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The necessity at the present juncture of having a Fund for Public Improvements, and for Immigration from home, to the extent of finding hands for Contractors as well as for Colonists, has been strongly felt. Our Colony is at a point which calls for an appliance which its ordinary resources could not supply, but which, if timely afforded, would send it rapidly and independently ahead; and it is therefore proposed, that, out of the twenty millions of acres or thereby, of which the Province is composed, a fraction should be sold at 10s. an acre, and without conditions. Resolutions will be laid before you to this effect, and an arrangement proposed, by which large capitalists would be benefitted to the extent of that fraction—the demands of agricultural colonists, as secured by our Land Regulations, maintained—and Grazing Leases for 14 years made secure: these being the points desiderated in Australasia for being placed in harmony with each other. A Report upon this subject, by the Surveyor-General of New Zealand and the Principal Surveyor of Otago, jointly, will be laid before you.

Following out a Resolution passed in the last Session of the Council, enquiries were instituted so as to ascertain what amendments could be made satisfactory in the law for the Prevention of Disease among Sheep. After collating the information obtained, a Bill has been prepared giving effect to the recommendations and suggestions offered by those consulted. It being of the utmost importance to the valuable interests involved, that the subject should be well and maturely considered, I recommend it to your careful attention.

The following subjects, viz., the Local Municipal Estate, Colonial Intercourse by Steam, and Immigration, I think it my duty especially to recommend also to a share in your deliberations.

A letter from Mr. Ligar, on the existence of gold, will be laid before you for public information. It is right, however, to observe, that gold has been found for years past in Auckland and Nelson, but hitherto quite unremunerative; and that in no circumstances would it be advisable to allow any searcher to go upon a run without leave of the Lessee, or upon a native reserve without leave of the natives.

W. Cargill,
Superintendent.
Dunedin, 2nd December, 1856.

SPEECH OF HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT on proroguing the Provincial Council, 11th December, 1856.

GENTLEMEN,—I thank you for the zeal and assiduity with which you have discharged the duties of the present session of the Provincial Council.

Especially do I warmly thank you for adopting the large and liberal policy indicated by your measures, and, in a very marked manner, by the supplies which you have voted. The confidence you repose in me and the members of my Executive Council in granting those supplies is extremely gratifying; and I should ill requite that confidence did I not, under such encouragement, put forth my most strenuous efforts for realising those desirable objects which, in common with me, you contemplate; and at same time observe the most rigid economy consistent with their full accomplishment.

The measures which you have passed are pregnant with results that will affect in no ordinary degree the well-being of this Province—will give an enduring impress to its character, and will ensure to it a larger influence in the general councils of the colony than it now enjoys.

I have given my assent to the Cemeteries’ Ordinance, 1856; Town Cattle Trespass Ordinance, 1856; Ferries’ Ordinance Amendment Ordinance, 1856; Sheep Ordinance, 1856; Provincial Council Amendment Ordinance, 1856; Loan Ordinance, 1856; Appropriation Ordinance, 1856.

The Land Sales and Leases Bill, the Roads Ordinance Amendment Bill, and the Local Municipal Estate Bill, it is incumbent on me to reserve for the signification of the Governor’s pleasure thereon.

It now remains for me, Gentlemen, to release you from further attendance. And I do now declare the Provincial Council to stand prorogued until Wednesday, the 28th day of October, 1857, at 12 o’clock, noon.

W. Cargill,
Superintendent.
Dunedin, 11th December, 1856.