The Sun.
London, England, 1860-02-07 00:00:00

NOVA SCOTIA.

[The following has been received at Mr..Reuter's
office

HALIFAX, N.S., JAN. 26•
LEGISLATIVE COUNCIL CHAMBER, Jan. 26.—At
half-past two o'clock p.m. his Excellency the Right
Hon. the Earl of Mulgrave, Lieutenant-Governor,
came in State to the Council Chamber, and being
seated, the Gentleman Usher of the Black Rod
received his excellency's command to let the House
of Assembly know " It is his excellency's will and
pleasure they attend him immediately in this house,"
who being come, his excellency was pleased to
direct that the house return to their chamber and
choose a Speaker. The representatives retired
accordingly, and, after brief delay, re-entered the
Council Chamber, and presented Mr. Stewart
Campbell as the Speaker pro tem. His excellency
approved of the choice, and opened the session with
a speech to both houses as follows :
" Mr. President and Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative
Council, Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of As-

sembly,—
" In meeting this Parliament for the first time, it gives
me much pleasure to be able to congratulate you upon the
prosperous condition of the province.
" You will be gratified to learn that, notwithstanding the
diminution of the royalty on coal, and although the distil-
leries have not been in operation during the last nine months,
the revenue has exceeded that,, of any former year, fully
realising the estimates submitted to the Legislature.
It is a matter of congratulation that, while under exist

ing arrangements, the operations of the General Mining
Association have considerably increased, now and valuable
discoveries have been made in our mineral resources which
are stimulating provincial enterprise, attracting foreign
capital, and bid fair at no distant day to introduce vigorous
and healthy competition, by which trade will be largely
extended and the revenue increased.
" A commissioner was appointed under the act relating
to the management of the Indian Reserves, and some pro-
gress has been made in their adjustment, the report of whioh
will be laid before you.
" Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of tke House of Assembly—
" The public accounts and estimates for the current year
year will be submitted for your consideration.
" Mr. President and Hon. Gentlemen of the Legislative
Council ; Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the House of
Assembly,—
" The entire absence of any organised local force for the
defence of the province has induced me during the recess to
authorise the formation of volunteer companies throughout
the country, and I am happy to inform you that my endea-
vours have been cordially responded to, not only by the
inhabitants of this city, but in many parts of the province.
Several companies have already been organised, and others
are in the course of formation. 3,000 stand of Enfield
rifles, of the best description, have been placed at my dis-
posal by the Home Government for the purposse of arming
these volunteers ; and I trust that the same feeling which
has been so generally evinced in mother country, and also
in some of the colonies of her Majesty's empire, will induce
you liberally to support the movement, so as to enable me
to render this force effective.
"I have directed that the correspondence on this subject
should be laid before you, and some modification of the
militia laws will be submitted for your consideration.
"The railways to Truro and Windsor having been
finished, the expense of operating and upholding these lines
has been placed at the lowest point consistent with the
safety and efficiency of the road, and, as far as was prac-
ticable with our present legislation.
"By consolidating the railway and public works doper'

ments, further economy may be effected, and your attention
will shortly be called to that subject.
" The large amount annually required to meet the pay
ment of interest on the railway debt, must for some time
severely tax your resources, and imperatively demands the
most stringent economy in order to preserve intact the
public credit.
"A' proposition to transfer to the executive the initiation
of money votes will be submitted for your deliberation, that
system 1,..:.Gne been found indispensable in England, and
already advantageously adoptea iu New .Druns.tek and
other colonies.
" Your attention will be called to the propriety of ex-
tending the principle of intercolonial free trade to manu-
factured articles, in addition to those products now inter-
changed without duty between the British North American
colonies.
"A careful investigation has been had into the condition
and working of the savings bank, the result of which will
be laid before you, and ybur attention will be invited to
some modification of the existing system.
" The conflicting clauses of the Decmial Currency Act of
last session demand your early consideration. It is also
desirable that some amendmbnts should be made in the
enactments relating to lunatics, by which the Hospital for
the Insane, an institution already so extensively useful,
may be rendered still more widely beneficial.
" I fervently trust that your deliberations may contri-
bute to the peace, prosperity, and advancement of this
thriving colony, so deeply indebted to Almighty God for
the numerous blessings it now enjoys."