remedied by other Constitutional means, through the
action of the General Assembly, it may be my duty to
convene you at an earlier period; in which case I feel
assured that you will not be wanting, and that you will
be true to the trust which has been reposed in you.

The action which has taken place under the Goldfields Provincial Management Ordinance, 1867, in so
far as the returns have been sent, exhibited on the part
of all classes of the people through the Province, a
degree of unanimity in asserting their right to manage
their own Provincial affairs, which has rarely been
exemplified in any community. The issue, so far as it
has gone, clearly testifies, that if the Representatives of
the Province were as they ought to be, a reflex of the
intelligent convictions of the people, there would be
little difficulty in repelling the inroads which have been
made upon the Constitution. As it is, it cannot but be
a matter of deep regret to all of us, that those energies
which would otherwise be devoted exclusively to the
great work of Colonising the Province, and of turning its
resources to account, are compelled to be expended in
resisting the aggressive tendencies—repressive of progress—of the General Government; a state of things
which I earnestly hope may speedily come to an end.

As regards your two resolutions respecting the
declaration of fresh Hundreds, they will be forwarded
to the General Government; but I deem it necessary to
observe concerning them, that one relates to land within
Goldfields, and that no provision has been made by you
for removing it therefrom. The other refers to runs,
leases of which have been granted within the last few
months, at an increased rental. I am aware that these
leases have been granted subject to the declaration of
Hundreds; but unless it can be held that circumstances
have occurred since the granting of these leases which
render the declaration of the runs in question into
Hundreds absolutely necessary, I fear that such action,
immediately following the receipt of an increased rent,
would savour of bad faith on the part of the Province.

I must express my regret that, in recommending the
declaration of Hundreds, the Council does not appear
to have adopted that caution which has hitherto been,
and which should always be, observed in connection
with such matters.

It has, I believe, been invariably the custom for the
Council to ask for official reports before committing
itself to such recommendations; and to see that there
should remain on the records of the House the evidence
upon which such recommendations have been based. It
appears to me, now that leases have been substituted
for licenses, and increased rentals imposed, that cautious
consideration should be increased, rather than relaxed.

As a constituent part of the Provincial Legislature, I
desire to state the course which I shall invariably adopt
with regard to the Proclamation of Hundreds while I
hold office.

I will forward to the proper quarter the recommendations of the Council, and the remarks of the Executive
thereon; but, unless these recommendations are associated with one of the two following courses, I shall, on
my behalf, as a rule, decline to endorse them:

1st. That the recommendations be sent down by
Message, with the advice of the Executive.

2nd. If brought forward by a private member, that
they be not adopted before an official report respecting
them has been laid on the Table, or until a Select Committee has examined into and reported upon them.

My reason for laying down for myself this course of
conduct is evident. The good faith of the Province is
concerned in the Proclamation of Hundreds, and every
precaution should be taken that the interests of the runholder shall give way only to the bona fide requirements
of settlement duly ascertained. I need scarcely add,
that I will at all times concur with the Council in providing that there shall be always abundance of land in
the market to meet the requirements of the market.

Gentlemen, I have now to declare this Council prorogued, and it stands prorogued accordingly.

HIS Honor the Superintendent
directs it to be
notified that he has been pleased to appoint
MR. JAMES CALDWELL
to be Gaoler of Dunedin Gaol, vice John Stoddart,
resigned.

Julius Vogel,
Provincial Secretary.

11th June, 1867.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs the following
Executive changes to be notified:

Julius Vogel, Esquire,
to be Provincial Secretary and Treasurer,

George Duncan, Esquire,
to be Secretary for Lands and Public Works.

John Logan,
Secretary to Superintendent.

11th June, 1867.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs it to be
notified, that he has been pleased to appoint
WILLIAM LOGIE, Esq.,
to be Chief Inspector of Sheep for the Province of
Otago, vice Jas. Thomson, Esq., resigned; resignation
to take effect on 31st June current; and appointment
to date from 31st June current.

Julius Vogel,
Provincial Treasurer.

8th June, 1867.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs it to be
notified, that he has been pleased to appoint
JOHN HUGHES, Esq., M.P.C.,
to be a Member of the Executive Council of the Province of Otago.

George Duncan,
Provincial Secretary.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs it to be
notified, that he has been pleased to appoint the
following gentlemen to be Provincial
Government
Agents on the Gold Fields of the Province of Otago:

John Mackay, Esq., Tuapeka.

Borthwick R. Baird, Esq., Mount Ida.

John Hay, Esq., Clyde.

George Duncan,
Provincial Secretary.

1st June, 1867.

HIS Honor the Superintendent directs it to be
notified, that he has been pleased to make the
following appointments, viz.:

Foot Constable EDWARD GALLAGHER, No. 341,
to be Inspector of Slaughter Yards for Queenstown,
vice Rowley, discharged.

Mounted Constable THOMAS McGANN, No. 240,
to be Inspector of Slaughter Yards at Arrowtown, vice
Amies, resigned.

Foot Constable JAMES MORGAN, No. 410,
to be Inspector of Slaughter Yards at Waitahuna, vice
Smyth, transferred.

George Duncan,
Provincial Secretary.

8th June, 1867.

WARRANT

Appointing an Officer for the Revision of the Citizens’
List, and for other purposes in the Incorporated
Town of Alexandra, in the Province of Otago.

WHEREAS the Town of Alexandra has been
incorporated under the provisions of the “Otago
Municipal Corporations Ordinance, 1865;” and whereas
by the 113th Section of the said Ordinance, it is