(Omitted at the date of prorogation.)

ADDRESS OF HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT AT THE PROROGATION OF THE COUNCIL.

MR. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL:—

Having disposed of the special business of the Session, it now only remains for me to thank you for your attendance.

Although the results of the Session, as respects the placing in the market of land for settlement—the construction of the Southern Trunk Railway—and Immigration—have not been such as I could have desired, or might have anticipated, I am at the same time fain to hope that the Session will not prove fruitless in other respects.

Your various resolutions respecting Public Reserves, Re-union with Southland, Water Supply on Gold Fields, Mining Surveyors’ Report, &c., &c., shall have my best attention.

On behalf of the Governor I have this day assented to the—

"The Cattle Trespass Ordinance Amendment Ordinance 1869;"

"University of Otago Ordinance Amendment Ordinance 1869;"

"Moeraki Lands Sale Ordinance 1869;"

"Appropriation Ordinance (No. 2) 1868-70."

The following Bill I reserve for the signification of the Governor’s pleasure thereon :

"Education Reserves Management and Leasing Ordinance (No. 2) 1869;"

"Dunedin Reserves Management Ordinance 1869."

Gentlemen,—I may say that, although diversity of opinion is the very life’s blood of free institutions, seeing that there is at the same time a certain unity of action which is highly essential in order to the proper development of the resources of a new country. To me, it is a matter of deepest regret that there does not appear to be this unity of action among us. I trust it may not be deemed out of place in me to express a hope that we may all become more alive to the responsibility of our respective positions, and to the fact that we have committed to us the power, if we will only exercise it, of adding very largely to the sum of human happiness.

There is at our disposal a territory replete with all the elements of wealth and prosperity, capable of supporting in comfort a large population, and the fault is mainly at our own door if the country does not progress more rapidly than it is doing. Gentlemen, let each and all of us strive to be influenced less by party spirit, and more by enlightened patriotism, and, depend upon it, this country will very soon present a different aspect.

There is only one other matter which requires special allusion from me, viz., the proposal to dissolve this Council. This proposal is based upon various grounds. First, "the present crisis in the affairs of the Province;" second, "the number of important changes proposed at the present time;" third, "with the view of enabling the various constituencies to express an opinion upon the alteration made in the land laws by the "Otago Hundreds Regulation Act;" and fourth, "the proposed Re-union with Southland." As regards the first reason which is urged, I am not aware that there is at present any peculiar crisis in the affairs of the Province which calls for a dissolution, excepting it be the impending dead lock, which is likely to result from not immediately placing land in the market for settlement. This crisis, however, it seems to me may be averted by much more simple and effective means than a dissolution of the Council.

As to the important changes said to be proposed at the present time, I am not aware of them. With respect to the third reason urged, viz., that of affording to the constituencies an opportunity of expressing an opinion upon the "Otago Hundreds Regulation Act," it appears to me that this matter has been already so far disposed of, inasmuch as that as respects the principle of the Bill, you have concurred with the representatives of the Province in the General Assembly; and I believe there is very little doubt that the proposed amendments will be assented to by the Assembly without any further manifestation of public opinion. Moreover, it appears to me that the constituencies will be in a much better position to express an opinion as to this measure, after having seen its practical working. With this view, it is very desirable that the Bill should be put into operation at once, so as to afford the constituencies ample time to judge of its merits before they are called upon to elect representatives to the Colonial Parliament. It should be borne in mind that it is not by a dissolution of the Provincial Council that the constituencies can give practical effect to their views upon this question, but by a dissolution of the General Assembly, which dissolution, by effluxion of time, takes place next year.

As regards the fourth reason, viz., the proposed re-union with Southland; I would remind you that this question has been before the country for the past two years and a half; it was one of the leading questions propounded by me as a candidate for the Superintendency, and one which met with almost universal acceptance; and I have no doubt that the resolution which you have passed on the subject, fully represents the mind of the country. Under all the circumstances of the case, therefore, I am unable to see that there is any good ground for a dissolution now, or any great practical end likely to be gained from it, the more especially, seeing that the Council has only another Session before it will be dissolved by effluxion of time.

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

J. MACANDREW,
Superintendent.

23rd December, 1869.

Land and Works Office,
Dunedin, 31st January, 1870.

IN conformity with the 29th section of the "Gold Fields Act 1866," it is hereby notified that it is intended to grant Leases for Gold Mining Purposes of Crown Lands to the undermentioned :—

William Jackson Barry, for Victoria Company, for 16a. 2r. 0p., on Aurora Reef, Wakefield District.

E. G. Barnes, for Aurora Company, for 16a. 2r. on Aurora Reef, Wakefield District.

William Curran, for Section 23, Block XVIII, Tuapeka East, containing 1a. 2r. 19p.

J. and W. Gardiner and James Lawton, for Moonlight Company, for Section 6, Glenorchy District, containing 5a. 0r. 0p.

Thomas Fraser, for Ida Valley Deep Lead Company, for 10a. 0r. 0p., at Black’s, No. 3, Ida Valley.

D. REID,
Secretary for Land and Works;

PUBLIC NOTICE

Given in conformity with Section 1 of Regulation IV of the Rules and Regulations of the Otago Gold Fields.

WHEREAS I have received sufficient proof that the portion of the Otago Gold Field, described in the Schedule hereto, has been fairly tested, and is either in whole or in part of an inferior character as regards the value of its gold deposits :—

Now, therefore, I hereby give notice that the same may be occupied by holders of miner’s rights in claims of the undermentioned size, viz. :—One (1) acre for