396

THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

The Land Transfer Act of last Session has been brought into operation, and
I am glad to state that, though so short a time has elapsed, the progress of the
system, and its appreciation by owners of property, have been very marked.

The successful negotiation of a large part of the Loan authorized last year,
and the continuance of internal tranquillity, have enabled my Government to
initiate and carry on the colonizing policy of the late Parliament. Their endeavour
has been to give effect to that policy in the spirit in which it was framed, and
to apply the resources placed at their disposal for that purpose with frugality,
with fairness, and with a steadfast view to lasting results. It is with great satis-
faction that I have observed the general wish of the Native tribes in the interior
of the North Island to promote the formation of great lines of road through their
lands, and the practical proof which they give of their sincerity in that respect by
themselves joining in the work. Commencement has been made in the public
works authorized in the Middle Island; and Immigration will, in pursuance of the
instructions recently given, be secured to those Provinces which have availed
themselves of the provisions of the Immigration Act. You will, I feel sure,
concur with me that the introduction and settlement of suitable immigrants are
as necessary as the construction of large public works, and that both are essential
to the proper development of the resources and the lasting welfare of the Colony.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,—

The Estimates for the ensuing year will be laid before you. They will be
framed with a strict regard to economy.

I congratulate you on the very favourable terms on which a large part of
the Loan authorized by the Acts of last Session has been raised in London. The
arrangements, also, which have been effected with the Lords of Her Majesty's
Treasury in reference to the guaranteed Million Loan, are of a character to
enhance the credit of the Colony, and to facilitate its financial operations.

I regret to inform you that there has been a considerable falling off in the
Colonial Revenue during the year—as there has been in some of the Australian
Colonies. This, no doubt, is a consequence of the depressed value of the staple
articles of production, and the stagnation of commercial and manufacturing indus-
tries attributable to the great European war. The present revival in the value
of those products, the restoration of peace in Europe, the rapid growth of local
industries, and the progress of immigration and public works, justify the belief
that this depression is exceptional, and the hope that it will prove transitory.
It rests with you to adopt measures for equalizing the Revenue and Expenditure.

HONORABLE LEGISLATIVE COUNCILLORS, AND GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF
REPRESENTATIVES, —

It is of the greatest importance that elementary instruction should be more
widely diffused, and also that popular education should be raised to a higher
standard. A Bill will be laid before you to provide for both those ends.

The reduction in the Telegraph charges has resulted in a great increase
of business during the year.

A number of Convicts lately arrived in Canterbury from the Penal Settlement
of Western Australia. Steps were taken by my Government for their immediate
removal.

Among other measures, you will be asked to give your consideration to Bills
for improving the Law of Insolvency, for amending the Law relating to Gold
Fields, for conferring powers on Committees on Disputed Elections, for the regu-
lation of the Coasting Trade, for the encouragement of Fisheries, for conferring
powers on Highway Boards, for providing for the appointment of a Public Trustee,
for providing Land for the Settlement of Immigrants, and for the better regulation
of Charitable Trusts.

I trust that your deliberations may, under the guidance of Divine Providence,
contribute to the unity, peace, and prosperity of the Colony.

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