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THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Owing to delay in obtaining the ratification of the Parliament of New South
Wales, no effect has yet been given to the agreement approved by you last year
between the Colonies of New South Wales, Queensland, and New Zealand, for
establishing telegraphic communication between New Zealand and Australia, and
between Queensland and Singapore. The approval of the Parliament of New South
Wales, which has recently reached this Government, will, it is hoped, enable measures
to be shortly taken to promote a communication so important to this colony.

The general prosperity which prevails throughout the country will be a
gratifying proof to you of the wisdom of the provisions which you have made for at
the same time increasing the population and enlarging and putting to profitable uses
the resources of the colony.

The continued peaceful relations with the Native race, and the disposition which
the Maoris evince to recognize in your policy a desire to promote the interests of both
races, are subjects calculated to afford you the utmost gratification.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES,----

Estimates framed with a due regard to economy, but which necessarily indicate
the largely increased work of administration, will be laid before you.

The very considerable increase in the Revenue will give you confidence in con-
tinuing the great public works of the colony, and in expending money upon
Immigration.

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

I am pleased to assure you of the continued success of the Government
system of Life Assurance and Annuities. The time has come when it is desirable
you should stamp upon this institution the unselfish nature of the motives which
called it into existence, by deciding to relinquish to those who, by using it, have
responded to your desire to cultivate provident habits, the profits which may arise
from it. My Advisers will submit to you a measure which will contain provision for
periodically allotting to the policy-holders such profits as may be considered safely
divisible.

Papers will be presented to you which will enable you to judge that my
Advisers consider that the Polynesian Islands, their civilization, settlement,
commerce, and forms of government, present problems of great interest and
importance to this colony.

Measures will be submitted to provide an additional Electoral Qualification; to
create and conserve State Forests as a colonial property; to provide a means for
guarding against difficulties which may arise in consequence of continued differences
of opinion betwee between the two branches of the Legislature; and to make provision for
various requirements of a more or less pressing nature.

The urgent demands upon their administrative attention consequent on the rapid
progress of the colony, and the many matters to which that progress makes prompt
attention desirable, lead my Advisers to think it expedient not to invite legislation
upon questions which do not press for immediate solution.

The responsible duties you are about to discharge will, I hope, under the blessing
of Divine Providence, further add to the welfare of the colony, and the happiness of
its people of both races.

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