PROROGATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Southland Times, Issue 1127, 10 September 1869, Page 2

PROROGATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

Parliament was prorogued by the Governor in persou, on Friday, 3rd inst., at 1 o'clock. The subjoined report of His Excellency's speech is from the ' Otago Daily times.' ' Honorable Legislative Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : — " The time for closing the present session of the General Assembly having arrived, I thank you for the earnest consideration you have given to the many important topics to which your attention has been directed. " The safety of the country will, I hope, be effectually provided for by the measures taken. You have acted wisely in making parliamentry provision for the cost of an Imperial regiment, as well as in taking steps to remove the grounds of the misunderstanding which has arisen on the subject, and to restore those friendly relations which should ever subsist between the colony and the Imperial Government. " I cannot avoid expressing my satisaction that General Chute has been able, in the meantime, to detain the 18th Regiment. The presence of that regiment, and of part of a squadron of Her Majesty's navy at once affords protection, and exhibits to the insurgent natives the symbols of the Queen's authority, and of the power of the great British Empire, of which the colony is an integral part. Your efforts to organise and render more efficient a constabulary force for the permanent protection of the colony, cannot but contribute greatly to the future tranquillity, and will, it istobe hoped, reduce the heavy cost hitherto incurred on account of active military operations. ' Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : I thank you fov the supplies you have granted for the public service during the year. They shall be administered with all due care and circumspection. While you have wisely retrained at present from making any changes of a fundamental character in the financial system, the amendments effected by the several measures passed will tend to promote the better administration of the finance of the colony, and to securo greater economy in the public expenditure. "Honorable Gentlemen, and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives : I heartily congratulate you on the wonderful progress of the Auckland Goldfields, and I entirely concur in the sense which you have shown of their importance. lam confident that national tranquillity and increased jpopulation are all that is requisite to secure the great general extension of the goldfields in other parts of this auriferous country. Nothing can promote peace and immigration more than the developing of the goldfields. The yield of tbe precious metal and the growth of prosperity in the colony are reciprocal powers which act and react on each other with the most beneficial effecc. "While, however, you have shown yourselves sensible of the importance of developing resources hidden within the earth, I am glad to say that you have not neglected another obvious source of wealth which is to be found on its surface in the native flax, and that you have directed enquiries to be made during the recess which may lead to the further advancement of the growing trade in this valuable material. " The absence during the Session of any considerable number of petitions from the inhabitants of the outlying districts, suggesting chauges in the constitutional machinery of the Government, leads me to believe that the excitement on that subject which prevailed I last year, was only of a superficial and ephemeral character, and that the dissatisfacton with existing local institutions, which at one time appeared widespread, is no longer felt. "I have already transmitted to the Secretary of State for the Colonies the resolutions of both Houses, affirming the expediency of detaining an Imperial regiment in the colony, and making provision for the cost of its retention. I will do all in my power to assist the commissioner! whom you have determined

to send to England to communicate with the Imperial Government on this subject, by accrediting them to Her Majesty's Ministers, and impressing upon the latter the views of the General Assembly. " I have every hope that, strengthened by the countenance and aid of the Imperial G-overument, the colony will, under the blessing of Divine Providence, be restored to a condition of peace and prosperity ; that the settlers who have been molested by the rebels will remain in possession of their homesteads, and successfully resume industrial pursuits ; and that the insurrection will be finally suppressed. " I cannot conclude without recording my satisfaction with the cordial welcome accorded by the whole colony to H.R.H. the Duke of Edinburgh, whose visit, though occurring at a period of great depression, when the minds of the colonists were engrossed with events of serious import, evoked all those feelings of loyalty towards the person and family of Her Most Gracious Majesty the Queeo, which are everywhere entertained and expressed in the British dominions." Nelson, September 3rd. Dr Combe, barrister and solicitor, was found dead in his bed this morning, with his throat cut. It appears to be a case of determined suicide. The deceased was an eccentric man, well connected, and at one time wealthy.