422
THE NEW ZEALAND GAZETTE.

Bay and on the East Coast. I visited the Arawa tribes of the Bay of Plenty and
Taupo, and also those of the Thames, as well as the large and influential Ngapuhi and
Rarawa tribes of the North, by all of whom I was received in the most cordial and
loyal manner. The kindly feeling which I found existing between these tribes and the
European settlers in their districts, together with the increasing desire on the part of
the Natives to adopt the practices of civilized countries, as evinced by the requests
made, especially by the Ngapuhi tribe, for the construction of roads and telegraphs,
and the establishment of Courts of Justice and schools, afford the most promising
guarantee for the future peace and prosperity of the colony.

You will also learn with pleasure that in other Native districts besides those to
which I have referred, the relations between the two races continue to improve.
Recent interviews between the Minister for Native Affairs and Tawhiao and other
leading Waikato chiefs, have been of a highly satisfactory character.

The results from the portions of railway opened for traffic are encouraging and
assuring. Beyond the good effected by promoting settlement, the railways already
yield, in excess of working expenses, a material contribution towards the interest on
the cost of their construction.

The prosperity of the colony continues unabated. The prospects of the
agricultural and industrial interests are satisfactory, and there are notable evidences
of improvement in the results from mining of all descriptions.

Not the least pleasing feature of the progress of the colony is the remarkable
extent to which persons possessed of capital are coming from other colonies and
countries, to invest their means and settle in New Zealand.

I direct your earnest attention to a measure which will be proposed to you
for largely altering the system of dealing with and disposing of Native Lands.

GENTLEMEN OF THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES, -

The estimates of expenditure for the coming year, framed as far as possible
to meet all the conditions arising from the Abolition of the Provinces, will be laid
before you without delay. I invite your consideration of the papers relating to the
negotiations which my Government have entered into with the Bank of England.

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

My Advisers are forcibly impressed with the necessity of enlarging the
facilities for acquiring land in moderate-sized blocks, for cultivation and settlement.
A Bill for the purpose will be submitted to you. It will also contain provisions for
continuing the local administration of the Waste Lands.

Various other measures will be placed before you as the time of the Session
permits. Amongst them will be a Bill to consolidate and amend the Laws relating to
Boroughs, a Bill to amend the Debtors and Creditors Act, a measure to consolidate
the Laws relating to Public Works and Immigration, and Bills amending the Laws
relating to Friendly Societies and to Building Societies.

I commit to your grave consideration the business of the Session; and I pray
that the Almighty will so guide and order your deliberations, that they may be
productive of happiness and prosperity to the people of New Zealand.

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