NEW ZEALAND

GOVERNMENT GAZETTE,

(PROVINCE OF WELLINGTON.)

Published by Authority.

All Public Notifications which may appear in this Gazette, with any Official Signature thereunto annexed, are to be considered as Official Communications made to those persons to whom they relate, and are to be obeyed accordingly.

A. FOLLETT HALCOMBE,

Provincial Secretary.

VOL. XII. THURSDAY, JULY 13, 1865. No. 24.

SPEECH OF HIS HONOR THE SUPERINTENDENT ON OPENING

THE FIRST SESSION OF THE FOURTH PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council,

In proroguing the late Council I ventured to congratulate them upon being in the proud position of being able to hand over the Province to their successors with all the great objects for which they had long striven either already achieved or in process of accomplishment, with its finances in a sound and prosperous condition, and with a bright future before it.

Short as has been the period that has since elapsed, events have occurred which entitle me in opening this, the first session of the fourth Provincial Council, to tender to you somewhat similar congratulations.

The warm tribute paid by the Council last year to the Wanganui natives has been most amply justified; for not only have they ever since the battle of Nukumaru most carefully guarded the river, but finding that the rebels were preparing for another aggressive movement, they at once attacked and defeated them, stormed several of their pas, and captured a considerable number of prisoners, and ultimately followed up their victory by taking possession of Pipiriki, which may be considered as the key of the river. The victory of Ahuahu was, however, dearly purchased at the sacrifice of Hoani Wiremu, one of the most civilised and intelligent chiefs in these Islands—a long tried and faithful friend of the settlers, and perhaps the most steadfast supporter the Government has possessed.

By the subsequent submission of Pehi and his people, Kingism and rebellion may be considered as virtually extirpated in the Wanganui River. And there is little doubt that had our gallant and trusty allies been left perfectly free and unhampered in their action, that the Weraroa pa would long before this have fallen, and the rebel tribes between Wanganui and Taranaki either reduced to submission or forced to take refuge in the fastnesses of the interior.

I am glad to add that in spite of the spread of the Hau Hau fanaticism we have abundant proof of the loyalty of the leading chiefs in other districts, and that there is not the slightest reason to apprehend any attempt on the part of the natives to disturb the peace.

The course thus steadily pursued by the natives confirms the wisdom of the policy hitherto adopted in this Province—the policy of trusting and arming the friendly natives, of confiding to them in a great measure the duty of preserving the peace and of protecting our outlying districts; it also goes far to prove that as far as this Province is concerned there will be no great risk in gradually removing the Imperial forces from the Colony.

In accordance with the resolution of the Council, I succeeded, during my recent visit to Australia, in purchasing a not inappropriate monument for the brave men who fell at Moutoa, which it is proposed to erect in some conspicuous part of the town of Wanganui, and which, I feel assured, will be deeply gratifying to the Wanganui natives.

Whatever doubts have hitherto existed with respect to the establishment of steam communication between this Colony and Europe via Panama, have now happily been removed, thanks to the prompt and energetic action of the present Ministers, in almost immediately after the closing of the last session of the General Assembly.