BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

Westport Times, Volume VII, Issue 1090, 18 July 1873, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

[Anglo-Australiaurros3 Telegraph Agency] OPENING OF PARLIAMENT. GOVERNOR'S SPEECH. Government Buildings, July 15. The Governor opened Parliament to-day. In hia speech he said the condition of the Colony was extremely prosperous, colonists at large manifesting faith in its resources, and were developing them with energy and enterprise. The Public Works already authorised had been proceeded with as rapidly as circumstances permitted. The principle upon which those works were undertaken, involved not only a system of arterial communications throughout the country, but concurrent settlement by numerous occupiers of laud so opened up. Papers would be laid before them indicative of the anxiety of the Government to promote and assist immigration. The. increasing success of the Life Assurance and Annuities Department was highly satisfactory. In consideration of the unanimous desire of the Conference, her Majesty's Government had obtained the assent of the Imperial parliament to a measure bv which Australasian Colonies will have the right to enter into reciprocal tariff arrangements. He expressed a hope that care would be exercised in making proper and reasonable use ol it. Arising out of the Conference proposals for establishment of Cable communications had been made, and early attention would be invited to these proposals. The subject of mail services yet awaits final arrangements. My advisers are anxious to re-opeu the Californian service, but only disposed to do so on terms which will do justice to the requirements of the colony. Negotiations are still pending, the approval of Parliament being made an absolute condition. The works of making roads in native districts in the North Island have been prosecuted during the year with steadiness and success. The opposition originally manifested at several points to this undertaking is gradually lessening, as the natives more fully understand the iutention of the Government. It is also gratifying to observe that the natives generally appreciate the advantages of peace, and are directing their attention to industrial pursuits and to the establishment of schools. The murder committed in Waikato by Kertaui Natives has attracted much public notice, and while lamenting the occurronce of a crime, now happily so rare, I would announce with satisfaction that it has evoked from the leading tribes throughout the island, a renewal of public condemnation, as well as renewed declarations of their loyalty. The Government have left the criminals to the ordinary operation of law. That operation may be tardy in a district still remote from European settlement in which they have taken refuge, but the Government, while mindful of the requirements of justice aad of protection of industrious inhabitants, have not deemed it expedient by any precipitate measures to risk the disturbance of the generally peaceful condition of the colony. Gentlemen of the House or Representatives— In the estimates laid before you, your consideration will be asked to subjects relating to the civil service, public revenue, &c. Honorable Legislative Councillors and Gentlemen of the House of Representatives— Measures will be laid before you to initiate the reconstruction of the constitution of the Legislative Council; to amend Jaws relating to goldfields ; to provide for education; to consolidate laws rolating to prisons ; to amend and consolidate electoral laws ; to establish a silver and copper mint; to amend insolvency laws and abolish imprisonment for debt; to provide for election of Native district. I

councils ; to amend laws relating to Native lauds; and give increased security to persons assuring their lives. WELLINGTON. July 15. Tho Tlalcione made the passage in eighty seveu days. Three adults and two children died of typhoid fever ou the voyage. She briugs three huudred immigrants. July 17. It is stated that while the last contract entered into by the Agent-General for the conveyance of immigrants to New Zealand was £l7 per head, the New Zealand Company's first contract was for £l6, whereupon Shaw Saville and Co., reduced the charge ts .£l4 for the principal ports, with a slight increase for the smaller ports. Carruthers' report on the railway has been published. He estimates the revenue from the Nelson and Foxhill Railway at ,£BOOO, and working expenses, including renewals, at £7OOO per annum. The traffic will be almost entirely dependant upon timber. £2OOO is annually expected from passengers.

Regarding the Brunner Railway, he estimates the working expenses at £4OO per annum. If carriage is charged at sixpence per ton per mile, it would require the production of twenty-three thousand tons of coal annually to pay working expenses. WANGANUI. July 17. Mr Fox opposes the "Wellington provincial loan of £210,000. CIIRISTCHURCH, July 17. The journeymen tailors threaten to striko on Thursday, to-day, unless their demands are complied with. The Orangemen had a grand dinner on Monday night last, over 200 being present. DTTNEDIN. A Mr M'Pherson has been killed by a railway train. George Calder charged with personation at the late election, was aquitted. The Chamber of Commerce has resolved to petition Parliament to modify the arrangements made with M'Meckan, Blackwood and Co., for delivery of the Otago Suez mails. If the Government refuse, the Chamber will request the Superintendent of Otago to co-operate for securing arrange* ments more favorable to Otago. It is proposed to connect Waitaki and Invercargill by railway. If the General Assembly refuse to grant the appropriation the province will set apart half a million acres for the purpose. The Orangemen had a dinner on Saturday last. PORT CHALMERS. July 17. Arrived : Araby Maid, from London, on Tuesday. All well. LYTTELTON. July 17. Chared: John Bull, for London, with a cargo of meats, wool, and wheat, on the 15th. AUCKLAND. July 17. Roberts, charged with tho manslaughter of a Hindoo, has been sentenced to one year imprisonment. CAMBRIDGE. July 15. A large mooting was held on Saturday regarding Sullivan's murder, at which resolutions were passed to the following effect:— Ist. In the opinion of this meeting, from the utter contempt with which the natives have treated the Government since and previous to the murder of Sullivan, and from their having attempted tho murder of the Government Agent, the settlers demand British law to be enforced through tho length and breadth of New Zealand. 2nd. This meeting expresses surprise and regret at tho Government endeavoring to construe the murder of Sullivan into a private quarrel, which the natives acknowledge to have been premeditated solely on political grounds. Purukutu being instigated by the King to commit some outrage in order to provoke hostilities. 3rd. This meeting cannot understand the action of issuing Crown Grants and not protecting tho purchasers, thereby virtually acknowledging the authority of tho King over the lands. 4th. Whore it is in the power of the Government to grant protection beyond the confiscated land, such protection ought to be given. The Hon. Dr. Pollen informs Mr Buckland that the Government declines to grant protection outside the confiscated boundary. NAPIER. July 17. Six hundred and twenty-five shares in the New Zealand Shipping Company have been taken up.