OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 795, 21 July 1877, Page 2

OPENING OF PARLIAMENT.

THE GOVERNOR'S SPEECH.

[Press Agency.] Wellington, Thursday. The second session of tho sixth Parliament was opened to-day by the|G6vernor. The following is the speech :—f " Mono u able Legislative Councillors and g-entlemen 03? this house 01? Rep bbsbntati vess—

"11l having recourse to your advice and assistance on this occasion, it gives mo pleuOure to be able to congratulate you upon the progress which has been made during the«past year in the development of the resour ea of the colony, upon the prosperous condition of its cnief industries agricultural, pastoral, and mining—and upon our continual improving relations with the Maori people, " During the rec-333 I had much pleasure in visiting a iarge portion of the South Island, and it was moat gratifying to me to witness tha indications of progress and advancement which presented themselves to me, an.l to observe the spread of industry, energy, and iudepeudeuce which was evinced by the inhabitants, who, on all sides, expressed to me their loyalty and affection towards Her Majesty, aud their confident anticipitiona as to the future prosperity and welfare of the "colony.

"You will, I feel assured, recognise with me the loss which my Government and the colony h<ive sustained in the lamented death of Sir Donald McLean, Who lor more than seven yeara filed theoffice of Native Minister. His devotion to the duties of his office, his knowledge of the native language and character, his generosity and large heartednes*,. his tact in dealing with individuals as we'll as with masses, secured to him an iuflueiico over the Maori people which he exerci3ed % unceasingly to promote their.welfare aud' advancement, to maintain peace, and brin* about that reconciliation between the raoas which he so earnestly dasiivd to accomplish. "Since the prorogation in Ojtobar laab, the aduiinstrative changes cause! by the coming into operation of the Abjliiion of Provinces Act, and tho.?e rendered necessary* by Ilia legislation of last session, have occupied the attention of my Government, and it is a subject for congratulation that changes so large have beeu effected wivh so little inconvenience, and without disturbance of ordiuary administrative routine throughout tbe colony. This satisfactory result, lam advised, is greatly owing, to the -loyal a3jistauce and exertions of tnose gjutlemen, members of this Assembly, who in their respective Provincial Districts consented to hold temporarily the honorary and responsible positions of Executive Offijera.

" Captain Campbell Walker, of Her Majesty's Staff Corps, and Department Commissioner of Forests iu Madras, who accepted for a spcciiie.l period the appointar.enb of Conservator'uuder the Ne»v Zealand Forests Actj 1874, has concluded his labours, and has furnished an instructive and interesting report, whijh will be laid before you.

". Gentlemen ob the Hooss or Eephe-

SENTATIVES, — "The estimates for the colonial Berv.ee have been prepared, and will be laid before you. They have been carefully frame i with a view to securiag as much economy as is found to be consiutent with complete efficiency in the several departments. You wil 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 Bydtein of public works. "Farther papers relative to negotiations and moasures for inscription of our colonial stock by tha Bank of England will be presented to you: "HonorableLegislaticte Councillors, and Gentlemen of the House oe

R epres entatives,—

"In the working of lhe Counties Act some defects have been discovered, fpr the rerntdyiog of which ICjjis'atiou will be necessary. Amongst the measures proposed to be submitted for your consideration will be fouud a bill to make and bitter provision for odusalien i;i the colony, a Lands Bi.l which will to some extent cousulidate the existing law, aud will afford gr-juter facilities for acquisition of land for cultivation and settlement; a Native Laud Bill; and a Mining Bill, to consolidate and amen 1 the existing laws relative to our goldfields. " I commit to your grave consideration the business of the session, and I pray that Almighty Gad will so guide and order your deliberations that they may be productive of happiness and prosperity to the people of flew Zealand." \ .