OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 5093, 20 July 1877, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Parliament was opened yesterday afternoon by his Excellency the Governor in person. The usual demonstrations appropriate to the occasion were observed. The Volunteers paraded on the newly-reclaimed land, and fired a Vice-regal salute as his Excellency departed from Government House. At the hour appointed, 2 o’clock, his Excellency the Governor, attended by Captain Maling (his Excellency’s Private Secretary), Mr. Le Patourel, Assistant A.D.C., and Captain Digby, R.M. (of H.M.S. Sappho), proceeded to the Legislative Council Chamber, and passing through the guard of honor, formed by the Artillery Company, was received in due form by the Hoa. the Speaker of the Council, Sir John L. C. Richardson, who conducted his Excellency to the chair. The ladies' and public galleries were, as usual on such oecasions, crowded. His Excellency having taken his seat the members of the House of Representatives entered the chamber, and Major Atkinson then handed to the Governor a copy of the vice-regal speech, which his Excellency read as follows :

Honorable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen op the House op Representatives, —

In having recourse to your advice and assistance upou this occasion, it gives me pleasure to be able to congratulate you upon the progress which has been made during the past year in the development of the resources of the colony, upon the prosperous condition of its chief industries—agricultural, pastoral, and mining—and upou our continually improving relations with the native people. During the recess, I have had much pleasure in visiting a large portion of the South Island ; and it,was most gratifying to me to witness the indications of progress and advancement which presented themselves to me, and to observe the spread of industry, energy,, and independence which is evinced by the inhabitants, who, on all sides, expressed to me their loyalty and affection] towards Her Majesty, and their confident anticipations as to the future prosperity and welfare of the colony. You will, I feel assured, recognize with me the loss which my Government and the colony have sustained in the lamented death of Sir Donald McLean, who for more than seven years filled the office of Native Minister. His devotion to the duties of his office, his knowledgeof the Native language and character, his generosity and large-heartedness, and his tact in dealing with individuals as well as with masses, secured to him an influence over the Maori people which he exercised unceasingly to promote their welfare and advancement, to maintain peace, and to bring about that reconciliation between the races which he so earnestly desired to accomplish. Since the prorogation in October last, the administrative changes caused by the coming into operation of the Abolition of Provinces Act, and those rendered necessary by the legislation of the last session, have occupied the attention of my Government ; and it ia a "subject for congratulation that changes so large have been effected with so little public \ inconvenience, and without the disturbance of 1 ordinary administrative routine throughout the colony. This satisfactory result, lam advised, is greatly owing to the loyal assistance and exertions of those gentlemen, members of this Assembly, who in the respective Provincial Districts consented to hold temporarily the honorary and responsible positions of Executive Officers.

Captain Campbell-Walker, of Her Majesty’s Staff Corps, and Department Commissioner of Forests in Madras, who accepted for a specified period the appointment of Conservator under “ The New Zealand Forests Act, 1874,” has concluded his labors, and furnished an instructive and interesting report, which will be laid before you.

Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, —-

The Estimates for the Colonial Service have been prepared, and will be laid before you. They have been carefully framed with a view to securing as much economy as is found to be consistent will complete efficiency in the several departments. You will be glad to learn that experience continues to show, with growing distinctness, the benefits which this colony derives, as well in the form of increasing revenue as otherwise, from its system of public works. Further papers relative to the negotiations and measures for the inscription of our colonial stock by the Bank of England, will be presented to you. Honorable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, —

In the working of the Counties Act, some defects have been discovered, for the remedying of which legislation will be necessary. Amongst the measures proposed to be submitted for your consideration, will be found a Bill to make’further" and better provision for education in this colony ; a Lands Bill, which will to some extent consolidate the existing law, and will afford great facilities for the acquisition of laud for cultivation and settlement ; a Native Land Bill ; and a Mining Bill, to consolidate and amend existing laws relating to our gold fields. I commit to your grave consideration the business of the session ; and I pray that the Almighty will so guide and order your deliberations, that they may be productive of happiness and prosperity to the people of New Zealand. BUSINESS. The Council, after the retirement of the members of the Lower House, proceeded to the ordinary preliminary business of the session, and the Hon. Dr. Pollen laid upon the table a budget of papers. The Council then adjourned till half-past 2 o’clock next day. HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES. Thursday, July 19. The Speaker took the chair at a quarter past two o’clock. NEW MEMBERS. The Clerk of the House read the returns to the writs for new elections during the vacation. The following new members were sworn in : —Hon. AV. Pox, introduced by the Hon. the Premier, and the Hon. Mr. Richardson, Messrs. Gisborne, Sutton, Beetham, and Dr. AVallis. PETITIONS AND NOTICES O? MOTION. Several petitions were presented, and notices of motion given. SESSIONAL COMMITTEES. Notice of motion tor the appointment of the various sessional committees was given. EDUCATION BILL. The Hon. Mr. Bowen gave notice that he would move for leave to introduce a Bill to provide for public education. VARIOUS PAPERS. AGrious papers were laid upon the table, and were ordered to be printed. CROSS CHEQUES BILL Leave was given to the Hon. the Premier to introduce this Bill. It was read a first time and ordered to be read a second time on Tuesday next. The House then adjourned until this day.