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these explanations, lest it might be
thought that I had lightly abandoned the
Government of a province, over which I
had reason to believe I was presiding to
the satisfaction of its inhabitants. At
any rate the people of this province will
not readily forget the words used by the
head of the Government which I joined,
in the manner which I have narrated,
when on the 18th of September he said—
“This Government was formed upon the
common understanding between its members that it would maintain the unity of
the colony, with the seat of Government
at Wellington.” And it will be a satis-
faction to learn that on Friday last the
mover of a resolution, which has had the
effect of causing the resignation of my
colleagues and myself, capped the Hon.
Mr. Stafford, and expressed himself to the
effect, that so long as the members of the
province of Wellington conducted them-
selves properly the Seat of Government
would not be in danger, and that in fact,
as a member for the city of Auckland he
could not approve of its removal across
Cook’s Straits, lest the cable should break,
and communication between the Seat of
Government and the North Island be
interrupted; and further that insular
separation was not to be thought of under
any circumstances. With such assurances
as these, coming from the leaders of the
opposite parties in Parliament, and after
making due allowance for the mutability
of human affairs and opinions, I think,
the ultimate conclusion thus arrived at
from opposite points of view, on the
important subjects of the unity of the
colony and the Seat of Government, may
be contemplated by us with equanimity
if not complacency. The Council will
most probably recognise that this position
of affairs affords the most satisfactory
proof of the sound discretion exercised by
all the Members of Parliament for this
province (I make no exceptions), all
working in their own several ways towards
one common patriotic object.

The Council is already, I have no doubt,
informed that the Government which I
joined has resigned, and so far the cir-
cumstances are different from those which
existed at the time when it was decided
that I should summon it for the purpose
of asking for a dissolution. But I still
recommend it to join with me in asking
his Excellency the Governor for a dis-
solution.

It is very desirable that the period of
the year, namely, June, in which the
Provincial Council expires by effluxion of
time should be changed to the month of
November or December, for the following
reason:—

The financial year expires on the 31st
March. The last session of the Council
takes place about a month before the dis-
solution, such Council therefore really
appropriate the year’s revenue which
properly belongs to the new Council to
appropriate. Whereas, if the period of
dissolution were altered to the end of the
year, the new Government would have
two or three months before the expiration
of the financial year to prepare for the
meeting of the Council, and the new
Council would have the appropriation of
the year’s revenue, instead of finding the
same appropriated by the expiring
Council.

I now declare the Council to be opened
for the transaction of business.

WILLIAM FITZHERBERT,
Superintendent.

Superintendent’s Office,
Wellington, October 9, 1872.

Speech of His Honor the Superintendent
on Proroguing the Twenty-third Session
of the Provincial Council.

Mr. SPEAKER AND GENTLEMEN OF THE
PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

I beg to thank you for the readiness
with which you have given your atten-
dance at an unusual and inconvenient
season of the year.

I desire further to tender you my
thanks for the mark of confidence which
you have shown by expressing so general
a concurrence in the recommendations
which I had the honor to submit to you
on opening this session for a dissolution.

I hope that the affairs of this province
will continue to be conducted in a spirit
of cordial co-operation by its constituted
authorities. So long as I continue to
preside over the administration of its
affairs, it will be my endeavor to promote
by every means in my power such a spirit
of union and co-operation.

I now declare this Council to be prorogued.

WILLIAM FITZHERBERT,
Superintendent.

Superintendent’s Office,
Wellington, October 10, 1872.

Sheep Inspector’s Report.

Provincial Secretary’s Office,
Wellington, 10th Oct., 1872.

NOTICE

has been received at this Office
from the Inspector of Sheep for the
East Coast District, that he has cancelled
the clean certificates of the following
flock owners:—

Knight, Brothers, “Tirumaea,” can-
celled 14th September, 1872.
Robert Langdon, “Broomsgrove,” can-
celled 16th September, 1872.

HENRY BUNNY,
Provincial Secretary.