You will perceive by the Estimates of probable revenue and expenditure for the present financial year, that I calculate upon resources perfectly equal to every undertaking that will be suggested for your adoption.

The want of a more perfect means of communication between our principal sea-port and the Plains has long been a source of great embarrassment in the conduct of the commercial operations of the Province. Having the advantage of a safe and commodious harbour, perfectly adapted to a very large commerce, the germs of which commerce are now starting into vigorous growth, it has become a matter of the very highest importance that you should at once consider and determine the best method of securing the safe and expeditious transit of our marketable productions to the place of export. To this end I shall transmit for your consideration a proposal to construct a line of Railway from Lyttelton to Christchurch direct.

This line will involve a tunnel through the heights behind Lyttelton and would from the expensive nature of such a work require a very large outlay of money. It will therefore remain with you to consider whether the ultimate advantage to be realised to the Province by the completion of the undertaking in question would or would not justify the required disbursement.

There will be laid before you all the information at present available having reference to the practicability of the undertaking, its cost, the probable lapse of time during its progress to completion. These, however, are enquiries which cannot be satisfactorily answered except by competent engineering authority.

I may however state that I have a very high authority for believing that no formidable engineering difficulty stands in the way of this work.

The ordinary public works are in an active state of progression, and will be prosecuted with continued vigour, in order to the opening up of new districts for purchase and useful occupation.

You will be highly gratified to learn that our Emigration Agent in London (Mr. Fitz Gerald) has made very favorable arrangements for the introduction of immigrants into the Province, in numbers each year, sufficient to supply the demand for labour.

Among other matters that you will be asked to consider, is the great necessity for a special provision for the construction and maintenance of public works within the limits of towns. To meet this necessity, I shall submit a measure for your approval.

Your attention will be drawn to provisions for various social wants, but I hope that these ends may be accomplished without the enactment of many new Ordinances.

I shall have to recommend the establishment of an Institution very much required, viz:—a Hospital at Christchurch for the reception and treatment of sick persons. Also an additional Grant for educational purposes, in order that the several religious denominations may be better enabled to provide for the numerous children that are at present destitute of education in consequence of insufficient school accommodation.

You will receive a bill to amend the Cattle Trespass Ordinance, a Roads' Diversion Bill, and a Bill for the regulation of the Gaol and Armed police.

The several subjects I have briefly noticed, together with a consideration of various proposals for the extension of the Public Works, enquiries into supplies necessary for carrying on the Government and defraying the current liabilities of the Province, will constitute the bulk of the business to which I shall invite your attention during this Session.

Gentlemen, I am happy in the assurance that it is quite unnecessary for me to remind you of the very serious responsibility owing to the Province, the Government of which is committed to our charge. I have the greatest confidence that an earnest desire to secure solid public advantages will characterise your deliberations, and that all your proceedings, as heretofore, will furnish evidence to the world that Canterbury rightly understands the proper uses of Local Self-Government.

Gentlemen, I have now to declare this Council duly opened for the transaction of public business.

W. S. MOORHOUSE,
SUPERINTENDENT.