PROROGATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

West Coast Times, Issue 644, 17 October 1867, Page 3

PROROGATION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY.

The Second Session of the Fourth Parliament of New Zealand was prorogued by the Governor on October 10, when his Excellency was pleased to make the following SPEECH.

Honobabie Legislative Cottncilloes, Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, I am happy, at the close of a Session unusually arduous, to release you from further attendance in Parliament. Your zeal nnd diligence have resulted in a number of valuable enactments for consolidating the Civil and Criminal law, which cannot but be of great benefit to the country. The liberality of the measure you have passed for granting special representation to the Maori popiilation will commend itself to that race, and tend to confirm the peaceful and friendly disposition which is everywhere spreading throughout the tribes recently in rebellion. The endowment for Maori education will contribute to the same good purpose, and assist the Natives to qualify themselves for the position of citizens. Gentlemen of the House of Representatives, — I thank you for the supplies you have granted for the public service. It will bo the duty of my Government to administer these supplies with that economy which is imperatively required. The measures you have passed for improving the character of tho public Securities will, I trust, maintain the credit and character of the Colony, not only in the money market, but wherever the development of

popular government is watched with interest, The Act for perfecting the machinery of the Revenue Departments will effectually secure to the Legislature those constitutional powers over tho public purse which have hitherto owed their integrity to the character of our public men, rather than to any positive legal enactments. The adjustment of the Surplus Revenue Accounts, and the relief of tho Northern Provinces from the portion of the War Loan which had been specially charged against them, will remove causes of irritation which tended to alienate important portions of the Colony from the idea of national unity. Honorable Gentlemen and Gentlemen — Although you have been unable to provide a general measure for establishing local selfgovernment, the claims of outlying districts to powers so essential to nourish the spirit of liberty and self-reliance have not been neglected; and I have gladly assented to the Bills for conferring such privileges, with a fair share of the local revenues, on the districts of Westland, and of Timaru and Gladstone. The elaborate Act for organising Municipal Corporations furnishes to town populations a very complete machinery fortheir local wants, and frees them, in the administration of their afFair3, from the doubts which, under existing Provincial law 3 attached to somo of their proceedings. There is every reason to believe that the depression under which several important parts of the Colony have for some time labored has reached its lowest point, and that with the re-establishment of peace — the opening of the Northern districts for settlement — the continued and increased development of rich goldfields in both Islands, a fresh lido of prosperity will set in, and that, when you next are called together, it will be found (hat these favored islands have entered on a career of permanent progress, which internal troubles will not again interrupt. In releasing you from your legislative duties,l would remind you of the importance of using the influence which the confidence of the people confers upon you to facilitate the administration of the measures you have passed. I trust that by the blessing of God, the result of your labors will be the increased happiness and prosperity of tho people of New Zealand.

The following bit of gossip about the Mayoralty of Melbourne from the "Argus" :—: — As the time draws near for tho election ©f Mayor for the coming civic year, the intrigues grow thicker, and become more complicated. The last rumour which has ob-. tamed currency is that Mr J. T. Smith is using every endeavor to induce Mr Harbison to retire in his fnvor, believing that in such case he would be sure of the coveted honor. He promises Mr Harbison, it is said, that if he consents to the proposition he will use all his i political influence to get Mr Harbison at once appointed a J.P. ; that for three months he will coach him in the duties of his office, and that at the expiration of that period he will resign the rnayorality and use his utmost endeavors to get him (Mr Harbison) elected in his place. Mr Harbison is not, however, likely to accept the offer, and if he did, it is hardly likely the council would be so insane as to administer to the vanity of Mr J. T. Smith. (For remainder of News see Ath Page.J