✨ Provincial Government Address
SOUTHLAND PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENT GAZETTE.
Published by Authority.
Vol. I.] THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 5, 1861. [No. 4.]
ADDRESS
Of THE SUPERINTENDENT ON OPENING
THE FIRST SESSION OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF SOUTHLAND.
Gentlemen of the Provincial Council—
On this occasion of our first assembling together to undertake the performance of those duties which devolve on the representatives of the settlers in this Province, I have great satisfaction in congratulating you on our having strength obtained those privileges of self-government—so valued by all of British race—for which the settlers in this district have struggled for years; these we have attained, and now the task lies before us of showing that we deserve to enjoy them. The proceedings of this the first Provincial Council of Southland will stamp the character of the Province. If the measures of this Council, and the manner in which they are subsequently administered, are characterised by intelligence, integrity, and prudence, our Province will prosper, and we shall gain the confidence and respect of our fellow-Colonists elsewhere. These attributes are the main requisites; for, with wisdom in its Councils, a Province combining such a variety of natural advantages as Southland does in an eminent degree, must have a brilliant future.
In the infancy of our provincial institutions, before the machinery of our Government is fairly organised, it is obvious that much legislation cannot be usefully attempted, and it is not my intention in this Session to bring forward any measures other than those which are of immediate importance.
In the course of the recess which will follow this short Session, I shall have an opportunity, in concert with my advisers, of examining the Provincial laws now in operation in this Province, of consolidating or amending such of them as may be more or less suitable, and drawing up Bills embodying those alterations, and such further laws as may appear to be required; so that in the next Session of this Council the Provincial Government shall be in a position to lay before you drafts of all the measures that appear to be necessary for the time being to meet the requirements of the Province.
The Bills which shall in this Session be laid before you for consideration, are...
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Southland Provincial Gazette 1861, No 4
✨ LLM interpretation of page content
🏘️ Superintendent's Address to the Provincial Council
🏘️ Provincial & Local GovernmentSouthland, Provincial Council, Self-government, Legislative Session