BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

Evening Star, Issue 3516, 30 May 1874, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH.

mi t. . Nelson, May 29. Hie Executive Council Act for the Province, for responsible government, has received the superintendent's assent. Mr Greenfield, the late Provincial Secretary, was sent for, but declmed the formation of, a new Executive, and on ms recommendation the Superintendent sent tor Mr 0 Connor, who takes till Monday to consider. r ~ ~ JSmER, May 29. In re the 'four men belonging to the Schieiialhon, brought up for disorderly conduct, the case against one was dismissed, and the rest got a month each. . ~ Blenheim, May 29. ihe Council was opened this afternoon. Mr Biglcs was elected Speaker. The Superintendent’s address was congratulatory. The Council adjourned till Tuesday. m ■ , Christchurch, May 29. ihe forty-first Session of the Provincial Council w£us opened to-day. The Superintendent, in his speech, stated that he had taken the earliest opportunity after the recent elections to summon members for the despatch of business. He alluded to the change of the end of the financial year from spring to autum as being more convenient, especially to members of the Colonial and Previncial Legislatures. He stated that he should ask for suv plies up to March 31, 1875 It was a privilege to meet the Council under circumstances of peculiar prosperity. Since the first meeting of the last Council, the population had increased from 45,000 to 59,000. The area under cultivation was nearly doubled; the valued exports reached a sum during the past year of more than a million sterling. The great increase in the value of exports, combmed with the influx of population and capital, had a most marked effect upon the land sales, which greatly exceeeded the amount anticipated; The receipts under this head were estimated for the year ending September 30, 1871, at L 34,875, and the actual receipts L 36,225. The estimated receipts for the year to the end of September, 1874, were L 262.800, but the amount actually obtained to the 27th inst a P e ™d of eight months, was L 453,308 'or L19l),508 in excess of the sum estimated for the the whole year. During the year, 117,761 acres have been surveyed. The large increase of traffice on the railway was another evidence of the prosperity of the Province. Ihe total receipts for the year ended last September were L 75.675, while the receipts for seven months, ended 30th April last, were L 61,717. As the traffic returns show a considerable excess of income over expenditure he promised a reduction in the rate of freight and fares, with a view of inducing traffic. The reduction is to take place in a few days. The hues of railway—Rakaia to Ashburton, Holieston to Malvern, Rangiora to East, would bo open for traffic shortly. The branch line to oouthbridge will be open in a few months. Jlivery effort is being used to promote a diffusion ot settlement. Large numbers of immigrants are arriving in the Province, and depots are being established at Waimato, Akaroa, Rangtora, Ashburton, and Oxford. Cottages are also being erected in the various districts of the -1 lovince. In view of the importance that imixngrauts forwarded to Canterbury be of a character suited to the requirements, he trusted that the Council would see fit to continue in England the services of the Agent, he having an accurate local knowledge. As a matter of primary importance, the Council will be asked for a liberal appropriation for Road Boards eseecially in districts where the lines of roacl ar« not already formed. The Engineer is shortly expected from England to report on the construction of harbor works at Timaru. He would recommend a liberal sum to be set aside to give effect to the proposals that may be made by the Engineer. He stated that he should shortly be prepared to call for tenders for irrigation works at Maivorn and Ashburton and the Rakaia districts. He should ask for a rote to pay a competent Engineer to report on the method of taking the water to ElleSmere, with * new to reclaiming a largo tract of land. His Honor coniratuffd the Council on the important results of the educational system. the number of chil! dieu attending school is steadily increasing a4fnst6 a ?6?fn- ere ' rere 8 ,’? 29 children, as a 0 ainst b,2bo for a corresponding period of fV> Q previous year. New buildings areEr e ?e c Sd w ‘ th ««thg tfc iaoSl «££

tional requirements of the Province. To maintain the system efficiently, and prevent the necessity of increas d taxation, he was of opinion that further land endowments were desirable. He also recommended for the consideration of the Council the question of extending a similar provision to hospitals and other institutions. He recommended a further grant to the public libraries, and expressed an opinion thatjit would be advisable to permanently endow the municipalities of the Province with certain fees and taxes raised within the boundaries. It is proposed to transmit a Bill to give effect to the proposition. The speech concluded by naming certain Bills to be introduced. Mr Montgomery, the President of the Executive, proposed,’and Mr Jollie, Provincial Secretary, seconded Mr Tancred as Speaker, who was elected unanimously. Mr Montgomery stated that the Treasurer’s Statement will be made on Wednesday. The Secretary for Public Works stated that it was the intention of the Government to push on the business, and make the session as short as possible. Queenstown, May 30. The Government policy is generally endorsed here. The land system is much approved, but' increased areas for individual settlement are required where blocks of mixed quality occur. The Shotover Kiver is favorable for working, and good results are being obtained. Wheat remains unsaleable at 2s fid per bushel. Incendiarism has ceased, owing, no doubt, to the vigorous means taken against it. . Wanganui, May 30. The Grand Colonial Steeplechase was won by Butcher Boy, a Nelson horse, Supplejack,being second, and Isleman third; the rest nowh-re The Maiden Plate by the Arrow, with Euchre second, and Yorkshsreman third. The meeting was well attended, and the racing good, Wellington, May 30. In the General Synod, yesterday, a Bill was introduced by jMr Acland, and read a second time, for defining the mode of procedure in altering or repealing now fundamental provisions of the Constitution. It was resolved, on the motion of the Dean of Christchurch, “That the Synod deplores the wide prevalence of intemperance among professing church members of all classes. That the evil is so great as to call for special agencies for its abatement, but that the mode of . doing so is best left in the hands of the Diocesan Synods, and the Synod earnestly request their attention to the matter.” A Select Committee is to be appointed to prepare a form, according to which all the statistical returns of the several dioceses shall be made up. The report of the Select Committee regarding the Bishopric of Dunedin was read in committee, and led to a long discussion, which was cut short by Mr Sewell moving that the chairman do the chair. _ Auckland, May 30, Ihe debate on the Financial Statement resulted in'the carrying of the second reading °f the Appropriation Bill by a large majority. The Governor’s ball was attended by 500 guests. The total stakes paid over in connection with the Autumn Race Meeting was L 938. Mr Watt takes L 444, Mr M‘Rae Ll4O, and Mr Young Ll3O.