twenty-eight claims of this nature have been made in the Wellington district,
six hundred and fifty-six of which have already been finally disposed of; and six hundred and three Grants have been prepared for issue to the claimants. In the Nelson district, in like manner, all those claims which, under the existing state of the law, can be adjusted, have been disposed of, with the exception of a few which are attended by peculiar circumstances; and five hundred and seventy grants have been prepared for issue to the claimants in the Nelson district.

Great progress has therefore been made in putting titles to land in the New Zealand Company’s settlements upon a satisfactory footing.

In conformity with the terms of the Education Ordinance, Sess. VIII. No. 10, Inspectors have been appointed for those schools which are supported by public funds. The reports of those Inspectors, in so far as they have been received, shall be laid before you: from those reports you will find that the Industrial Schools established in various parts of New Zealand, for the benefit of the Native race, have been far more successful than could have been reasonably anticipated, and that there is now every reason to hope confidently that they will exercise a most important and useful influence upon the future of this country.

I am happy at being able to congratulate you upon the continued tranquillity which still prevails throughout New Zealand, and which I hope may, by judicious measures, be uninterruptedly maintained. The progress which these Islands continue to make in wealth and prosperity is most satisfactory. The Native population are making daily advances in the accumulation of wealth, and in the pursuits of industry; various instances have recently occurred in which they have purchased valuable pieces of land from Europeans for very considerable sums; they also now produce such large quantities of wheat, that the supplies which they thus afford have become a most important article of trade for the colony.

The European population have also, in many parts of the colony, largely extended their agricultural operations. There can, therefore, be little doubt that the exports of agricultural produce from New Zealand in the year 1853 will greatly exceed those of any previous year, whilst our exports of every kind also continue rapidly to increase; the demand for many of them in the neighbouring colonies is also greater than at any former period; and the prices they realize are far higher than was ever anticipated. A great stimulus has thus been given to production of every kind; and a vast amount of wealth will, it may therefore be reasonably anticipated, pour into these Islands.

If, then, we review the present circumstances of the colony, I think that every heart interested in the welfare of New Zealand must feel deeply imbued with gratitude to Divine Providence for the past, and full of hope for the future.

Within a few years we have seen war succeeded by permanent and lasting peace,—a discontented population in a state of rebellion become attached and industrious citizens. In the place of disaster, discontent, and want, we now see upon all sides prosperity, wealth, and comfort; and at the time that the peace and welfare of the colony appear thus consolidated, and it is therefore so well fitted to undergo political changes, new institutions of the most liberal character are conferred upon it, which, in so far as human sagacity can form an opinion upon the subject, appear likely to confirm and strengthen the present happiness of the country, and to assure its future progress and welfare.

This Council may, Gentlemen, during the short period it still has to exist, do much to promote the present prosperity, and to prepare the way for the more popular Legislatures which are to succeed it. You will, I am sure, feel the importance of, and earnestly strive to execute well this last task; and in the performance of this duty, which possesses a more than ordinary degree of interest, you may rely upon receiving my most cordial co-operation and assistance.

G. GREY.

Council Chamber,
December 22, 1852.

On the motion of the Attorney-General, seconded by the Colonial Secretary, the Address was ordered to be printed.

His Excellency laid on the Table "A Bill to appropriate the Revenue of the Provinces of New Ulster and New Munster for months, from the 1st day of January 1853."

Also "A Bill to provide for the Registration of Deeds and Instruments affecting Real Property, within the Canterbury Settlement."