THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE. 3373

trust, be able to congratulate the Council in due
course upon most, if not the whole, of the works
authorized by it being either completed or in pro-
gress. I need not say that practically the chief
function which is now left to the Provincial Council
is the appropriation of the moneys at the disposal of
the Province, and as the revenue up to the 31st
March has been already fully appropriated, I am
unable to see what public benefit could result
from calling the Council together at present,
the more especially seeing that the expenditure
usually involved in holding a session of Council
(£2,000) may be more beneficially expended other-
wise. If there were any great question of public
policy, requiring an immediate expression of the
opinion of the Council, I should not for a mo-
ment hesitate in at once convening it, either on
pecuniary or any other grounds. As it is, how-
ever, I can see no possible object to be gained
by an immediate session, excepting personal in-
convenience to many of the members, and perhaps
an acrimonious discussion as to the Executive
changes at present in progress-a discussion which,
however gratifying, either in itself or in its results, it
might be to individuals, can be productive of no
practical advantage whatever in so far as the public
interest is concerned.

which the Superintendent has yet to learn was un-
constitutional, and which he should feel bound to
adopt again under similar circumstances. The fact
that the leader of the late Executive, by accepting
office in the Colonial Ministry, assumed a position
both incompatible with that of head of the Provincial
Executive, and with his responsibilities to the Pro-
vincial Council, amply warranted the Superintendent's
action in the matter-action which was due alike to
the dignity of the Provincial Council itself and to
the Superintendent's own position. The constitu-
tional position of the members of Executive is
not, as some would have it, to be a check upon and to
thwart the Superintendent, but to render him advice
and assistance on all questions of policy, and in pro-
moting the public interests-advice and assistance
which, in the nature of things, could not be rendered
by a Minister of the Crown at Wellington.

In order to the successful working of the Constitu-
tion, of which the Superintendent and the Provincial
Council are each an integral part, it is of the utmost
importance that more correct notions should prevail
as to their position in relation to each other, so that
neither may arrogate to themselves the functions of
the other. Probably it would serve no good purpose
to dilate upon the question at present; let it suffice
to say that the Superintendent deprecates nothing
more than being at variance with the Provincial
Council. He would willingly sacrifice much in order
to work together harmoniously; at the same time he
cannot ignore the fact that he has responsibilities
equally with the Provincial Council, and he is for-
tified in the conviction that his action in the matter
in question has vindicated an important principle, has
conduced to the public good, and has met with the
approval of the people of Otago, to whom he is pri-
marily responsible. Referring to his opening address,
the Superintendent had hoped that the Provincial
Council would have reciprocated at least some of the
opinions expressed by him with regard to various
matters bearing upon the advancement of the Pro-
vince; instead of which, however, the Council appears
altogether to have ignored the matters referred to.
As it is, the Superintendent cannot but feel that there
is, between the majority of the Council and himself,
an absence of that mutual desire for progress, and
of that community of sentiment, which are so essential
to the promotion of the public weal. Under all the
circumstances of the case, therefore, the Super-
intendent is of opinion that it would be better to
afford the people an opportunity of electing a Super-
intendent and Provincial Council which may work
together harmoniously; with which view he respect-
fully solicits the concurrence of the Provincial Coun-
cil in an application to His Excellency the Governor
for an immediate dissolution.

I have, &c.,

J. MACANDREW.

J. MACANDREW, Superintendent.

Dunedin, 12th May, 1873.

[D.]
Proposed reply moved by Mr. Fish-"We join with your Honor in expressing satis-
faction at the steady advancement which has
characterized the progress of the Province during
the past year. We have to assure you that the
many important proposals suggested by you will
have our earnest consideration. As respects the
executive changes which have taken place dur-
ing the recess, no doubt much may be said.
We are of opinion, however, that it will serve no
practical purpose to discuss the subject now, and
shall be prepared to deal with the policy of the
Government upon its merits."

[E.]
Mr. Reid's amendment-"That this Council is of opinion that the appoint-
ment of the gentlemen at present occupying the
Government benches, and their retention of office, is
in direct opposition to the system of responsible
Government sanctioned by the Council, and this
Council hereby records its protest against any Go-
vernment being appointed or holding office under
such circumstances."

[F.]
Dr. Webster moved-"That this Council do not approve of the action
of His Honor the Superintendent in dismissing the
late Executive and appointing another, without
immediately calling the Council together, and while
having confidence in the present Executive, thinks,
from the mode of their appointment, that in the
interests of the Province, and to settle the question,
they should resign.

[G.]
Message No. 3.-Referring to the amendment
to the proposed reply to his opening address to
the Provincial Council, the Superintendent desires
to express his regret that a majority of the Council
has seen fit to censure the action which, in the exer-
cise of a public duty, and having regard to the
public interests, he felt constrained to take in con-
nection with the late Executive changes-action

[H.]
Message No. 5.-Referring to his Message No.
3, in which the Superintendent, for the reasons
therein stated, solicited the concurrence of the
Provincial Council in an application to His Excellency
the Governor for an immediate dissolution, and to
which there has been no reply, the Superintendent
again desires to reiterate this request, and to express
a hope that in the public interest the Council may
see its way to concur in the proposed application.
The fact that the Provincial Council has now been
ten days' in session, at a cost of some £500 to £600,
without any practical result, speaks for itself, and
furnishes an additional reason for the adoption of the
course now indicated. In the event of the proposed
dissolution being granted by His Excellency, it is