PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Evening Star, Issue 3185, 6 May 1873, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Tuesday, May 6.

The thirty-first session of the Provincial Council of Otago was opened with the usual formalities to-day. # There was a large attendance of the public, both in the Speaker’s and Strangers’ Galleries, and when the Speaker took the chair the following members were present-Messrs Allan, Armstrong, Barr, Barton, Bastings, Bathgate, Bradshaw, J. C. Browp, G. I l ’. C. Biowne, Clark, Cutten, Daniel, Duncan, Fish, Green, Hallenstein, Henderson, Hickey, Hutcheson, Luraaden, M Alison, M'Arthur, M'Dermid, M'Glashan, M'Kenzie, M'Lear, Reid, Smith, Sumpter, Thomson. Tolmie, 'lprnbull, Dr Webster, and Wood.

His Honor was introduced, a»d dpliypfed the following speech

Mu Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provin. cial Council—

In opening the 31st Session of the Provincial Council, it may be well briefly to epitomise the leading features which indicate the progress of the Provinee since I last addressed you. The declared value of the imports, during the past financial year, has been LI, 884,998 ; while the import duty has amounted to L 262,000, or equal to about one-third of the Customs Revenue of the Colony. Unfortunately, however, of this sum none has found its way into the Provincial treasury. The gold exported during the year has been 169,212, as against 166,372 ounces during the previous year. The total value of Provincial produce exported, inclusive of gold, amounts to 1/2,279,663, as against L 1,190,000 for the year before. This'is equal to L7O per head for each statute adult in the Province, an amount which, I venture to say, is unequalled in any other part of the world. The revenue received from gold duty, miners’ rights, and business licenses on the goldfields hasbeenL39,79o 13s 2d, as against L 41.816 in the previous year. Although this shows a slight decrease of revenue for the year, it will be seen that the gold exported exhibits a small increase: the difference js to be attributed partly to the reduction of the gold cjufcy by 6d pef ounce. The total receipts from all sowreqs t.l/e Provincial, treasury during the year, has been ‘L3:|B,QQO as against L 289,000 during the previous year, Last year, as you are aware, we began with a bank overdraft amounting to L 40,497 : tills year we commence with a balance in our favor of L 16.698. The expenditure during the past year, including payment of line over-draft, has amounted to L 279,522 ; of this sum, after providing for education, police, jails, hospitals, lunatic asylum, harbors, interest on loans, and other permanent departmental charges, there have been expended on roads, bridges, and other public works L 82,874. The immigration from the United Kingdom for the year amounted to 1,525; while there have been born in the Province 3,000 souls. The number of deaths for the year was 720; the number of marriages for the same period was 492. During the year 12 additional schools have been established, making the total of public schools throughout the Province 127, with a teaching staff of 190. There have been sold yf rural land, distributed among 401 different puiglpvsert? j of town allotments there have been sold 761 aeres,’to 401 different purchasers ; of agricultural leasesjon goldfields there have been granted 136, covering an area of 10,389 acres. The foregoing statement, although somewhat dry, perhaps, will serve to indicate the extent of settlement and the eeneral progress of the Province since you last met. I am happy to say, generally, that at no period since the Commencement of the settlement haw it been more prosperous than now. : There is a life and a buoyancy throughout every department of industry which has never been exceeded, and at no time have commercial obligations been more regularly met. It is a striking feature in the history of the past year that the business of the Bankruptcy Court has | been, comparatively speaking, nil. It is in no; spirit of self-complacency that I call your atten- i tion to these facts. Under the circumstances,; however, it .ajipears to me that, whatever be ! our differences of opinion as to who are the J best men to administer public affairs, we may i fairly indulge in mutual congratulation and 1 thankfulness. 1

Referring to the Goldfields, you will heglad. •o learn that your resolutions respecting .the ace at Naseby are at-length heingcqnnuMW; vith. An expenditure of soine L 40,000 is being ncurred, which it is believed will amply recoup tself, and afford profitable employment toft ; arge number of people who must ptherwiet i»ve left the distnct. - r Gentlemen, —Whij.q ph 4t affosdfc, ne pleasure to call your attention to the tap that Otago has not experienced that oimmntwn •>f its gold production which has unfortunately befallen the other gold-producing Province* W New Zealand. The increase for the year, small diough it he, is the more satisfactory, seeing that a large number of miners have been induced to engage themselves on other works, and seeing that water for sluicing purposes during tiie past six months has been exceedingly scarce in many districts. We may fairly regard the increased yield of lour gold workings under the circumstances as an evidence of, the great vitality and permanence of this Industry. An increased tendency is manifested among capitalists and others to look upon mining ventures as a legitimate means of investment, and several companies have been started under very favorable auspices. I cannot overrate the importance of facilitating as much as possible mutual co-operation of the investing and the mining interests, in order to the development of the many thousands of acres of rich auriferous deposits Which are known to exist throughout the Province : deposits the development of which is beyond the reach of ordinary mining partnerships, and can only be advantageously attained by companies with large capital. With a view to the more complete development of the goldfields, and the mitigation of grievances to which the mining community are at present subjected, anew Goldfields Bill has been very carefully prepared, which, it is hoped, will become law next session of the General Assembly. I have to congratulate you on the completion of the Dunedin and Port Chalmers Railway, in a style which, as regards workmanship, will compare favorably with any other railway work in the Colony. As you are aware, the General Assembly last year authorised the purchase of the railway from the promoters, which purchase has recently been concluded, the line being now in the hands of the Province. It is estimated that the traffic.receipts will amply recoup the Province, and that they are likely to increase yearly in amount as the lines into the interior are extended, and the requirements of the traffic arc provided fpr by additional pier accommodation apd warehouses/ ■- r i I am happy to say that the offered bonus fpr the establishment of a paper factory has at length so far had the desired effect, and that a bond has been entered into which, in due time, will result in a paper mill on the banks of the Mataura, where it is understood that a suitable site has been secured. Some years ago a bonus was offered for the encouragement of sperm whaling, to which, however, there was no response. There is reason to believe that if the offer be renewed, there are parties in the Province now who arc prepared to entertain the proposal. LSOO, or even double the sum, would be well spent if it should have the effect of turning to account by ourselves the rich mine which surrounds our shores, and which is being so profitably worked by strangers. . There are several subjects of importance which it is proposed to solicit your attention during the present Session. First, perhaps, is the absolute necessity of providing school adequate accommodation throughout the Province. In many of the existing school buildings the children are so crowded that there is a choice of two evils - either to withdraw them from the school, or to educate their minds at the expense of their bodies. In some of the school-houses the accommodation is so limited, that it is physically impossible to crowd the children into them. From a statement furnished by the Inspector of Schools, which will be submitted to you, it will bo seen that at least Li 27,000 is required to provide adequate school accommodation; an amount which, in addition to the annual requirements in respect of teachers’ salaries, repairing buildings, &c,, involves a much larger drain upon the ordinary revenue of the Province thanks either called for or warranted. It is proposed that, say L 1,500 a year, out of the Lll,ooo which are now derived from rentals of property at the disposal of the Education Board, should be set aside for thirty years for the purpose of providing school accommodation, in which the future is as much interested as the present. Should you concur in this proposal, there will be no difficulty, I apprehend, in getting the necessary Act passed by the Colonial Legislature, and a sum or L 30,000 will be available for the objects in view. Upon the subject •of education generally, I have much pleasure in soliciting your attention to the very valuable and exhaustive report of Mr Hislop, the Inspector of Schools; a report which embodies many most important practical suggestions—suggestions which are being given effect to by the Education Board, in so far as it is empowered to do so. Perhaps, however, the most valuable suggestions qf all ape those which cannot be earned out without your goacnrpeqpe. I allude to the appointment of an additional Inspector of Schools, and the establishment of a Normal or Training School in which to educate competent teacheps. To my mind, it is manifest that, if we are to have value for tlm money wliich we are expending in education, it is absolutely necessary that there should be complete and thorough inspection of schools, and the means of turning out a sufficient number of teachers specially trained for the all-im portantwork of education. I hope that you will concur with me in making adequate provision for both these objects. I regret to find that’there seems to exist a good deal of . dissatisfaction with regard to the Dunedin Boys’ High School. A movement is being made to trimsfqf th'e of’the school from the Education ‘Board icj thb University Council. I fail to seei hpweyqr, that such a change will at aU send tq memj matters, as it is believed that the quality qf the teaching is quite as good now as it is likely to be then. What is required is an adequate number of scholars to attend the school, and I do .not think that any change of management will effect this.” The truth is, that the circumstances of the Province have entirely altered since the school was founded; and the establishment of the Otago University, together with that of the various Grammar Schools, which afford a comparatively high class education throughout the Province, have to some extent removed the necessity which existed for the High School at the time of its erection. Under all the circumstances of the case, it is evident that something must be done to place the school on a more satisfactory footing. , With this view a Commission has been appointed to inquire into the subject. Pending the report of the ComUjission, it may be well to defer taking any action in the matter. Gentlemen,—Another very important subject to which I desire to solicit your favorable attention is the completion of the Southern Trunk Railway, You are aware that contracts are now under way for tile construction of the line from Dunedin to Clutha, and from Invercargill to Mataura. Unless, however, and until the line is constructed between Clutha and Mataura, the railway will be comparatively useless as a main trunk line; and I feel assured that if the matter is left to the Colonial Government, it will be years before the missing link In the fibw is provided. It is therefore Siosed that the Province should at once prowith the construction of that portion of the railway, together with a branchlet of some eight or ten miles to Tapanui. There is nothing to prevent the work being finished in a couple of years, so as to enable an unbroken line right through to Invercargill to be opened for traffic. The estimated cost of the work, independent of the branch to Tapanui, and exclusive of rolling stock, is L 150,000, an amount which can be produced from sales of the land through which the line would be constructed. There are between Clutha and Mataura some 300,000 acres of Crown land, much of which is admirably adapted for settlement, and which only requires a railway to render it available. Proposals have been submitted for the construction of this line within two years of date of contract, payment to be made at the rate of L 30,000 a year for the first two years, and the balance within one year of the completion of the line. Should you concur in this mode of payment, there will be no difficulty in procuring the necessary funds by djsposing of not more than a sufficient quantity oi laudlil tlic district t° meet the first two payments as they become*duo, and reserving $0 remainder from sale until the line is completed. Run No. 11l alone, through which the railwaypasses, will, if reserved until the contract is completed and then sold in ordinary sized farms, go far to meet the last payment. I should be glad if we could see our way to the adoption of a similar process as respects the line from Dunedin to Moeraki. It is of the utmost importance—if the railway system is to be an immediate success —that the main trunk line should be at once completed from the one end of the Province to the other. Should you be of this opinion, and agree to the hypothecating of laud by way of security, there will (in the event of the Colonial Government not doing so) be little difficulty in proceeding with the Moeraki line without delay. We should thus secure an unbroken line of rail from Waitaki to the Bluff aud Lake Wakatipu, thereby enabling the growers of agricultural produce to compete in the markets of the world by means of speedy and cheap transit to tfw

twrtof a Urge proportion and rnainte’oanoe' of installed which •nay be directed tomftds work* in the interior ‘of the Province inmrtt It is intended this year very -x»sider»b!yteßincre*.sa the appropriation toward* the maintond to the Lakes, both by .way of Nasebyand portion of the? road extending frtjteClyde to Queenstown requUes to beyendered safe for car's riage-traffic. I beUev£ jKe bays no conception of Jhe hdmbSr of tiweßfcro _from Australia or the extent of traffic which will cross the island, so soon as a practicable road is discovered from Lake Wakatipu to Milford Sound- The estimated revenue for the current year will enable a larger amount of public works to be undertaken throughout the interior of the Province than has been the case for several years past. The Estimates have been carefufiy prepared, with a view to making the most of, and equitably distributing the means at our disposal As you are aware, Local Road Boards during the past year have been subsidised to the extent of L2 to LL Should the General Assembly continue its road board subsidy, the same rate will it is anticipated, be maintained during the current year also. In any case it is proposed to subsidise out of Provincial revenue to toe extent of pound for pound. It is to be regretted that the Road Board system has not been taken advantage of within the goldfields. It is proposed, however, to subsidise local contributions on goldfields to the same extent as District Hoad Board Rates from Provincial revenue.

The Colonial Legislature, at its last session, authorised a special loan of L 70,000 for certain specified public works in the Northern district of the Province, Of this sum L 24,000 is being expended on the Breakwater at Oamaru—a work which is now progressing favorably, and which promises to be a great success. A further sum of L 25,000 is to be expended on a Tramway - from the main line up the valley of the Waitaki, which has been surveyed to Awamoko. Plans and specifications are now ready, and tenders are being called for. The sum of L 13,000 is available for roads and bridges, upon which it is being expended. A tender has just been accepted for the.erection qf stone bripges across the Otepopo river and the Island stream. Hie remainder of the loan Is to he'devoted to harbor works at Kakanhi and- Moeraki with tegatd to which ! hope to submit to you definite proposals before toe session closes. WitJi a yieWrof. enabling. you to proceed without delay to the practical business of tbe country, the Estimates will be submitted at once, as well as all resolutions >nd Bills proposed to be initiated by .the' Government. Papers will be laid before you relative to’’the defence of the Pori of Otago against external aggression. There can be no doubt if the port could be effectually defended against such at an outlay of LIO,OOO to L 15,000, the expenditure would be amply justified. This is a. question which very closely affects every interest throughout the Province, when we reflect that there is frequently afloat at Port Chalmers property to the extent of half a million of money, which, in case of war, is absolutely at the mercy of any enemy that may choose to pounce upon it. An application has been made on behalf of the associated Friendly Societies, requesting that a suitable piece of ground may be granted to them for their annual and other gatherings. Considering the benevolent character of these societies, and the amount of distress relieved by them, which otherwise Vould have to be provided for by the State, I trust you will concur with me in giving effect to the application when it is formally submitted for your approval It will be seen from the correspondence with ■ the Horae Agency that a contract has been entered into on behalf of the Province for the resumption of Messrs P. Henderson and Co.’s line of emigrant ships from Glasgow to Otago direct; also that Mr Auld has been urged as to the expediency of conducting emigration by steamers direct to this Port. As the General Government has warmly approved of this suggestion, and has directed the Agent-General accordingly, I am not without hope that the proposal will be earned into effect Although it is purposed to continue the Immigration vote upon tbe current year’s Estimates, ip ease of contingencies, I do not anticipate that it will require to be operated upon, * inasmuch as the Agent-General has been instructed to defray the cost of emigration to this Province out of the Immigration Loan. You will, I am sure, be glad to hear that the Colonial and Provincial Agencies are now working harmoniously. Another important proposal with which I venture to hope for jour concurrence, is the removal from the present Lunatic Asylum of aU able-bodied patients who are pronounced incurable, of which now there are upwards of forty in the institution, to a suitable farm in the country, where their labor might be made available, not only for their own sustenance, but towards the support of the Asylum in Dunedin, and with advantage to their individual comfort The nearest available land in possession of the Government is the Police paddock at Tokomairiro, containing eighty-six acres, through -which the Southern Trunk Railway will pass; thus bringing the proposed site within two hours of Dunedin. Unless some such suggestion as this is adopted, it wiU be necessary still further to enlarge the Asylum buildings. A proposal will be submitted to you to throw open the Dunedin Hospital to the whole of the legaUy qualified medical practitioners in the City. Should the University Council establish a school of medicine and surgery, on the strength of which being done I agreed to the further endowment of 100,000 acres of land. It might be well to arrange that the Hospital should be connected with said school under the direction of the medical aud surgical professors, lam also disposed to think that the Lunatic Asylum should be under the direction of the Professor of Mental Science in the’ University. These ate important changes, which bommend totfye GqvirUra^it; lJut tyith respect to which it is' felt expedient that ho qctioh should be taken unjjil you shall have had an op, portunity of expressing an opinion. A proposal has been submitted to the Government by responsible persons who are preSared to reclaim the whole of the mud fiat at le head of Dunedin bay, covering an area at low water of some 230 acres; the contracting party undertaking to finish the work within a stipulated time at their own cost, the net proceeds of reclamation when sold to be divided equally with the Government. There can be no doubt the suggested reclamation would afford what is much needed iu Dunedin, viz., suitable sites for manufacturing and business purposes, making room for a large consuming population, which would be beneficial to the producing interest throughout the Province. As, however, the reclamation now indicated, if carried out to the extent proposed, might by diminishing the tidal scour be prejudicial to the harbor—a hypothesis, by the way, upon which there are differences of opinion—l should be disposed to err upon the safe side, and be contented with reclaiming to half way between high water mark, taking the material for reclamation from above low water mark. In this case the tidal volume would not be diminished, while, on sanitary groufids, the perpetual submersion of the mud fiat in salt water would be of incalculable benefit to the communityi Instead of conceding this operation to private parties, it appears to me that it should be undertaken by the Government. A report by th‘e’ Provincial Engineer w|U he submitted to you. from which it will be seen that the prc>j bable profit by the transaction would amount to at least L 20,000, an amount a portion or the whole of which might go towards the endowment of the Harbor Trust, and enable the pilot and harbor dues to be done away with. Referring to ths question of a Harbor Trust, I may say that application has been made to tbe Government to the effect that such Trust might at once be constituted by Ordinance, and the Harbor Department transferred thereto. I presume that a Harbor Trust, in order to be effective, must be paid, and must either be endowed or possess powers of raising revenue. So long as the Harbor Department has to be pit*. viied out of the ordinary revenue, I fail to see any advantage that would accrue from the Provincial Council divesting itself of the administration. If an amount such as has been indicated can be procured- from harbor reclamation—and there is no reason why it should not be so—then it appears to me that the constitution of a Harbor Trust, in which might be invested the amount in question, would be a ift the right direction ; otherwise sixcp a Trust would only involve additioffiil e*ptksS without any adequate ad vantage. I may say that the work of deepening the approaches to 9 Dunedin Wharf is being vigorously prosecuted, and that in the course of a month vessels drawing twelve feet can be berthed and swung at Rattray street pier. ■ . “ Correspondence will be submitted to yon upon the vexed question of diversion of natural watercourses for gold mining purposes. This, is a subject upon which the Government will be glad to receive the benefit of your deliberations, ,—involving, as it does, grave questions of -coni';, peusatiou and the lights of prc^eity. Your resolutions last Sesaonombodyirignew regulations for the disposal of the Waste Lands of the Crown have, with sundry modifications by the Colonial Legislature, become law. .One of the most important of these modifications has been the practical remora! of the

iration of Act frobi the control of the Executive Government, nftd the vesfanetheijor Inanirreibnsibleßoardi I regart thiaiw 4ht weak noimtiß the Act, one which i# very bkeh serionSktoprejudicethe phUic interest. Al though n might, no doubt, be amended m as fa» as the representative branch of the legislature is concerned, there is little or no hope of such amendment being at present agreed to by the Legislative Council. Tour apprdvhl will be solicited in order to the declaration of the following blocks of land as open for selection on deferred payments t 2.500 acres near Tapanui 2.500 „ on the Waikftka 2.500 „ near Switzers 2.500 „ near Longford 2.500 „ near Ettrick 2.500 „ near Roxburgh 2.500 acres near Hawea ** 2,500 „ on Spott’s Creek 2.500 „ at Ida Valley 2.500 „ at Macraes 5,000 „ at TuapekaJ

30,000 Being in all 30,000 acres, the maximum area allowed by law to be dealt with in this shape dtiring the present year. I _ regret that this limitation precludes the setting aside of areas on similar terms in other districts, those now indicated being the best land and the most urgently required. Next year, however, it is hoped that the Idealities which we are now compelled to exclude will participate in the advantage of the deferred payment system. I regret to say that the extensive depasturing district of Wakatipu has not been so satisfactorily administered as could be desired ; the revenue derived from it compares somewhat unfavorably with that of the Tuapeka depasturing district. With a view to promoting the interest of all concerned, a local Commission was lately appointed to inquire and report on the whole subject. The report of the Commission will be laid before you, and the Executive, prior to taking further action in the matter, will be glad to have your views thereupon. It will be a question of consideration m tho case of land of superior quality- the value of which will be greatly enhanced as the country becomes opened up by the extension of tailways-+-how far it may not be expedient to increase the price, aa provided by the Waste Lands Act. A* ytm are aware, in the neighboring Province of Canterbury,; in which agricultural settlement Is being greatly extended, the price has never been under L2 an acre. t I have only to observe, in conclusion, that since we last met, circumstances with which you are already acquainted, and to which it is not necessary further to allude, have led to a change of my responsible advisers. The gentlemen who how occupy that position were induced to accept office very reluctantly, in the exercise of a public duty, and at my urgent solicitation. I feel assured that they possess the confidence of tlie country, and I trust also of this Council. Be this as it may, I will venture to say that, apart from all consideration of party, and without disparagement to previous Administrations, never, since the establishment of the present system of responsible Government, have the affaire of the Province been more prosperous or more efficiently conducted than ** (gentlemen,—I now declare this Council open for the despatch of business. On the motion, of the Provincial Secretary (Mr Tolmie), the Address was held as read, and ordered to bo printed, MESSAGES. The Speaker read bis Honor’s Message No. 1, transmitting to the Council a copy of a letter from the Secretary of v tato for the Colonics, conveying her Majesty’s thanks for their kind expression of sympathy and conemulations for the restoration to health of is Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. The Speaker read Message No. 2, signifying that it was proposed to appoint Mr ixigie as assessor under section 142 of the Lind Act. SUSPENSION OF THE STANDING ORDERS. On the motion of Mr Bastings, tho Standing Orders were suspended for the appointment of a House Committee. NEW BILLS. Several new Bills were introduced, and read a first time. Shortly after one o’clock p.m., tho Council adjourned till to-morrow at two o’clock. NOTICES OF MOTION. Mr Fish, on Monday next: “ That in fu . ture all Government advertisements for the sale of lands and for tenders for public works be advertised in the public papers as well as the Government Gazette.” Next sitting day ; An Address in Reply to his Honor the Superintendent’s Address. On Thursday: “In the opinion of this Council, it is desirable that the toll-bar.-known os Hillside, Anderson’s Bay, Wakari and Water of Leith be removed from their present position to a distance of not less than three miles from the boundary of the City. That the Government bs requested to withdraw the advertisement calling for tenders for the lease of these tolls, io order to give effect to this resolution.” Mr Thomson will ask to-morrow : “ Why the Hon; John Bathgate, who, as Provincial Solicitor, is a member of the Executive Council, has not t&k'eu his seat on the Executive benches I 'On 7th May the following be a Committee of ReferenceMesrs Clark, Lumsden, M'Lean, Sumpter, Reid, Hallenstein, and the mover. * M ‘Glasha?, on 'j’hursday : " That it ip the opinion pf this Conpcil to give a just and profitable effect to the administration of the Land Laws of this Province, and with the view of farthering permanent settlement; that no land offered for sale shall be offered to the public without sufficient notice that such land is so open; that at least two months should elapse from the date of the Gazette notice. Further, that it be an instruction to the Government that all lands opened lor sale be advertised in the newspapers of the Province—at all events twice a week in the two daily papers in Dunedin, also in the two Invercargill papers and in the local papers adjacent to the district in which such land '.s situated. On Friday ; “ That in the opinion of this Council it is desirable thatotoll-bars throughout tho Province be altogether abolished. That should the motion be affirmed, but in the opinion of this Council revenue from some other should be raised in lieu of that derived from tolls. That a select committee be appointed to consider the question in what form and from what source provision should or can be made. The report to be brought up by Monday next, and the committee to consist of the Speaker, with his consent, and Messrs Bathgate, lish, Reid, and Smith.” On Friday: “ That m view of any organic change in the constitutional qf New salaiid, ’this Council are of opinion that the Sectoral laws, the 'provisions of which regulate the constitution of the House of Representatives in the General Assembly, should be extended to the Upper House of Legislature, SO that this body maybe assimilated, and with certain modifications as to franchise, become a representative branch of the Legislature, amenable to the electors in like manner, as the House of Representatives. Further, that the Council are of opinion that the anomalous position of a nominee body forming part of the Legislature of New Zealand is at variance with the true principles winch should regulate a free and constitutiohal governing body, and fostering an antagonism between the two branches of the Legislature detrimental to 'the best interests of our adopted country. That a memorial embodying the above resolutions be forwarded to the Speaker of both Hopes of Parliament ; that to the Upper House embodying the desire that the reform so* ’tirgentfy required emanate from that

body.” Tlie Secretary for Public Works : "That his Honor the Superintendent be recommended to declare by proclamation that any or all of the parts of the Highway Boards Empowering Act, 1871, numbered 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, shall extend and Apply to any Highway district constituted, or to hj» constituted, under the Otago Hoads Oriji nance.” Mr M'Lkan, on Thursday next: “ In consequence of the Government of Canterbury levying a heavy tax upon sheep passing from Otago to that Province, for no other purpose than that of revenue, the Sheep Ordinances, 1867*68, now in force in this Province; should he'M&ewHd w « to impose % tax upon

sheep passing from Canterbury to this province, and further to provide for a system of tbspectioh that will give proper protection to L ,he flocks in this Province from those of 'ahterburyi known to be infected with cab, and that the Government be requested to bring in such amended Bill this session.”