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voted shall be expended with the utmost economy consistent with efficiency.

Gentlemen of the Assembly,—

Under the peculiar circumstances of the present Session, legislation has not been of an important character. Questions of great public interest have not been dealt with; these have been rightly deferred until they can be considered by a Legislature more fully attended, and assisted in their deliberations by a responsible Ministry.

All the Bills which have been passed by the Assembly I have had much pleasure in assenting to on behalf of Her Majesty, and I trust these measures will be found to effect beneficial changes in the Law.

In the position in which I now am it would be impossible to deal satisfactorily with many subjects of importance, I shall therefore defer all matters not requiring immediate attention until the contemplated change in the Government shall have taken place.

In the exercise of the power conferred upon me by the Constitution Act, it is my intention to dissolve this Assembly without delay.

In the absence of any measures on the part of the General Assembly, determining otherwise, the next Session will be convened and held in Auckland, as soon as it may be convenient to the members from the distant Provinces to leave their private affairs.

It is my earnest hope and belief, that the several Constituencies of the Colony, duly appreciating their responsibility, and guided by an All-wise Providence, will exercise their important functions in the manner best calculated to secure the services of Representatives who will efficiently aid me in my endeavours to develop the resources of the country, to elevate the moral and social condition of its inhabitants, to preserve that perfect civil freedom and religious equality, which is now enjoyed by all classes and denominations of Her Majesty’s subjects, and by these means to promote the happiness and increase the prosperity of the people of this favored Colony.

I now prorogue this Assembly until the first day of October, 1855.

THOMAS GORE BROWNE.

Auckland, New Zealand,
15th September, 1855.

PROCLAMATION.

By His Excellency Colonel THOMAS GORE BROWNE, Companion of the most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor and Commander-in-Chief in and over the Colony of New Zealand, &c., &c., &c.

WHEREAS by an Act of the Imperial Parliament passed in the fifteenth and sixteenth years of the Reign of Her Majesty Queen Victoria, Cap. 72, intituled “An Act to Grant a Representative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand,” it is enacted that there shall be within the Colony of New Zealand a General Assembly, to consist of the Governor, a Legislative Council, and a House of Representatives.

And whereas it is by the said in part recited Act further enacted that the Governor may at his pleasure prorogue or dissolve the said General Assembly.

Now therefore I, the Governor, do by this Proclamation dissolve the General Assembly of New Zealand accordingly.

Given under my hand and issued under the public seal of the Colony of New Zealand, at Auckland, in the Colony aforesaid, this fifteenth day of September, in the nineteenth year of Her Majesty’s reign, and in the year of our Lord One thousand eight hundred and fifty-five.

(Signed) THOMAS GORE BROWNE,
Governor.

By his Excellency’s command,
ANDREW SINCLAIR,
Colonial Secretary.

GOD SAVE THE QUEEN!

PROCLAMATION.

By His Excellency Colonel THOMAS GORE BROWNE, Companion of the most Honorable Order of the Bath, Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, &c., &c., &c.

WHEREAS by an Act of the Imperial Parliament, passed in the fifteenth and sixteenth years of the Reign of Her present Majesty, cap. 72, intituled “An Act to grant a Representative Constitution to the Colony of New Zealand,” the several Provinces of Auckland, New Plymouth, Wellington, Nelson, Canterbury, and Otago are thereby established; and it is enacted that for each of the said Provinces there shall be a Superintendent and Provincial Council.

And whereas by the said Act it is further enacted that every Provincial Council shall continue for the period of four years from the day of the return of the Writs for choosing the same, and no longer. Provided always that it shall be lawful for the Governor of New Zealand, by Proclamation or otherwise, to dissolve the same whenever he shall think it expedient so to do.

Now therefore I, the Governor of the Colony of New Zealand, do by this Proclamation dissolve the Provincial