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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

satisfaction to inform you that one of the questions which has engaged his atten-
tion—that of the complicated accounts between the Imperial and Colonial
Governments—has been settled, and a source of prolonged controversy and
constant irritation consequently removed.

The Act passed during your last session, erecting the District of Westland
into a County, and making temporary provision for its government, was brought
into operation on the 1st January last. While the working of this measure since
that date has shown the necessity for considerable amendments, which, from its
provisional character, might have been reasonably anticipated, the result of this
important experiment may, on the whole, be considered satisfactory. A Bill will
be submitted to you for effecting the various amendments which experience
has shown to be necessary.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, —

The Estimates for the ensuing year will shortly be submitted to you. These
Estimates have been resolutely reduced to the lowest amount required to maintain
the Public Service.

The Public Accounts will be laid before you.

I am happy to be able to inform you, notwithstanding the commercial
depression which this country, in common with other portions of the Empire, has
laboured under, that if the resources of the country are not further anticipated by
loans, there will be no need to impose additional burdens on the people in order
to maintain the public credit and an efficient Government.

HONORABLE GENTLEMEN AND GENTLEMEN, —

A Bill will be submitted to you for securing to rural districts powers for
effecting Public Works necessary for their progress, and for allotting to them a
fair share of the Land Fund.

My Government have not thought it advisable to exercise the very large
powers conferred by an Act of last Session for legalizing the manufacture of spirits,
but a Bill will be introduced which will include all necessary legal provisions for
enabling distillation to be carried on.

Several very important Bills will also be submitted to you for declaring,
amending, and consolidating the Law relating to Real Property, the Registration
of Deeds, Police Offences, Frauds in Trade, and other subjects, and for assimilating
the Law of Treason to that of Great Britain.

In accordance with your desire, a Commission has been appointed to enquire
into the operation of the laws now in force relative to the custody and treatment
of Prisoners, especially of those sentenced to long periods of imprisonment. The
Report of the Commission will shortly be laid before you.

Although labouring under many difficulties, and charged with the solution
of intricate political problems, which cannot be dealt with summarily, I have every
confidence that the good sense, patience, and mutual forbearance of the people
of these Islands will secure the happiest results, and will gradually adjust the
finances and the political constitution of the Colony to the progressive require-
ments of the people.

I commend to your wisdom the consideration of the many important subjects
which may claim your attention, and I pray that the blessing of God may guide
your counsels to the promotion of the happiness of the people of New Zealand.

Printed under the authority of the New Zealand Government, by GEORGE DIDSBURY, Government Printer, Wellington.