial pursuits, give assurance of the maintenance of peace, and of a desire on their part to participate with the European colonist in the general prosperity. A communication by telegraph has been received, intimating that a new contract for a mail steam service to and from San Francisco has been made by Sir Daniel Cooper, as representing the Government of New South Wales, and Mr. Russell, as representing the Government of New Zealand, subject to ratification by the Legislatures of the respective colonies. The contract and papers will be laid before you when received. You will be gratified to learn that a contract has been made by Sir Julius Vogel, acting on behalf of this Government, for the laying of a telegraph cable between New South Wales and New Zealand, upon terms much more advantageous than were believed to be attainable when the undertaking was

first authorized, and that the Government of New South Wales has become a party to the contract, and has agreed to contribute onethird (£2500) of the annual subsidy (£7500). Gentlemen op the House op Representatives, — Estimates of expenditure for the current financial year will be laid before yovi. Whilst providing for the requirements of the public service, these Estimates have been so framed as to secure the utmost economy found to be consistent with the complete efficiency of the several departments. The Immigration and Public Works Loan of four millions, authorised by Act in the last session, has been successfully negotiated. The papers relating to this operation will be laid before you without delay. It will afford you satisfaction to be informed. that the public revenue continues to increase, and that the actual receipts for the past financial year have been considerably in excess of the official estimate. Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen op the House of Representatives, — In accordance with the resolutions adopted by the House of Representatives in the last session, the necessary measures for the abolition of the provincial form of government and for the establishment of a more thorough form of local government in this the North Island have been prepared, and will be immediately laid before you. You will be invited to decide whether, taking the circumstances of the colony into consideration, as well as the present financial condition and future prospects of some of the Provincial Governments in theMiddle Island, the operation of the proposed measures may not at once, with general advantage, be so extended as to include the whole of the provinces. In view of the proposed constitutional changes, and of the approaching termination of the existence of the present Parliament, a re-adjustment of the representation of the people to meet the altered circumstances of electoral divisions has become necessary. Bills will accordingly be submitted for your consideration for amending the lawrelative to the qualification of electors and for a readjustment of representation. A Bill to consolidate and amend the laws relating tostamp duties, and a Bill to amend the laws relating to insolvency will also be laid before you. I confide to your earnest attention these and other measures to be brought before you, in the hope that the Divine Wisdom will guide your efforts faithfully to disehai-ge your onerous duties.

His Excellency and suite then left the House. PRATERS. The SPEAKER having taken the chair,, read prayers. PAPERS. The PREMIER laid upon the table the following papers :— Despatches from the Governor of New Zealand to the Secretary of State ; despatches from the Secretary of State to the Governor of New Zealand ; commission of his Excellency the Marquis of Normanby, K.C.M.G.; petition of Sir George Grey to the Secretary of State, and correspondence connected therewith ; letters relative to the Hon. Sir J. Vogel's detention in England; correspondence and report by Major Palmer on the state of the surveys in New Zealand ; reports on the lunatic asylums in New Zealand;, papers relative to the University of New Zealand ; papers relative to granting letters patent to the University of New Zealand; reports from officers in native districts; further reports from officers in native districts ; reports of inspecting officers of native schools ; further reports of inspecting officers ; report by Mr. Alexander Mackay on land purchases, Middle Island; report by Inspector of Surveys ; letters to the Agent-General; letters from the Agent-General; letters to the Agent-General, transmitting reports upon immigration ships j immigration returns ; correspondence within the colony ; correspondence with the AgentGeneral, London ; correspondence relating to the Westinghouse air brake on the New Zealand railways ; report on the survey of the Randall Creek water race; report on the Tokomairiro branch railway, Otago; report on the Green Island branch railway, Otago; report of the Rakaia bridge commission ; report upon the requirements of the harbor of Riverton ; copy of a despatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies, in reply to addresses from both Houses of Parliament on the marriage of his Royal Highness the Duke of Edinburgh; Post-office Saving Banks, deposits received and expenses of working; regulations of Post-office Savings Banks; return of number of persons in the province of Otago who have bought land on the deferred payment system, under the Waste Lands Act of 1572 ; copy of evidence taken by the Royal Commission appointed to inquire into the origin of the outbreak of an infectious disease on board the Berar. CHAIRMAN OV COMMITTEES. The PREMIER gave notice of his intention to move that the Hon. Sir J. L. G. Richardson, K.C.8.,-be appointed Chairman of Committees. SEW BILLS. The PREMIER gave notice of his intention: to move for leave to introduce a Bill relating to the l'egistration of births and deaths ; also, a Bill to amend the New Zealand University Act. SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. Notices of motion for the appointment of sessional committees were given. ADDRESS IN REPLY. The PREMIER moved, by leave, without notice, the appointment of the following gentlemen as a committee to prepare an address in reply to his Excellency's speech : Hons. John Johnston, Hart, Baillie, Brett, and the mover. Agreed to. MINISTERIAL STATEMENT. The PREMIER reported to the Council the alterations which had taken place ia the condition of the Ministry, and announced the names of the gentlemen who now hold the various portfolios. ADJOURNMENT. The House at its rising adjourned till 2.30next day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Tuesday, July 20. I The House met at two o'clock, and having been requested to attend the Legislative Council to hear the Governor's opening speech, proceeded to that Chamber. PRAYERS. On the return of the members, the Lord's Prayer was read. NEW MEMBERS. Sir George Grey was introduced by the Hon. E. W. Stafford and Mr. Katene, and subscribed the usual statutory declaration, amid loud cheers from all sides. Messrs. Bowen, George McLean, Von Der Hyde, Ward, and Dignan also took the oaths and their seats. THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. The Speaker reported that his Excellency the Governor in opening Parliament had been pleased to deliver a Speech, a copy of which had been furnished to him (the Speaker). The Clerk op the House read the Speech. A NEW WRIT FOR WALLACE. : The SPEAKER reported that he had been informed by telegraph of the death of Mr. George Webster, the hon. member for Wallace, and inquired whether it was the pleasure of the House that he should issue a new writ. Mr. STAFFORD would offer not the slightest objection in this case, as he had reason to believe the intelligence was too true; but he wished to point out thenndesirablenesa of such a course being pursued as a rule. Telegrams were not always reliable, and it would be well if it was distinctly understood that the issue of a writ on this occasion, when the only intelligence of the vacancy was by telegram, should not be viewed as a precedent.' The SPEAKER expressed concurrence with the view of the hon. member for Timaru, but said he should, under ordinary circumstances have issued the writ without apprising the House of the circumstance. It was because of the extraordinary circumstances that he had asked permission of the House. ADDRESS IN REPLY. Mr. INGLIS gave notice that next day he would move an address in reply to the Speech*

PETITIONS. Various petitions were read and received, one being from the Thames for increased representation. NOTICES. "Various notices of motion for the appointment of the usual sessional committees were given. Messrs. Fitzheubert and Bunny gave notice of their intention to apply for leave to introduce Bills. Sir Donald McLean also gave similar notices. Various other notices of motion were also given. MINSITERIAL statement. Sir DONALD McLEAN said as the House was aware, the Premier, Sir Julius Vogel, shortly after the conclusion of last session left the colony and proceeded to England for the purpose of arranging for the floating of the four million loan, which the Legislature had authorised; to negotiate for the laying of a cable to connect New Zealand with the Australian colonies, and also to make better arrangements for the carrying out of the immigration scheme of the colony. News had been ' received to the effect that Sir Julius Vogel had been for some time suffering from severe illness, occasioned by over-exertion in the performance of the duties for which he went to England; and as it would under the circumstances have been impossible for him to be present at the reassembling of Parliament, he had tendered his resignation to the Governor. His Excellency had accepted the Premier's resignation, and had been pleased to direct the Hon. Dr. Pollen to re-form the Ministry, a task which the Hon. Dr. Pollen had undertaken. The hon. gentleman then read to the House the names of the gentlemen who filled the various offices, and expressed a hope that the Government would be acceptable to the House. ADJOURNMENT. It was resolved, on the motion of Sir Donald McLean, that the House at its rising adjourn till 2.30 next day. The House then adjourned.