To be chosen by the inhabitants of this Province to fill its highest place of public trust, is, indeed, the most honourable distinction which it is within the power of the Colonists of New Zealand to confer. But in the early stages of a newly founded colony, there are few persons having sufficient leisure and independent means, or who can afford to withdraw themselves so far from their ordinary pursuits as to command the time necessary for discharging gratuitously the duties of so important an office. To decide that the Superintendent should be unpaid, would be to confine the choice of the electors within narrow and inconvenient limits, and would, in effect, be to impose a high property qualification on a candidate for the office.

After giving to the subject full consideration, and fortunately, in my own case, unbiassed by any considerations personal to myself, I have arrived at the conclusion that, having regard to the interests of the Province, it is my duty to recommend you to make provision for the payment of a salary to the Superintendent, and to provide that the amount be fixed by an Act of Council, and that it be not liable to an annual vote.

In a newly-constituted popular assembly, unpractised in the preparation of Legislative enactments, and new to the practical business of Legislation, the duties of Speaker will, no doubt, be laborious and responsible. Looking to the importance of the office, and to the experience and ability which ought to distinguish the holder of it, I think it can hardly be expected that its onerous and responsible duties should be gratuitously performed. I would therefore suggest for your consideration the propriety of providing for that officer a suitable salary.

With reference to the appropriation of that portion of the Provincial Revenue available for Public Works, you will probably consider the completion of portions of the main lines of roads already commenced, the opening of a line of communication with the Waikato River, the buoying, &c., of the Manukau Harbour, as suggested by Captain Drury, the improvement of the harbour accommodation of the Port of Auckland, and the erection of a suitable Council Chamber and Public Offices, to be amongst the subjects most pressing for attention.

It would be competent for me, under the provision of the Constitution relating to the appropriation of public moneys, at once to recommend to you to vote a certain amount for the above-mentioned or any other specific public purposes. I should prefer, however, to avail myself of your greater knowledge and experience; and I shall be prepared to give the most favourable consideration to any resolutions the Council may adopt; specifying the Public Works they would deem it most desirable to undertake, and the several sums to be appropriated to their completion.

Seeing the importance of having this portion of the public funds expended under zealous and skilful superintendence, the selection of the officer who is to discharge these duties will necessarily involve the most careful consideration upon my own part, and upon that of the officers of the Provincial Government, whose duty it will be to tender me advice upon such subjects, as the sum of 14,000£. or 15,000£., judiciously appropriated, and expended under able and vigilant supervision, can scarcely fail to effect a marked improvement in the Province.

In conclusion, gentlemen, I would remind you that the novel experiment in popular government about to be tried in the several Provinces of New Zealand will be regarded with watchful interest. Of the result of the experiment, so far as the Province of Auckland is concerned, I have no misgiving. The constituency have already performed their part; their elections have been conducted in a peaceable, orderly, and creditable manner; and we have it in our own power, by working heartily together for the public good, to vindicate the wisdom of their choice.

As regards the Executive, I trust that in the appointments I may make for carrying on the Government, there will be recognised a sincere desire on my part that the public business should be conducted zealously and efficiently, by persons fully enjoying the public confidence; and as to the proceedings of Council, I feel assured that so far as may be consistent with perfect freedom of discussion and liberty of speech, your deliberations will be conducted in a spirit of fairness and moderation, and that your powers, freely granted and liberally conferred, may be temperately, considerately, and generously used.

R. H. WYNYARD,
Superintendent.

Auckland, 18th October, 1853.

His Honor the Superintendent having withdrawn, the Council, in pursuance of the 20th clause of the New Zealand Constitution Act, proceeded to the election of a Speaker, and unanimously elected Thomas Houghton Bartley, Esquire, who, having been conducted to the chair, the Council deputed W. F. Porter and James Busby, Esquires, to present the Speaker to His Honor the Superintendent, who was pleased to approve of the choice, and to confirm the election of Speaker in the following terms:—

"The Provincial Council having presented Thomas Houghton Bartley, Esquire, Barrister-at-Law, as the gentleman duly elected to serve as Speaker, I have much pleasure in signifying my approval of the same.

(Signed) R. H. WYNYARD,
Superintendent
Auckland, 18th October, 1853."

The Speaker having resumed the chair, William Connell, Esquire, moved that the following Members be appointed a Select Committee, to prepare such Standing Rules and Orders as shall appear best adapted for the orderly conduct of the business of the Council—Mr. Busby, Mr. Porter, Mr. Gillan, Mr. J. O’Neill, Mr. Williamson, Mr. Boylan, Mr. Connell.

Mr. Connell moved that the Council do now adjourn until two o’clock on Wednesday, the 19th instant.

Council adjourned at a quarter to four o’clock.

WEDNESDAY, 19TH OCTOBER, 1853.

Council met pursuant to adjournment.

The Speaker took the chair.

Applications were read from David Lundon and Matthew McCormack soliciting the situation of Office-keeper and Messenger.

Mr. Connell, as Chairman of the Committee on the Standing Rules and Orders, brought up the Report, and moved that the same be read and adopted, and that the Standing Rules therein recommended become the Standing Rules and Orders of this Council, and that the same be printed for the information of the Members. Agreed to.