have had an opportunity of electing those in whom they place confidence, and the ministry which shall be formed shall have been enabled to make due preparation for meeting the Legislature.

Entertaining these views, it is my intention to lay before you only two measures for your consideration; the one, of the nature indicated by the Secretary of State's despatch, with a view to the complete establishment of responsible government; and the other, for the appropriation of the revenue for so long as may be deemed necessary to afford a responsible ministry time to lay their financial policy before the Assembly.

I am not aware that there is any other business so urgent as to demand immediate attention, or indeed that would not be better left to be disposed of after the contemplated changes in the Government shall have taken place.

I trust, Gentlemen of the Assembly, I need hardly assure you that, during the short time it yet remains for me to administer the Government of this Colony, I shall feel it a pleasure, as well as my duty, to afford my humble but earnest cooperation in all measures calculated to promote the welfare and happiness of both races of Her Majesty's subjects.

REPORT OF THE ACTING GOVERNOR UPON THE RECEPTION OF HIS ADDRESS BY THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY1

August 11, 1855

I HAVE the honor to transmit herewith the accompanying copies of the replies received from the Legislative 1 Commons Papers, 1860, vol. 46, No. 2719, p. 138.

Council and House of Representatives to my opening address.

2. As the tenor of these replies is in unison with the views I proposed, and as they convey concurrence with the steps taken for the preservation of peace at New Plymouth, I trust they may prove more than ordinarily acceptable to your Lordship, and bear me out with the authorities at home in the arrangements I have made under such very peculiar and trying circumstances.'

REPLY OF THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL TO THE ADDRESS 2

August 11, 1855

May it please your Excellency,

We, the Legislative Council of New Zealand, in reply to the speech with which your Excellency has opened the third session of the General Assembly, beg respectfully to assure you of our continued desire to afford your Excellency every cooperation and support so long as your Excellency may be called upon to administer the Government of New Zealand.

As regards the principle of responsible government, which your Excellency informs us will shortly come into operation, we feel grateful that Her Majesty has been graciously pleased to accede to the prayer of the Legislature, and has sanctioned the introduction of that element in all its integrity into the Government of the Colony.

1 The Acting Governor had attempted to establish ministerial government in 1854 to meet the demands of the colonists but was unsuccessful beca of inadequate powers; cf., Commons Papers, 1854-55, vol. 38, No. 160, pp. 1-38, 41-42.

2 Commons Papers, 1860, vol. 46, No. 2719, p. 138. Enclosure in the Report of August 11.

We beg to assure your Excellency that we shall be prepared to afford our aid towards its complete and satisfactory establishment.

In conclusion, your Excellency may be assured that we shall be prepared, as heretofore, to afford our careful attention to any measures that may be submitted for our consideration in the course of the session.

REPLY OF THE HOUSE OF REPRE-
SENTATIVES1

August 11, 1855

WE, the Commons of New Zealand, assembled in their House of Representatives, have received with sentiments of high respect the speech addressed to us by your Excellency at the opening of the present session.

We desire to convey to your Excellency our acknowledgements for the efforts made by you towards obtaining from the Imperial authority the establishment of responsible government for this Colony.

1 Ibid. Enclosure in the Report of August 11.

REPORT OF THE GOVERNOR UPON THE DISSOLUTION OF THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY1

September 18, 1855

THE business of the third session of the General Assembly having come to a close, I now do myself the honor of transmitting for your Lordship's information a copy of the address I delivered to that body, on Saturday the 15th instant.

2. Having been advised by my Executive Council that a dissolution of the House of Representatives was very desirable, if not imperative, in consequence of the number (fifteen) of seats vacated, I acted on that advice, and dissolved it by proclamation as enclosed.

ADDRESS OF THE GOVERNOR TO THE LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL AND HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 2

September 15, 1855

I CONSIDER myself fortunate in having arrived in New Zealand at a time when the General Assembly is in session, as it affords me an opportunity of stating the views I entertain on certain subjects.

The communication, which I took the earliest opportunity of laying before the two Houses, will have satisfied

1 Commons Papers, 1860, vol. 46, No. 2719, p. 149. 2 Ibid. Enclosure in the Report of September 18.

you that it is the desire of Her Majesty's Government that this Colony shall enjoy the fullest measure of selfgovernment which is consistent with its allegiance to the British Crown. Nor are these sentiments confined to any particular party in the Imperial Parliament, but are shared in by those who differ on most other subjects.

Animated by the same feeling, I am prepared to carry out in its integrity the principle of ministerial responsibility, being convinced that any other arrangement would be ineffective to preserve that harmony between the legislative and the executive branches of the Government which is so essential to the successful conduct of public affairs.

Entertaining these views, it will be my object to secure, as early as possible, the introduction of this form of Government, which has been so earnestly solicited by the popularly constituted Legislature of this Colony. Indeed, the public interest demands that the present state of transition should be allowed to continue no longer than circumstances peremptorily require.

As soon as the necessary arrangements have been made, I shall be prepared to give my confidence to those gentlemen who possess that of the Legislature, and whenever changes may become necessary, I shall permit neither private interests nor private friendships to influence my public conduct.

GENTLEMEN of the House of Representatives.

I HAVE much pleasure in thanking you for the liberal provision you have made for the public services, and you may rest assured that the supplies voted shall be expended with the utmost economy consistent with efficiency.