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this subject, it is impossible to touch upon
many reasons in support of the opinion I
have expressed in reference to the cost of the
native war. A discussion of the policy of
the late war would be extra-functional on
your part, nevertheless it is not only within
the limits of your proper functions to discuss
the legality or policy of any and all rumoured
general financial arrangements likely to
affect the revenues of the Provincial Go-
vernment, as settled by existing statutes and
customs, but it may also not unfrequently
be your duty to give effect to your opinions
on such matters by way of memorial or
resolution.

The recent discovery of gold in the adjoin-
ing Province of Otago will, I anticipate, be
productive of immediate as well as great
ultimate advantage to Canterbury. Not-
withstanding that great numbers of our
ablest and most respectable working settlers
have visited the gold fields, I am well advised
that no injury will result to us on that
account, as it is probable that nearly every
man will return to his home with increased
means. Further, we may expect a very use-
ful addition to our capitalists and labouring
population from Australia, by way of
Otago.

From representations made by the Pro-
vincial Geologist, Mr. Haast, I am prepared
for the discovery of a gold field in the
northern and one also in the southern dis-
trict of Canterbury.

The Lyttelton and Christchurch Railway
is progressing satisfactorily. Papers relating
to the purchase of the site, together with a
statement of all disbursements on the rail-
way works, will be submitted to you.

With reference to the ocean postal service
of Canterbury, I will only remark that its
past and present condition render it desirable
that the Province should make immediate
provision for the more speedy transmission
of its own mails. The Otago English mail
was delivered in Dunedin a week ago; the
Canterbury mail had not this morning arrived
in Lyttelton, nothwithstanding both mails
arrived in Australia per same vessel.

The greatly increased and rapidly in-
creasing population of the principal towns
of the Province has brought with it a daily
increasing necessity for the outlay of very
considerable sums of money upon numerous
works and appliances indispensable both in a
social and sanitary point of view. As it
would be eminently unjust to charge the
general revenue of the Province with the
sole maintenance of the towns, it is a matter
of imminent necessity that they should at once
assume the management of their own inter-
nal affairs. All the machinery at present
required for this end is to be found in the
Municipal Councils Ordinance, Sess. XIV.,
No. 2, it is perfectly evident that the major
portion of the outlay on public works within the
boundaries of towns in New Zealand, as in all
other parts of the world, must be charged on
the inhabitants and properties therein. How-
ever distasteful or alarming the word taxation
may be to colonial ears, yet it will be found
that taxation is a condition inseparable from
health and comfort in towns.

From facts within the knowledge of Go-
vernment, I am firmly of opinion that with
regard to the inhabitants of the two principal
towns in Canterbury, their choice of alterna-
tives will very shortly be limited to taxation
or typhus fever. It is my intention to ask
your concurrence in a scheme for the endow-
ment of such towns as shall accept Municipal
Government.

I shall request your deliberation on certain
measures for improving the organization of
the armed police force, making better pro-
visions for the diversion of roads, and the
suppression of the dog nuisance—an English
Agents' Bill—Housekeeper's Bill—Roads
Diversion—Road Ordinance, and Public
Hospital Amendment Bill. In the course of
this session, I shall ask you to make provision
for steam communication with Melbourne;
also for coastal service between the different
parts of this province and Otago; for the
erection of a beacon or lighthouse on the
heads of Lyttelton harbour; a Lunatic
Asylum; also a great number of minor re-
quirements.

The estimated expenditure of the present
financial year has been, together with the
estimated revenue for the same period, care-
fully compiled.

Gentlemen,—Having very briefly adverted
to the leading matters of business to be pre-
sented for your acceptance this session, before
leaving you to the commencement of your
labours, I beg to assure you of my confidence
that nothing will arise to interrupt the good
understanding with the Council which is
necessary to promote the effective transaction
of public business. Gentlemen, I have now
to declare this Council to be duly opened.

PROCLAMATION

Containing Regulations under the Diseased
Cattle Act, 1861.

WHEREAS by the "Diseased Cattle
Act, 1861," it was provided that
the Governor in Council might, by warrant
under his hand, from time to time delegate
to the Superintendent of any Province within
the said Colony, all or any of the powers
vested in the Governor or Governor in
Council by the said Act, subject to such regu-
lations as he might think fit, and might from
time to time rescind such delegation: and
whereas the said Governor hath, with the
advice and consent of the Executive Council
of New Zealand, delegated to William Sefton
Moorhouse, Esquire, so long as he shall hold
the office of Superintendent of the Province
of Canterbury, the several powers vested in
the said Governor by the second, fourth,
fifth, seventh, ninth, and tenth sections
of the said Act, subject to being rescinded
as in the said Act provided, and subject to
the regulations issued by the Governor in
Council on the First day of October, One
Thousand Eight Hundred and Sixty-one, and
to any other regulations to be from time to
time duly made.

Now, therefore, I, the said William Sefton
Moorhouse, by virtue of such powers in me
vested, do hereby proclaim and declare:—