which will be greatly enhanced as the country becomes opened up by the extension of railways—how far it may not be expedient to increase the price, as provided by the Waste Lands Act. As you are aware, in the neighboring Province of Canterbury, in which agricultural settlement is being greatly extended, the price has never been under £2 an acre.

I have only to observe, in conclusion, that since we last met, circumstances with which you are already acquainted, and to which it is not necessary further to allude, have led to a change of my Responsible Advisers. The gentlemen who now occupy that position were induced to accept office very reluctantly, in the exercise of a public duty, and at my urgent solicitation. I feel assured that they possess the confidence of the country, and I trust also of this Council. Be this as it may, I will venture to say that, apart from all consideration of party, and without disparagement to previous Administrations, never, since the establishment of the present system of Responsible Government, have the affairs of the Province been more prosperous or more efficiently conducted than at present.

Gentlemen,—I now declare this Council open for the despatch of business.

J. MACANDREW,
Superintendent.

PROPOSED REPLY TO THE SUPERINTENDENT’S ADDRESS.

We join with your Honor in expressing satisfaction at the steady advancement which has characterised the progress of the Province during the past year. We have to assure you that the many important proposals suggested by you will have our earnest consideration.

As respects the Executive changes which have taken place during the recess, no doubt much may be said. We are of opinion, however, that it will serve no practical purpose to discuss the subject now, and shall be prepared to deal with the policy of the Government upon the question at present.

Let it suffice to say that the Superintendent deprecates nothing more than being at variance with the Provincial Council. He would willingly sacrifice much in order to work together harmoniously; at the same time, he cannot ignore the fact that he has responsibilities equally with the Provincial Council, and he is fortified in the conviction that his action in the matter in question has vindicated an important principle, has conduced to the public good, and has met with the approval of the people of Otago, to whom he is primarily responsible.

Referring to his opening Address, the Superintendent had hoped that the Provincial Council would have reciprocated at least some of the opinions expressed by him with regard to various matters bearing upon the advancement of the Province; instead of which, however, the Council appears altogether to have ignored the matters referred to. As it is, the Superintendent cannot but feel that there is between the majority of the Council and himself an absence of that mutual desire for progress, and of that community of sentiment which are so essential to the promotion of the public weal.

That this Council is of opinion, that the appointment of the gentlemen at present occupying the Government benches, and their retention of office are in direct opposition to the system of responsible government sanctioned by the Council: And this Council hereby records its protest against any Government being appointed to or holding office under such circumstances.

Under all the circumstances of the case, therefore, the Superintendent is of opinion that it would be better to afford the people an opportunity of electing a Superintendent and Provincial Council which may work together harmoniously, with which view he respectfully solicits the concurrence of the Provincial Council in an application to His Excellency the Governor for an immediate dissolution.

J. MACANDREW,
Superintendent.

Dunedin, 12th May, 1873.

MESSAGE NO. 3.

Referring to the Amendment to the proposed Reply to his opening Address to the Provincial Council, the Superintendent desires to express his regret that a majority of the Council has seen fit to censure the action which, in the exercise of a public duty and having regard to the public interests, he felt constrained to take in connection with the late Executive changes—action which the Superintendent has yet to learn was unconstitutional, and which he should feel bound to adopt again under similar circumstances.

The fact that the leader of the late Executive by accepting office in the Colonial Ministry assumed a position both incompatible with that of head of the Provincial Executive, and with his responsibilities to the Provincial Council, amply warranted the Superintendent’s action in the matter—action which was due alike to the dignity of the Provincial Council itself, and to the Superintendent’s own position.

The Constitutional position of the members of Executive is not—as some would have it—to be a check upon and to thwart the Superintendent, but to render him advice and assistance on all questions of policy, and in promoting the public interests—advice and assistance which in the nature of things could not be rendered by a Minister of the Crown at Wellington. In order to the successful working of the Constitution of which the Superintendent and the Provincial Council are each an integral part, it is of the utmost importance that more correct notions should prevail as to their position in relation to each other, so that neither may arrogate to themselves the functions of the other.

Probably it would serve no good purpose to dilate upon the question at present. Let it suffice to say that the Superintendent deprecates nothing more than being at variance with the Provincial Council. He would willingly sacrifice much in order to work together harmoniously; at the same time, he cannot ignore the fact that he has responsibilities equally with the Provincial Council, and he is fortified in the conviction that his action in the matter in question has vindicated an important principle, has conduced to the public good, and has met with the approval of the people of Otago, to whom he is primarily responsible.

Referring to his opening Address, the Superintendent had hoped that the Provincial Council would have reciprocated at least some of the opinions expressed by him with regard to various matters bearing upon the advancement of the Province—instead of which, however, the Council appears altogether to have ignored the matters referred to. As it is, the Superintendent cannot but feel that there is between the majority of the Council and himself an absence of that mutual desire for progress, and of that community of sentiment which are so essential to the promotion of the public weal.

Under all the circumstances of the case, therefore, the Superintendent is of opinion that it would be better to afford the people an opportunity of electing a Superintendent and Provincial Council which may work together harmoniously, with which view he respectfully solicits the concurrence of the Provincial Council in an application to His Excellency the Governor for an immediate dissolution.

J. MACANDREW, Superintendent.

Dunedin, 12th May, 1873.

MESSAGE NO. 5.

Referring to his Message No. 3, in which the Superintendent for the reasons therein stated, solicited the concurrence of the Provincial Council in an application to His Excellency the Governor for an immediate dissolution, and to which there has been no reply—the Superintendent again desires to reiterate this request, and to express a hope that in the public interest, the Council may see its way to concur in the proposed application.

The fact that the Provincial Council has now been ten days in session at a cost of some £500 to £600, without any practical result, speaks for itself, and furnishes an additional reason for the adoption of the course now indicated.

In the event of the proposed dissolution being granted by His Excellency, it is hoped that a new Superintendent and Provincial Council may be elected, say within two months from this date, till when there will be little difficulty in providing for the public service under authority of law. At the same time, in order to guard against any possible inconvenience, the Superintendent would venture to suggest the expe