✨ Governor's Speech Text
51
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
these evils. Other measures for the consolidation, simplification, and
improvement of the existing Laws on various subjects, have also been
prepared, and will be submitted for your consideration.
The condition of the Native race' has, during the recess, received my
most earnest attention. To confirm the reliance of the Natives on the
wisdom and justice of our institutions, it is important that the principles,
and, to some extent, the details also of our Civil and Criminal Law should
be made known amongst them in a familiar shape. With this view, I
have directed the compilation, in the Native language, of a Summary of
English Law. This work has been executed with care, and is on
the eve of publication.
For some time past there has been observable an increasing
activity amongst the Native tribes in whatever relates to
their social organization. I believe that this movement, if well
directed, will lead to excellent results. Your attention will
accordingly be invited to measures devised to supply the
rapidly increasing social wants of the Aborigines. To guide and
assist this remarkable race in its efforts to emerge from barbarism, and
to qualify itself for the enjoyment of the full rights of British citizens,
is the most arduous duty of the Government of New Zealand. Your
co-operation with the Executive in this work is indispensable, and will,
I trust, be secured by the proposal of plans for the permanent welfare of
the Natives, founded on definite, liberal, and comprehensive principles.
While congratulating you on the generally peaceable and loyal disposition of the Maori Population, it is with much regret that I have to inform
you that the Native feud at New Plymouth still continues. Circumstances
have recently occurred which satisfied me that the interests of both races
imperatively demanded the intervention of the Government; and I have
acted accordingly.
The subject of the Postal Service of the Colony requires to be carefully considered. You will, I feel confident, recognize the importance of
establishing a system commensurate with the rapid increase of the
population, and the consequent necessity of conducting this service
with regularity and despatch, so as not only to keep pace with the
demands of the larger centres of population, but to encourage and
facilitate the settlement of the interior. With special reference to this
subject, it is necessary that provision be made for rendering the inland
portions of the country accessible by thoroughfares.
I have a firm reliance that the subjects to which I have alluded,
and others of importance to which your attention will be invited, will
receive your due consideration; and that, under the Blessing never
withheld from conscientious endeavour, you will so deal with the business
submitted to you as to promote the well-being of the people of both
races in these Islands.
Printed and Published by W. C. WILSON, for the New Zealand Government, at the Printing Office,
Shortland Crescent, Auckland.
NZ Gazette 1858, No 11
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Continuation of Governor's Speech Opening General Assembly Session
(continued from previous page)
🏛️ Governance & Central Administration10 April 1858
Law consolidation, Native race, Maori welfare, social organization, New Plymouth feud, Postal Service, thoroughfares