BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

Evening Star, Issue 3658, 12 November 1874, Page 2

BY ELECTRIC TELEGRAPH

DINNER TO SIR DONALD hi‘LEAN. rp , Napier, November 11. 11m uinner to Sir Donald M‘Lean, at the Criterion Hotel, yesterday evening, was a great success. J he Superintendent and eighty persons were present, including many influential settlors and town residents. Mr J. Rhodes. M.P.C. was chairman. The Governor’s health was drumc. and Sir Donald took an opportunity of c.vprof.sing his regret at his i xcelleucy’s appioacuiiig departure, and bore his testimony to tho zeal and ability with which Sir James r ergusson had discharged his important duties. In returning thanks for his health, Sir Donald said, in allusion to the chairman’s mention of the honor conferred upon him by her Majesty .that he was most proud of it, and all the more as it had been given without any solicitations on his part or recommendation from the Colony, and as it happened while he was one of the re* ps eseiitatives of the Province. He them spoke of the public works, and of the necessity for a colonising policy at tho time when the party with which he was appointed took office. Ho dwelt on the importance of opening up the country by roads and railways. Of the former there were now open and in progress over 1,700 miles. Of railway there were 103 miles open, and altogether trunk and branch lines would be oyer 1,000 miles. He instanced the remuneratiye qualities of the Australasian railways, which were constructed at an expense far above what ours cost, and stated that the traffic returns of the New Zealand railways were already above their working expenses, and gave ample hopes for the future. He mentioned the initiation of railways in Canterbury by Mr Rtoorhouse, and gave examples to show that the further lines penetrated into a country the better they would pay. In reference to the telegraph, be said that one of the causes of his visit to Australia was to give effect to the rcsulfcs of the Colonial Conference, and to connect blew Zealand by submarine cable with the rest of the world. The gold-mining interest was then alluded to, which Sir Donald said the Ministry had not neglected, considering as they did the importance of a population which hj id exported twenty-nine millions’ worth of gold. With reference to immigration, lie said, what with immigrants lauded and those now on the seas, it was not too much to say that before the end of the year there would be 50,000 immigrants in New Zealand under the Immigration On the subject of the abolition of the I rovinces he declared himself a firm supporter of the project, and gave extracts from despatches from Earl Grey and Sir J. Rakington which proved that, on the formation of the Provincial Councils, Homo statesmen looked upon them as doomed to merge into municipal institutions. He stated that the country districts had been much neglected, and sketched out what were the broad principles of the Government in view of the proposed change, namely, that local receipts should as far as possible be devoted to local purposes ; and that Road Hoards or Shire Councils, or whatever name might be given to them, should have the control of local expenditure. In fact, "•leu the I rovinces weie abolished, no on • would miss them. He then referred, as an example, to the nart played by the Provincial Council of dV ellington towards Hawke’s Bay before the separation, stating that the Hawke's Bay jiortion of the Province had contributed some iAojCOO to the Provincial revenue, while nothing more than an insignificant sum had been spent within Hawke’s Bay, which still remained charged with the interest for a portion of the Wellington debt. Another .feature connected with the Public Works Act was the acquisition of a lauded estate for the Northern Island, for which L 70,000 had been authorised. He could inform his hearers that already, what with negotiations completed and in progress, over seven millions of acres were being obtained, and he reminded them that under tiny old laud purchase systo n six and a-half millions of acres had become Colonial property. Passing to finance, he said that much misapprehension existed, the real facts being that previously to 18(19 the Colonial and Provincial debt was over L 7,000,000, and that at the end of September last the total indebtedness was L 12,400,540. In addition to this, ho staged that ther-ywas authorised, but not yet raised, a sum of 1,5,700,500, and iu hand at that lime. Although the total indebtedness to L 18,100,340, there was yet LCC.MH umaiscd and unexpended. When : 0 'V, }’ iUse -*« thu tobil annual charge wouid ye i.,L1,447. The future of the Colony was such as not to allow of any fear on account o. this <,eb... In regard lo tho Native question, -1 Donald sanl he did not believe iu continuing ni warfare with a fine chivalrous race when proper means of conciliation were available. He believed more iu-e location than in fighting. Of course ho had iu his position suffered some ooloquy ou account of his views and policy, but lie could afford (o ignore all that when his conscieuce satisfied him that he was following tho

more humane ami proper course. He quoted different returns of past Native expenditure, showing how it bad ranged .as high as LOO,OOO a-year, and told Ids audience that at present Native schools jihsoihod a third of the. Native expenditure, ile ivcognised the cervices performed by friendly chlc-f.j .and tribes, and their assistance, and made .some graceful allusions :o the officers connected with Ids depart:!! nfc. He then spoke of lire social Acts intro Juied since 1869, such as the Laud Transfer Act, the Annuities ami In-:uraure Act, and the Public Trustee Act, and resumed lus seat amidst loud and continued applause. Mr Ormond explained at length his reasons for voting for the abolition of Provinces. He had always been in favor of it ; Ins reasons'in 1861 were the same as now. Under the Provincial system there Was clashing in Native affairs : injury to the Colony from different land laws ; education was neglected, ami also gaols, hospitals, and asylums. They had now adopted a borrowing policy, and Provincial members were apt to log-roll for the benefit of the Provinces, and against the interest of the Colony. All tl ic Provinces, except Utago, Canterbury, and Hawke’s Pay, were supported by the General Government. It was necessary to do justice to the outstanding districts. In reference to himself he had done his best for the Province, but never placed its interest over that of the Colony. Ho had made a great public sacrifice for the Province, and relinquished his position as Minister of Public "Works to get Hawke’s Bay out of difficulty. After an able speech, he sat down amidst loud applause.

Christch ckch, November 12. The Metropolitan Agricultural Exhibition to-day was a great success, the weather being glorious!, and the attendance immense. There ■were 224 exhibits of .sheep, 94 of cattle, 114 of horses. 15 of pigs, 19 of pr.ulfrv, 11 of do-A 47 of implements, 27 of dairy produce, and 5(3 of local manufactures. The sheep, horses, cattle, and implements were of splendid quality, while there was clove competition in every class. Messrs Hutton Bros., of Southland, took the champion medal for Lincoln rams.

Grahamstown, November II

The Ohincmnri correspondent of the ‘ Advertiser’ reports that Mr Mackay has commenced business with the Natives. 'Hie Maoris held a meeting at Shortland on Monday, and condemned the proclamation prohibiting the sale of land by the Natives to any one but the Government. The ‘ Advertiser’ gives the following translation of a circular lately circulated amongst the Natives Hold on, hold on, hold on ! Wait the arrival of Mr M'Lcan ; he is the principal man; ho is the Minister for the Maori side. He will consider the correct regulation for the welfare of the people. The practice of issuing licenses is very wrong ; it is a treacherous proceeding, and has neither head nor tail.”

Auckland, November 12. The Superintendent’s contemplated visit to England, accompanied by the Provincial Secretary, is condemned by the ‘Cross’ and 4 Herald.’ The steamer Golden Crown, sold to a Sydney Company, has returned to port; after leaving the Bay of Islands for Sydney a leak having been discovered in her stern post, and the vessel making tin ee inches of waterhourly. Itis understood that a condition in the purchase recpiired the delivery of the steamer in Sydney by the 20th inst, Wellington, November 11. It is understood, on undoubted authority, that on tiie conclusion of the Court of Appeal sittings, Judge Chapman will be removed to Auckland. His Excellency leaves Wellington at the end of the present week or early next week. November 12. There tv as a greater rush for tickets for Madame Goddard’s second concert than for the first. (From our ou-n Correspondent.) November 11. Madame Goddard’s concert last night was an immense success. She received a perfect ovation, bouquets falling in showers, while her Scotch fantasia created & furore. Mrs Smythc also had a brilliant reception. Mr Branford has joined the company, which proceeds fiom here to Dunedin. [The above te’egram should have reached ns yesterday, but it occupied only twelve boms in transmission.]