VICTORIA.

West Coast Times, Issue 226, 9 June 1866, Page 2

VICTORIA.

PItOUOGATION OP PARLIAMENT.

(From the " Argus," Juno 2.)

Notwithstanding that the Legislative Council stood adjourned until Tuesday next, Parliament was prorogued yesterday, in the usual manner, by his Excellency tho Acting Governor. Owing, however, to the uncertainty which prevailed as to whether the accustomed ceremony would take place or not, tho attendance of visitors was extremely' small. His Excellency arrived at the Parliament Houses shortly before halfpast four o'clock, tho ordinary salute being fired from the Prince's Bridge Barracks. He was attended by an escort of mounted police, under Inspecr tor Sadlier, while a guard of honor, consisting of a party of the Royal Artillery, under the command of Lieut - Colonel Smith, was drawn up to receive him in Parliament Yard. On his Excellency's arrival in the Council-chamber, thero were from twelve to fifteen members together tho President, in attendance. As tho day was ono on which tho Houso could not legally sit, the President did not take the chair, but occupied a seat in proximity to his accustomed place. While all the supporters of tho Government and somo of their opponents Avere in attendance, it was noticed that all the principal members of the Opposition were absent. His Excollonoy lost no time in having tho members of the Assembly summoned to the chamber, and having given tho Royal assent to a number of bills, ho read the prorogation speech, and released the members of both Houses from their legislative duties until tho 12th July. The proceedings did not oxcite much public interest, and when General Carey arrived scarcely more than fifty people had assembled outsido tho House. This number, however, subsequently increased to 0 c or two hundred persons, who expressed their loyalty by cheering His Exoelleucy as he left the Parliamentary enclosure.

His Excellency read tho following speech : — " Mr President, and Honorable Gentlemen of the Legislative Council — " Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the

Legislative Assembly —

" I atn glad to bo able to release you from your legislative labors, after a session which has not been.unusually protracted. Nevertheless, the measures which within the past few weeks have become law are not unimportant, and must have a sensible effect on the interests and future progress of the country.

"A bill for the appropriation of the votes of Assembly for they ear 1 865 has become law, and thus tho final sanction of the Legislature has been givon to the exceptional, but in tho opinion of my ad. visors and of the Assembly, the necessary, expenditure in tho past year for tho upholding of tho various public establishments of the colony. " I am happy to bo ablo to inform you that my advisers continue to receive tho most favourable reports of the uninterrupted beneficial Operation of the Amending Land Act of the year 1865. Throughout tho various agricultural areas which have been opened to selection, large quantities of land have passed iuto the hands of the fanning class of our follow colonists, and in every dtetviot evidence is afforded of

tho increasing occupation of tho country by a settled and industrious population.

11 The new tariff is also now in full operation, and as y«t has not been followed by any of those injurious consequences to our commerce which were so confidently predicted by tho opponents of that measure,

" You will be gratified to learn that tho aot for the establishment of Postoffice Savings' Banks is still working aaost beneficially. Affording, as these institutions do, the means for tho industrious and provident portion of our community placing the smallest savings in perfect security, the spirit of thrift is generated and diffused by these facilities ; and the deposits are steadily increasing in amount from week to week.

"A bill for the reduction of our-postal rates has become law, wbioli will take effect from the Ist of Augiist.next. " Tho powers conferred upon the Government by the act for providing a general system of water supply to the colony are being energetically acted upon by my advisers. Surveys have been effected in various extensive districts, and contracts have been entered iato for the performance of several most important works, whioh will be commenced forthwith. It is a necessary and interesting characteristic of the legislation of a young country like that of Victoria, the capabilities of which are but in a nascent state, that it shall aim at tho future development of the colony, whilst providing merely for the exigencies of the present time ; and I think you may look back with pride on the enactment of a measure which, having regard to the probable future benefits it is calculated to confer on all

the leading interests of the country, is certainly second to none on the statutebook of the Victorian Parliament. '• Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of tho

Legislative Assembly, — " I thank you, on behalf of her Ma- 1 jesty, for the liberality with which, by your votes, you have provided for tho public service of the present year. " Mr Presidont and Honorable Gentle-

men of the Legislative Council, — "Mr Speaker a.nd Gentlemen of the Legislative Assembly, — " In accordance with a recommendation of tho Legislative Assembly, a member of the Government has proceeded to England, for the purpos* of carrying out tho negotiations rolating to our defences and other important subjects of public policy with her Majesty's Government in England. The Hon. Mr Verdon, the Treasurer, has been deputed by my advisers for tho purpose of carrying out this object, and it is expected that his mission may be completed, and that he may be able to return to the colony within a few months.

" I now release you from your duties, and in Her Majesty's name declare this Parliament to be prorogued to Thursday, the 12th day of July next, and it is hereby prorogued accordingly. (Signed) " Oeo. J. Carey." " Melbourne, June 1, 1866."