✨ Governor's Prorogation Speech
444
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.
GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, —
I thank you for the Supplies which you have granted for the Public Service
of the year; they shall be administered with all due care.
HONOURABLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, —
I cannot but congratulate you on the friendly feeling towards New Zealand
which the Commissioners sent to Great Britain to communicate with the Imperial
Government have succeeded in establishing.
The adoption of the Torrens system of Land Transfer, which has for some years
past been worked with great success in South Australia and other neighbouring
Colonies, will no doubt be attended here with the same advantages as elsewhere—it
will simplify the complicated law of landed estate, and make it as easily transferable
as any other species of property. Although apparently a mere administrative improve-
ment, this measure really embodies a great social and economical reform.
The Act which provides for the use of the Ballot in the elections of Members of
the House of Representatives and of Provincial Councils, will, I hope, prove a useful
measure, facilitating the taking of votes, and securing the Franchise from abuse.
I congratulate you on your desire to increase the trade of the Colony, and to
extend its connection with the rest of the world, as evidenced by your making provision
for a Mail Service to England via San Francisco, and by the several measures of com-
mercial importance which you have passed during the Session. The Act for reuniting
the Provinces of Otago and Southland, and that for readjusting the financial relations
of the Colony and the Provinces, afford proof of the elasticity of the existing
institutions of the country, and of the readiness with which modifications to suit
changes of circumstances can be effected.
I am sure you will join with me in deploring the intelligence just received of the
commencement of a great European war, and in hoping that it will soon be brought
to a close, and that the friendly relations of Great Britain with foreign countries may
not be imperilled.
In releasing you from your labours, I will express a hope that under the blessing
of God they may be found to be the means of advancing the prosperity of the Country,
of consolidating the peaceful relations between the two races which inhabit it, and
promoting their general welfare.
Printed under the authority of the New Zealand Government, by GEORGE DIDSBURY, Government Printer, Wellington.
NZ Gazette 1870, No 48
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
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Governor's Speech Proroguing Fifth Session of Parliament
(continued from previous page)
🏛️ Governance & Central Administration13 September 1870
Parliament, Governor's Speech, Land Transfer Act, Ballot, Provincial relations, European War
- George Didsbury, Government Printer