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failures, I once more submit a bill to regulate the sale of spirituous and fermented liquors. Already the efficiency of the new police organization has been evidenced in laying a heavy hand on that class who batten on the vices of their fellow men in open defiance of law and the dictates of humanity. I ask you to second the efforts of the authorities by so arranging for the legal sale of such liquors as not arbitrarily to control the legitimate wishes of the community, and invite to the commission of crime. A benevolence which cannot be too highly respected, will have a better and ampler scope for its efforts among a class who are free to act without a breach of the law. Let me ask you not to part without setting this matter at rest.

Among the bills which will be submitted for your consideration, is one for raising money on the mortgage or lease of portions of land in the Harbour, for which a crown grant has just been received. I have no doubt that an Ordinance, prepared in the spirit of those which are in existence in the Northern Island, will at once receive the sanction of his Excellency the Governor, and enable me with your approval to employ the probable surplus labour in a manner productive of great benefit to the trade and commerce of this City, without in any measure impairing the resources, or affecting the credit of the Province as regards other loans raised on the security of its unsold lands. In anticipation of this sanction, I shall ask you to advance a sum of money out of the general revenue; and I will in due course lay before you, by message a plan of the operations which I propose to undertake in connection with this fund.

By the mail which has just arrived, I have received intimation from the General Government of their appreciation of our peculiar position, and assurances of their desire to afford us every assistance. This communication has been particularly acceptable, and will be an incentive to continued efforts in the performance of an arduous and responsible duty.

Gentlemen, I will not any longer detain you beyond the expression of a hope that our mutual endeavours righteously, judiciously, and impartially to perform our respective duties, may receive the assistance and approval of Him without whose aid our best efforts will be of no avail.

I now declare this Council open for the dispatch of business.

J. RICHARDSON,
SUPERINTENDENT.

REPLY.

WE, THE MEMBERS of the Provincial Council, desire to express our satisfaction at the hopeful views of the prosperity of the Province which your Honor entertains, and to convey our appreciation of the disinterested conduct of Mr. G. Reid, the discoverer of the Tuapeka Gold Fields.

We concur with your Honor in the view that whilst the opportunity afforded by the influx of Immigrants into the Province should be taken advantage of for the vigorous prosecution of public works, due caution should be exercised in regulating the expenditure of public moneys to the probable receipts of revenue, and that in supplementing any deficiency by loans, we should be especially careful to avoid overburdening the future resources of the colony.

It is, therefore, with pleasure we learn that your Honor proposes to relieve the public revenue of the burden of constructing public works connected with the harbour, and that provision will be made for facilitating the traffic and commerce of Dunedin, from an endowment especially applicable thereto.

We cordially concur in your Honor's remark, that protection of life and property is the first duty of the State; and have to thank Your Honor for your prompt action upon the discretionary powers vested in you by resolution of the Provincial Council, in the establishment of an efficient police force; and we have furthermore to assure you that we shall at all times consider it our duty to place at the disposal of the Government, such supplies as may be necessary to carry out so important an object for the public welfare.

Not less earnestly do we desire, that the Education of the young should be placed on a satisfactory footing, and whilst promising our aid in so desirable an object, we trust that the important duty of Education may receive that support from the people of the Province which it is their duty and privilege to afford.

We, together with your Honor, recognise the importance of making suitable provision for the public buildings of the Province, as the exigencies of the occasion may demand.

The various measures submitted to us by your Honor, will receive our early and earnest attention.

The peculiar and novel position in which the Province has been placed by the Gold discoveries has, we are aware, necessitated the departure of your Honor from the ordinary rule of procedure, and has prevented you from carrying out to their full extent those public works and improvements for which moneys were appropriated.

The sudden influx of persons, many without the means of support, has, we are aware, necessitated your Honor's taking prompt measures to afford to such persons employment on public works; but while fully concurring in the wisdom of your proceeding, we desire to express our conviction, that as far as possible all public works should be executed by contract, and that the Government, should avoid all unnecessary interference with the Labour Market.

Whilst reciprocating your Honor's congratulations on the prospects of the Province, and your good wishes for its future prosperity, we cannot refrain from expressing our sympathy with your Honor in the many trials you have experienced, and the difficulties you have overcome in your endeavours to promote the welfare of this community; and we cordially respond to the hope that our mutual endeavours to perform our respective duties, may receive the assistance and approval of Him, without whom our efforts will be of no avail.

Adopted 24th October,

A. KENNIE,
Speaker.

ROBT. CHAPMAN,
Clerk of Council.