REPLY

TO THE ADDRESS OF HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT, AT THE OPENING OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL, ON THE 26TH DAY OF NOVEMBER, 1862.

We desire to congratulate your Honor upon the undeniable evidences of prosperity which abound on every side; and, as we acknowledge that this prosperity is mainly owing to the existence of a very extensive and highly remunerative Gold Field, so we shall be prepared to unite with your Honor in the adoption of such measures as will encourage the development of the mining interest, and open out the communications of the interior with the coast line.

We shall be prepared, when the Estimates are before us, to enter into their consideration with a due regard to the requirements of the whole Province, and will take measures to adjust the strength and remuneration of the different Departments to the duties required of them, and the circumstances of the times.

The completion of the Main Roads of the Province, and the maintenance of those already made, will receive our earnest attention as subjects of paramount importance.

The important question connected with Telegraphic Communication, the establishment of Light Houses, and the Expedition to the West Coast, will all be maturely considered so soon as your Honor shall communicate with us on these subjects.

Our warmest sympathies being, as your Honor justly observes, with our gallant, long-suffering fellow-colonists of Taranaki, we shall be prepared unanimously to denounce the proceedings which you may lay before us with a view to their relief.

The influx of a criminal class from Australia and Tasmania we regard as an evil of the greatest magnitude, which we shall consider it our duty to assist in removing by every constitutional means within our power.

We shall gladly avail ourselves of your Honor’s suggestion, by making a public recognition of the devotion and untiring exertion of the late Captain Cargill, the first Superintendent of this Province, and the leader of the Colony.

We cordially participate in your Honor’s anxiety on the subject of the disposal of the Crown Lands of the Province. The question is beset with many difficulties, but we assure your Honor that we shall approach the consideration of it with an earnest desire to effect the settlement and improvement of the country in such a manner as may promote the interests of the State, and every class residing within its boundaries.

We thank your Honor for the assurance that you will concur with us in a memorial to His Excellency the Governor to dissolve the Council so soon as the session is concluded.

Adopted November 27th, 1863.

ALEX. RENNIE, Speaker.

TUTU PLANT.

The following document is published for general information:

Waitahuna, 3rd December, 1862.

Sir—I have the honor to forward, for your information, a description of the Tutu Plant, as requested in your of the 24th ult., for insertion in the public press; I append a brief description of the same.

I have the honor to be, Sir,
Your most obedient servant,
W. R. G. S[...]
Superintendent’s Office, Dunedin and Clutha.

T. Dick, Esq.,
Provincial Secretary, Dunedin.

NOTICE TO NEW ARRIVALS.

The public are hereby cautioned against eating or using internally the Tutu Plant, the same being poisonous, and several persons having lost their lives by it.

The Tutu belongs to the Coriaria family, a shrub growing from three to four feet in height, with opposite square branches and opposite simple ribbed leaves, somewhat resembling the well-known Senna leaf. The stem is very tenacious when green, the entire plant presenting a somewhat olive hue in the months of November and December. The berries of the Tutu are not unlike those of the elder tree, hanging in strings instead of clusters, as is the case with the elder. The poisonous properties of the Tutu has been long known in Otago from the number of human beings and also of cattle that have died through its poisonous effects.

MESSAGE No. 5.

THE SUPERINTENDENT loses no time after the receipt of the intimation that the “Criminals’ Bill, 1862,” has passed the Council, in assenting to the same on behalf of His Excellency the Governor.

J. L. C. RICHARDSON,
Superintendent.

To the Provincial Council of Otago.

MESSAGE, No. 12.

THE SUPERINTENDENT intimates that he has assented to the “Executive Council Bill, 1862.”

J. L. C. RICHARDSON,
Superintendent.

To the Provincial Council of Otago.
15th December, 1862.

TENDERS will be received at the office of the Provincial Secretary until 4 p.m. of Tuesday, the 30th instant, for the erection of a Fence round the Recreation Grounds, Dunedin.

Plans and specifications may be seen, and forms of tender obtained, at the office of the Provincial Engineer.

By order,
THOMAS DICK,
Provincial Secretary.

16th December, 1862.