OPENING OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Globe, Volume III, Issue 252, 2 April 1875, Page 3

OPENING OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

The session of the Provincial Council was opened to-day at 2 p.m. The following members were present:— Messrs Montgomery, Maude, Jollie, Joynt, Webb, Gray, Wynn Williams, Pilliet, Jebson, Andrews, Wilson, Potts, Knight, Harper, Westenra, Maskell, Dixon, Higgins, J. M. Tosswill, Buckley, W. B. Tosswill, Fisher, I. Wilson, White, Turnbull. NEW MEMBERS. The Speaker read a communication from hi 3 Honor the Superintendent, announcing that Mr A. Perry had been elected for the district of Seadown, in the room of Mr W. Kennaway; that Mr J. W. White had been returned for the town of Timaru, in room of Mr G. Healey, deceased; that the writ for GeraMine had not been returned. THE SUPERINTENDENT S ADDRES. His Honor the Superintendent then entered the Chamber and delivered tbe following— ADDRESS. " Mr Speaker and Gentlemen—- " When I met you in the month of May last, it was my privilege to congratulate you on the prosperous condition which the province had attained. " If some of the exceptional circumstances which then attended our position are now wanting, we still have cause to be well satisfied with the progress which the province is making in enlarged industries, increased population, and extended means of communication. " If the agricultural interest has to consent for the present to a lower price i or this year's produce, the unusual yield of the g; ain harvest will to some extent compensate for the reduction in the ruling rates; and very beneficial results may be expected from the largely increased facilities for shipment. " The price of wool has been maintained at fairly remunerative rates, and the recently published returns show that the growth of this product is far more largely combined with that of grain throughout the country than in previous years; so that the prosperity of the agricultural interest is far less dependent on one class of produce than heretofore. " Nearly 50,000 acres have been laid down in artificial grasses during the past year, making a total of nearly 300,000 acres so laid down, while the growth of other crops than grain and grass has been more than doubled in the past year, thus largely increasing the producing power of the country and showing a marked advance in the conduct of farming operations. " On the whole, an additional area of not less than 90,000 aGres has been brought under cultivation and crop during the past year. The result is gratifying as indicating a steady increase of industry and settlement simultaneously with the increafe of population and alienation of the public estate. " Various causes have contributed to diminish the sales of waste lands during the past few months. One principal cause is no doubt the higher price of money which has recently obtained. " The estimated receipts for the nine months ending March 31st have not been realised by a sum of about £40.000. " Considerable progress has been made in the construction of harbour works in Lyttelton. The wharf at the tunnel mouth is completed, and the steam dredge authorised by you has been contracted for and is now ready for despatch from Glasgow. " A careful survey of the harbour at Timaru was made by Mr Whately Eliot, the engineer, sent for the purpose from England. I hope very shortly to receive Sir John Coode's opinion and proposals, which he was expected to forward after Mr Eliot's return to England. " A survey of the Port of Lyttelton by Mr Eliot with borings, and all necessary information, will also be submitted to him for his opinion as to the best design for a graving dock and patent slip. " Papers containing full information on these subjects will be laid before you ; also, a report by Mr Eliot on the Sumner navigation, and a report by Mr Bray on the drainage of Lake Ellesmere. 11 A return has been prepared showing the general results of the working of the railways during the past year, and will be laid upon the table. "About fifty-three additional miles of railway have been opened for traffic during the month, viz., from— Miles. Rakaia to Ashburton, about ... 17 Rolleston to Malvern, about ... 24 Rangiora to Oxford, about ... llf " The length of line open on the Ist July, 1874, was about sixty miles ; at the present time there are nearly 113 miles, so that it will be seen that the length of line open for traffic has been nearly doubled during the nine months. "Within the course of a few months it will be still further increased by the opening of the following lines:— Miles South line, extension to Rangitata ... 19 Southbridge line, about 24 Oxford line, extension 10 North line, extension to Amberley ... 13} Whitecliffs branch line 11J Kaiapoi and Eyreton IS|

Or a total of nearly ninety-six miles, which) added to the length now open, will make a total of nearly VO9 milop, more than three times the mileage open in last July. "lam glad to be able to announce that arrangements are being made by means of a temporary bridge over the RangUata for the carrying of traffic to the south "side of that river within four months from this time. " I have undertaken to recommend you to make a moderate contribution towards the extra expense involved in this proposal, believing that the early opening of the line to this point will be a great boon to the public. "Immigration to this province has been actively promoted during the past year, and notwithstanding the difficulties attending the arrival of a large number in the depth of winter, they have hitherto been readily absorbed in the industries of the country. " I am of opinion that it would be unwise to repeat the introduction of any considerable number at that season of the year. " During the past year twenty-six immigrants ships have arrived at Lyttelton conveying 10,098 immigrants for this province of whom 1120 were nominated in the colony and joined their friends on arrival. Included in the above number are upwards of 1700 married men with families, a large proportion of whom are agricultural laborers from the Midland, and Southern counties of England. " The whole of these immigrants with very few exeptions, have been readily and naturally absorbed. New depots have been built during the year at Waimate, Timaru, Ashburton, Southbridge, Akaroa, and Rangiera : and a depot for the accommodation of convalescent patients from the quarantine station has been erected on Quail Island ; 129 cottages have been erected, and placed under the control of the several Road Boards : besides several groups of sod huts in the Southern part of the province. " I take this opportunity of expressing the satisfaction which it has given me to observe the generally suitable character of the immigrants who have arrived. " I have also to express the obligation under which I feel to Mr Duncan, the agent who has represented the province during the past year in the selection of immigrants, and has cordially co-operated with the Agent-General for this purpose. His untiring energy and zeal has contributed largely to make the resources of the province to be known in the agricultural districts of the United Kingdom. " A valuable and interesting report from him will be laid before you. " The great influx of immigrants has at the same time made large demands upon the resources of the country for the support of hospitals, and other public institutions, and for the maintenance of order. It has also in some instances made necessary an expenditure in excess of appropriation. " I shall ask you to renew liberal grants for these. " The necessity for increased expenditure for drainage anc; other sanitary purposes is pressing itself on the attention of the governing bodies in the centres of population, and their requirements will no doubt be carefully considered by you. " The liberal provision made by you for education has produced most satisfactory results during the past year. " The number of children attending the district schools in the province during the quarter ending 30th September, 1873, was 7695, while the number attending during the quarter ending 30th September, 1874, was 10,136, showing an increase of 2441. You will be asked to make further liberal provision for the current year. "A Bill to amend the present Ordinance will be submitted to you, and will, I am sure, obtain the careful consideration which the importance of the subject demands. " The recent outbreak of scab from the sale of a number of sheep from a farm in the Northern district, points to the necessity for more stringent provisions for the suppression of the disease. " A Bill will be submitted to you for this purpose. " The last session of the General Assembly of the colony is remarkable for resolutions which were passed by one branch of the Legislature affirming that the Provincial form of Government in the North Island should be abolished; and that in the measure giving effect to this proposal there should also be included a provision declaring Wellington to be the seat of Government cf the colony, and for continuing the localisation of the land revenue in accordance with what is known as the compact of 1856. " The Colonial Executive was directed to consider during the recess how best to give effect to these resolutions. " Until the result of their deliberations is known, and some definite plan is placed before the country having for its object to secure a satisfactory form of local government in the place of that which it is proposed to abolish, it is difficult to form a clear opinion upon the decision which has been arrived at. " As purporting only to affect the Northern Island, it might seem unnecessary for me to make reference to it, were I not convinced that on mature consideration any change in the constitution will be such as it will be deemed advisable to apply to the whole colony. " For the present the only indication of the intention of the Government in respect of the resolution I have quoted is contained in a resolution subsequently submitted to the House of Representatives, and carried by that body that ' the provincial Bystem of government in the North Island should as soon as possible be followed by an inexpensive but more thorough form of local governmett, under which the island should be divided into districts and sub-districts endowed with substantial revenues, and the residents therein be enabled to take a larger and more direct share in the management of local affairs, and the expenditure of local revenues, than is at present the case.' " To understand the full bearing of such proposals, it is necessary to be in possession of more detailed particulars of the manner in which effect is to be given to them. " I regret that I am unable to place before you such information, especially in relation to the endowments mentioned, as I think you would wish for, as the subject is one which must, sooner or later, affect this in common with the rest of the Provincial Governments of the colony. " I now declare this Council open for the dispatch of business. " William Rolleston, " Superintendent." His Honor then retired,

PAPERS. The Provincial Secretary laid several papers on the table connected with his department. The Secretary for Public Work 3 also laid a number of papers on the table. ADJOURNMENT. Notices of motion having been given, the Council adjourned till 5 p.m. on Tuesday.