PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume I, Issue 32, 6 February 1862, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

On Monday last, the fourth session of the Provincial Council was opened at 3 o’clock. The following members were present—His Honor the Superintendent, Messrs. Tucker (Speaker), Tiffen, Alexander, T. Fitzgerald, Ormond, Colenso, Hitchings, Triphook, M. Fitzgerald, Dolbel, Wood, Curling, and Captain Lambert j the only absentee being Mr. Rhodes. The Speaker, having taken his seat, proceeded to read the form of prayer usual on occasions of this nature. This being con-

eluded, the doors were opened, and the Strangers’ Gallery immediately became tolerably well filled with persons wishful to hear the proceedings. The Clerk read the Superintendent’s proclamation convening the Council; and the minutes of last meeting having been read and confirmed. His Honor read the following address : Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen op the Provincial Council op Hawke’s Bay,— It is a subject of congratulation that we meet on the present occasion with an increased number ot members to this Council, thereby affording a more satisfactory representation than hitherto of all parts of the Province. I have perhaps called you together much earlier than may be convenient to some of you, but under circumstances connected with the recent elections, we could not have met sooner, although I was very anxious that we should do so, in order that appropriations might be made for the current expenditure, or at all events for the first quarter of this year. Since the last sitting of the Council many circumstances of vital importance to the colony, and especially to this Province, have occured. Amongst the first, I may mention the conflict at one time likely to arise from the assertion of the Queen’s supremacy and maintenance of law and order among the natives of the Northern portion of this island, which could only have been effected by a strong military force ; and the probability of warlike operations being undertaken excited the sympathies of the Natives of this province, who were under the impression that one of the objects of the force assembled was to obtain possession of their lands. It was also feared that from this cause, amicable relations hitherto existing between the two races were likely to be ruptured, and the lives and properties of the settlers endangered, to whom no military protection could be afforded and would in the event of an outbreak have been compelled to abandon their homes, the location and outlay on which had been the work of years. We had reason at this period to be thankful to the General Government for responding so promptly to the request by this Council for an increase to the detachment of troops stationed at Napier ; the knowledge that military assistance was at hand no doubt in some measure served to allay the alarm at one time existing in the minds of many of the inland settlers of their helpless position should an outbreak have taken place among the Natives. I am however happy to think that there is now by the policy of His Excellency Sir G. Grey, every prospect of a peaceful solution of the Native difficulties under which the Northern Island has for some time past suffered ; nevertheless it is a fact that until very recently our relations with the Natives iu some portions of this Province have been very unsatisfactory, chiefly owing to the cattle of Europeans unavoidably trespassing on their lands. The Natives on various occasions have taken the law into their own hands by seizing cattle, and have made before releasing them such demands—though no doubt just—which to to Englishmen were intolerable. Wo must however attribute this to the hitherto supposed inability of our magistrates to render any assistance to the Natives on this question, it never having been considered, until very recently, that Native claims for trespass could be sustained under the Impounding Ordinance. The application of this Ordinance has been brought into force and acted upon at the instance of the General Government, who wish to arrive at an amicable solution of the existing difficulties. I must now call your attention to the fact that the leasing of Native lands as runs by Europeans has not as yet received any check : on the contrary, I believe runs are still sought for and obtained, notwithstanding that the Native Land Purchase Ordinance, which is still in force, prohibits Europeans dealing with the Natives for their lands. These il’egal acts give a very unfair advantage over those persons who, out of respect to this law, have abstained from infringing it, and from availing themselves of a source of profit arising therefrom. I venture to predict that these leases, if persisted in, will, in the absence of any legal tenure, be the means of causing frequent disturbances, not only between Europeans and Natives, but among the Natives themselves, These leases will also conflict with the proposed plan by the Governor for the introduction among the Natives of law, order, and management of their own lands. The permanent occupation of the Ahuriri plains for pastoral purposes would be highly detrimental to the Province. It would be a death-blow to our future prosperity, not only as affecting the interests of the working classes, but of the revenue as well. I shall recommend that no action whatever be taken in reference to leasing these plains for agricultural settlements until the system about to be introduced by his Excellency the Governor is fully inaugurated. I now turn to matters more immediately affecting the Government of this Province since I been in office. Most of you no doubt recollect that when we last met in the Council a doubt was entertained of the legality of the appointment made by my predecessor in office for the management and administration, of the Waste Lands of the Province. This doubt arose from the appointment of officers to the Land Board having been made subsequently to the date of the Governor’s acceptance of my predecessor’s resignation. On the receipt of the Warrant from the Governor dele^atin 0 * t n nm i-lm powers, under section VI. of the Waste Lands Act 1858,1 considered it advisable to cancel the appointments made and the Proclamation which abrogated the powers held by the Commissioner of Crown Lands, and to reinstate that officer with the powers previously held by him. The General Government has since thought it necessary, in order to prevent any doubt in respect of the authority under which the Commissioner of Crown Lands now acts, to issue another commis-

sion to that officer. It also appears that, if the Council desires to constitute a Waste Land Board it can only be established under some law to be made by the General Assembly. I shall furnish you with copies of the correspondence on this subject. By the provisions of an Act recently passed by the General Assembly for ths Audit of Accounts of Provincial Governments, it is necessary that we should, withiu one mouth after the commencement of the Session, concur in the nomination of an Auditor and Deputy Auditor of the public accounts, who will hold their offices under warrant of the Speaker, by whom their appointments will be notified to the Government. We shall therefore have to select fit persons for those offices at the present sitting, i have placed sums on the estimates for the payment of their salaries. The next subject ofimportanco is the apportionment of the Wellington debt between Wellington and Hawke’s Bay. You are aware, no doubt, that this question was, during the last meeting of the General Assembly, referred by consent of one of our representatives and the Superintendent of Wellington to the Auditor-General of New Zealand for his opinion, to determine how an arrangement between the two Provinces could be arrived at. It appears that the Auditor-General proposed that population should be the basis of apportionment, and that £IOO,OOO should be the extent of the Permanent Debt; and, that Hawke’s Bay, is entitled to pay—first £7,920, the amount spent on public works prior to separation ; —second that this Province should pay 3-17ths of the remainder of £IOO,OOO, viz., £92,080, which would give £16,250 as her share of the public debt of the original Province. Our proportion was taken to be 3-17ths to that of Wellington, according to the ratio of population which the Province bears to her. Consequently £24,170 would have to be borne by Hawke’s Bay as her share of the debt. I believe that though the Referee was of opinion that this Province is liable for this amount, still the Superintendent of Wellington was not satisfied with the Auditor-Goneral’s award. An Apportionment Bill was introduced during the late session of the General Assembly, but only by courtesy of the House it passed a first reading and had subsequently to be withdrawn it being understood that most of the members of the General Assembly did not desire as provided for in the Bill to delegate to Arbitrators the functions of the House of Representatives. The apportionment of the debt is still in abeyance pending the final adjustment of it at next session of the General Assembly. In the meantime the House of Representatives has authorized an advance of £2,500 to be made to the Treasurer of the Province of Wellington from the 5-6ths of the land purchases paid into the hands of the Receiver of Land Revenue at Napier, who has recently been instructed to pay £1,250 as the first instalment to the Sub-Colonial Treasurer ; the same amount having been paid to the Superintendent of Wellington by the General Government, so that, with the sum of £2,500 just mentioned and 8,000 previously paid, a sum amounting to £10,500, will have been absorbed as interest accruing on the Permanent Debt. A provision was, however, made by the House that the payment of £2,500 should not prejudice the principal or interest of our share of the debt on its final adjustment. In addition to this debt there are other demands arising against this Province which will absorb a portion of our yearly R evenues. By copies of correspondence between the Colonial Secretary and myself, I shall presently lay on the table, you will perceive that I have recently been called upon to pay to the Sub-Colonial Treasurer at Napier upwards of £2,071, shown to be the share of this Province in the apportionment between the two Provinces of Hawke’s Bay and Wellington for interest and sinking fund to 30th June, 1860, on amounts raised for land purchases. Before complying with the request I sought some explanation of the data on which the adjustment was based, as in some portion of the accounts rendered, they did not appear to agree with the provisions of the 15th section of the New Provinces Act. The replies to the information desired by me (since received) were not, to me, sufficiently explanatory, nor does it appear that the Wellington Government is satisfied with the adjustment proposed ; also during this month another statement of amounts due by this Province, on the same account to the 30th June last, have been furnished to me with the request that I should pay to the Sub-Colonial Treasurer at Napier upwards of £526 for interest on advances by the General Government on account of this Province together with £2,500 for interest and sinking funds on monies raised for laud purchases pending settlement of account. From the reasons, however, previously given, that it was desirable that the question of adjustmeut of accounts between the two Provinces should stand over until the next session of the General Assembly, I have not complied with this request. A short time since I issued a notice that the Agricultural Reserve at Hampden was open for selection and occupation by the working classes, subject to such regulations, price, and conditions as this Council shall determine on, at its present sitting. During the second session of this Council, certain resolutions under the proposed supplementary Land Regulations, but never passed into law, were adopted, which empowered the Superintendent, with the advice and consent of the Executive Council, to make purchases out of Provincial funds, of blocks of land suitable for the profitable occupation of the working classes. A certain block of land was purchased by my predecessor at Tikokino for an agricultural reserve. I believe it was his wish that the Land Board then in contemplation to be formed, should draw up regulations for the occupation of it. It was also my desire to carry out his intentions in this matter, but, as you are aware, no Land Board has yet been established, nor can it bo until obtained in the manner I have alluded to—consequently the Executive considered it incumbent on them not to delay any longer in framing regulations for the selection and occupation of this Reserve. A difficulty, however, not anticipated, arose by the Deed of Trust, though prepared, not having been executed by my predecessor, for as he had purchased the land, it devolved on him to complete the Deed, and under which the present Exe-

C.iitivo could only act. On (Ids discovery it was arcaded by (lie Provincial Government, in order iiud i.hcTe snould not b',» miy further delay hi this nmtlcr, ;0 issuo the notice before alluded to. --ui ocher reason lor adopting this course of action v a? that, under the 11th clause of proposed Land -Kcgulations, persona occupying the reserve should pav 10 per cent, on the value of the land, with a ingbt ol purchasing at any time during a period of -> ‘l ycars, at 10s. per acre. j.iic Executive concluded that it was never coulOinplntcd that the land to bo purchased would cost the Province more than 10s. per acre ; the reserve at Hampden realised at auction £OOI 10s. beyond the upset price ; and at the present time the ' alue oi ibis land is very much increased, and iMioiikl not therefore be disposed of at a less price taan it cost the Province. Under these circumstances the Provincial Government considered the best mode of dealing with this reserve was to issue tue notice beiorc mentioned, fully persuaded that the Council would act with strict justice, when framing regulations, price, and conditions, towards ilioso persons who would avail themselves of the opportimiry ol occupying the reserve. I am sorry BO " f° state that the Executive’s intention in this matter has been frustrated by another difficulty, not anticipated arising, which I shall take tiio first opportunity of explaining to the Council. . adic principal subject now for consideration is, what is our financial position ? For the past year our revenue has been ehicily derived from the sale oi os. laud ; but for how many years longer we can i cuture to depend upon the land as a source oi revenue, I am not prepared to venture an opinion. ihc revenue to bo derived from customs must he comparatively small, as long as duties on articles ot consumption, &c., are paid in Wellington and Auckland, but 1 trust in the course of a short time, when the proposed re-arrangement of steam communication to which I shall presently allude is established, that a considerable increase will be made to our customs revenue. e.ow wuh respect to the estimates of revenue foy_the past year. Under the head of ordinary, £i.sU'7 has been received, which exceeds the mws amount estimated. D J-he revenue on account of customs has been fully realised. extraordinary revenue, or revenue from the sane ol land, has been also greater than anticipated, tiumgii not exactly from the sources as stated in the estimates, Thin has amounted to JLAI.oGI l?s. 'kb That portion estimated under the head oi reclaimed land at -Napier, owing to these works, except a small portion being still in an incomplete y '-tv, has not been realised. At all events our financial position is move satisfactory than it was at the close ot IBGO, when we were LIU-il 11s. Gd. m debt to ti;e Union Tank. -dost oi'you are aware that when I assumed office the balance in the die A was very small, and mat iu enable Fublic \\ cries to be carried on, T wua antiiomocl by you to obtain an advance from the Union Bank, which 1 did to the extent of lick o. kmcal caution mis been exercised by the Proviuciai v-ioymnneiil in pru.-eenUng new works or roads in Inc inland districts tnrough the past winter, ilia great tiiUicu’ty winch still exists is the search v of huiour, and the high price of timber. In some instances contractors would not undertake work < Xvept at exorbitant redes winch the Government could not accept; also, that until the lad few months there has been barely Mdlleient funds to to carry on exist mg con true! s and undertakings, together with the prospect of having to meet the domanns made by the General Government previously alluded to. whe principal expenditure has been on Harbour •: mprorements, and reclamation of lands, which it is to bo hoped will in due tunc real :e .some portion °t t] ic amount already expended on them. The reclaiming of laud near Heydn’s and Vaut.ei s and \\ aghoru Street, has not proceeded with bud: vigor and rapidity you may have expected, ulus has partly arisen from a want of sullieient punts, cf which there are only 10, whilst I t might Ua\e oceu employed, under these circumstances ir has been impossible to recover any portion of tno revenue estimated to he derived from those worms ; but I trust that, should the Council think U to vote the amount required for their comj.lei ion especially with the assistance of the new Drcd"mg .Machinery which is daily expected, tl i<> amount dated in the estimates of revenue will be realized, ■ilim portion ofhmdbet\vceuVau(ior‘samllicydu‘s whicii has been in course of reclamation would be addition tp tne limbed spacohithertoavailablo for a mercantile community. From its easy acccos by geo a water frontage, I am disposed to anticipate remunerative prices will be obtained .or tne sections to be laid of thereon. f w ‘ : ‘C sum ol .uC;O yen cdforil arbour Improvements, UaUvO was included forccriain works which nave not been undertaken, as T foresaw that the whole vote would bo requiredfor the works in progress, and especially for the payment of sundry arrears ot which I was not acquainted when I aseumiHofiicc, and oilier unforeseen contingencies. £5812 IGs. had been expended on the Harbour Improvements to the 31st .December, IhGl. Included in this is the cost of the Dredging I.lachincry and freight, thereon ; also the expenses of the temporary whan, repairs ot damages to some of 1 1 ic works during a gale m (he winter, coal-store, tnnacr for the new Dredging Aiacluncry, and timber for breastwork which the works in progress rccaiircd for tbeir protection. The balance of vote, AG37 3s. Id., under the head of unexpended balances, which amount I propose bringing forward for your sanction, is necessary to meet advance; made in T\ovemhor December, and January,for II arbour Works. I may here mention liiat all dredging operations ceased on the, 12th of last month., so that beyond the contracts, a portion oi wine); lias been paid for, and aiioiivt.-mt expenses for piling in deep writer, and advances made in January on account cf those works which I have provided for in (ho estimates, von know the extent of our expenditure. Having proceeded thus far and made a consideraulc outlay on the reclamation of land for the mo.-part: still unfitted tor sale, it is lor (he Council to consider whether we should n.,.w abandon these works in this stn'e, or vole a snificient sum only for I In ir eoniplel ma. 1 may lu-re remark that n wilt he impr-snlde 1.. complete llu ,-e works

without the assistance of the dredge. Should the Council feel justified in voting the amount required, X would suggest that the proceeds of the sale of these sections should ho allowed to he set aside for the formation of a fund for the gradual improvement of the Harbour, uucler the supervision of a Harbour Commission appointed for that purpose : and that for the future no funds except those derived from this source should he applied to such work. In consequence of the shallowness of the lancl-ing-place at the Eastern Spit, which appears to have been gradually increasing, and proving of the greatest disadvantage to vessels frequenting the Iron Dot, it was found advisable to erect a temporary jetty, which has afforded iu some measure facilities for vessels bemgcasily discharged and loaded. Whilst touching on this subject I may mention that had wc sufficient funds at ohr disposal I should at this sitting have proposed the. erection of a wharf about 500 feet in length, from Pilot Reserve extending along Town Sections numbers 51Xto 518 the Custom house reserve and street. There is now no doubt that the embankment ought to have been (he first work undertaken. It would hare rendered the Harbor as complete as one could desire. The embankment could not, I fear, bo completed at a less cost Ilian £5,000. Connected however, with suali a proposition you would have had to consider thequesticn of the right of the Provincial Government to interfere with the water frontages of the proprietors‘ of the Town Sect ions before mentioned. They assert that (hey purchased those sections on the laith ot the water frontages being retained by them -, whilst, on the other hand, the right of the I’rovincial Government to reclaim any portion of the sea in front of these sections is vested in the Superintendent under a Deed of Grant. It would, however, appear from a communication I have received from the General Government tnat, should it bo found desirable to form an embankment, it would be necessary for theX’rovineial Got eminent to obtain an Act of the General Assembly authorizing it, so that persons who might think their rights interfered with would have the opportunity of putting forward their claims. I shndalso furniih you with the correspondence on this question of importance. How with respect to Bridges and Roads. The Mc-ance bridge will he completed in a few days ; and the road across the Mcanee fiats, which‘will be connected with the road made through the bids loading to Ihiketapu, will he also shortly open thus far, and afford every convenience and facility to persons in that locality for bringing (heir prodneo to .Napier. ’1 he Pc.tiki bridge lias a!so been completed, i lie Ifotanc road, as aho a port ion of I I u l . Ciod yov.-I in j h A vile Imfo, aval cWlhw at Ivait-ova creek, hive Ivon finished. Several contracts for formation and metalling of the worst portions ol ie Auto line ’nave been let out to Europeans and Natives. I am in hopes that this hue will be made this summer in a more passable and complete state than it was last winter. I am, however sorry to say wc have met with obstructions by sonic oi tsic Natives in the maintenance ot that portion of the r. ad ’which pa<-cs throuirh *N;uiic land. j.iey desire that the Government. u-ioiild pay Ur (tie metal required—a demand i am not authorised to entertain. Fomo poition Oi t!i e -■ a indie ear i, near 1 :;e ivaokao-roa lens, is being metalled by contract, dome nortion oi me iveui from .Moinika harbour inkmd" to lauranga hu m is completed. The oiilv apnroach fo the I’ohni hush by the River Fsk‘ has been facilitated by (he works at Eai-waka hill recently finished. The approach to the* bush -from Towgoou and Campbell s is about completion. There is no ciouht that every lac ility should ho offered for (he occupation ot tills hush, in which there is very fine timber sndable for all purposes. It is a vcll-known fact that our market is, and has been for some time past supplied with timber from -A'liCidand inn; \i ellmgion. ‘Water carriage by tuc -Ma.ngnone river from the Pohui bush would bo a less expensive means of transport for timber but until certain obstructions in the river bed are removed, great delay will occur in getting timber brought to Napier by this route. As regarus the roads in the town of Napier, Hastings- street lias been completed to the beach. Iho v.idcnmg and metalling of Slmkcspcarc-road is almost completed. The expenditure on this road is in excess oi the vote, as connected with this work is luo extension of Hie road across fcihakesparo Flat, to form a junction with Waghornsu'eet. si further sum is required to complete tills extension ot tfiiakc.-peare-voad. W aghorustrcct is partly finished, and I am iu hopes that this new line ol road will be ready for traffic in the course of one month. kv ifh respeet to delay in the removal of (he 1' \> aipurcku, no doubt the settlers at Clive, as nnoil as the settlers inland have, evorv reason for tnat (no question oi '• grass money,” and the demand on the part of the native chiefs that rent siionld be paia by the Provincial Government for a site for’ the ferryman’s house and paddock, has occn {no cause of the nou-romoval cf the punt. The recent Hoods causing the insulation of the appronen on tue Hapicr side from the urgent necessity widen demand it, made it imperative that the Provincial Government should take all risks of the obstruction slated by (ho natives would bo offered by them were it removed to a temporary site, r-o as to enable the communication with Clino ami i no inland districts to be re-oponed. How the question is, what site should be chosen as a permanent one by which the settlers at Clive saonld deri\c equal benefit? 1 rum competent authority it is eviuent that the present position of the punt is not a sole one ; neither is the site known by the designation of “‘Willows” (Pukono), on the Ngaruroro riuer. The sites best suited as permanent ones are higher up the river : one rviioen by the, name of foaraka,' and the other between t ae latter amt Tnranuiorangi; from either oi whieh sites a branch, road could be made to Ox inaxmg the roa;l and its branches will Jiave to bo luliy considered. I shall presently lay on the labio the reports oi l.’rovincial Engineer and Director of orks wiiii ix-feiviice to this subject. H il.i iv.-pec! to the conduct ot servers tor the year li’Nil, a rival amount of work has been satisGelorily performed by Hie Survey Department. F ■diaii furnisb you wiiii copies of the Gbief Survey-

or’s report, in which is explained the cause for a greater amount of expenditure than was estimated for the past year. The next subject of great importance to us as a Province is steam communication. I bcUevo some plan is in course of arrangement to establish InterProvincial services on the West and East Coasts of the Northern island. It is proposed to bring the English mail via Otago and Wellington from Melbourne, or via Auckland from Sydney for Napier. liy the former route wo should get the mail 1 day sooner than by the latter, and t) clear days for the replies to letters for the homeward mad via Wellington. Pam given to understand that the Sydney steamer to Auckland has, in the interval between her arrival at Auckland and her return to Sydney, ample time for a trip to Napier, to bring on passengers and goods from Sydney. The cost of this trip would be extra to the contract by the General Government ; and, therefore, should we desire to avail ourselves of this opportunity, which will produce advantages incalculable to us as a Province. I hope you will have no objection to vote a suilicicnt sum for the purpose.

The Sheep and Scab Act passed by this Council during the last session, g,nd reserved by mo for fho signification of tbo Governor’s assent thereto, lias been returned to me, with a message from His Excellency, in order that the Act may be amended by the insertion of a clause to provide for the extent of the penalties to be imposed by this Act. Aon will therefore take His Excellency’s message into consideration at the present sitting. The message and letter on the subject from the Colonial Secretary shall bo submitted to you. With regard to the Registration of Deeds in this Province, this department by the “ Registration of Deeds Amendment Act, 18G1,” has° been placed under the direction of the General Government. This arrangement took place from the commencement of the year, and for the service of that department a provision has been made by the General Assembly, ■With regard to Immigration, I believe, and am supported by the members of my Executive Council, that to promote the true interests of this Province wc should give assistance to those immigrants only who are sent for by resident inhabitants, who will be responsible for the amount of their passage money. For any information you may desire to have on the subject of Education, 1 shall lay before you the report of the Inspector of Schools for "the past year.

T>.V the ifstimatcs of Dcvcnuo ami Expenditure of ibo present year, which 1 shall presently place on the table, it will be observed that £5,018 is for Ordinary, and £22,507 is for .Extraordinary revenue, which, with £7,018 os. Gd. (the balance in the chest on the 31st Dee., 1S01), gives a total of 30,203 ss. fid. as revenue for the irresent year. Ihe Estimate for the Ordinary Expenditure of the Provincial Government is £1,835 ; under head of Legislative, £123; Judicial and Police, £IOO2 ; Charitable, £ll3 ; Education, £>soo ; ■Special, £1,015 Gs. 3d. ; Crown Lands, £770 ; Public W orbs and Undertakings (including Surveys), £10,132 Os. 6d. ; winch, together with the unexpended balances of appropriation for ISOI, amounting to £I7OO 18s. Id., and which I intend bringing forward for your sanction, makes a total of estimate's of expenditure for 1802 of £3l,tu t •!s. lOd. This will leave a margin of £3311) os. lid. in favor of the revenue estimated. 1 would now beg to suggest to the Council whether it would not be advisable to pass an Act of Appropriation only, at the present sitting, of the amount required for the first quarter of the year, for the following reasons : I‘irst ; That by having the financial year to commence on the Ist of April and end 'on the 31st of March, wc shall thereby suit the convenience of a great number of the members of this Council, who at this season of the year, can ill spare the time to attend sessions. Secondly ; That as. the dissolution of this Council will likely take place at the commencement of next year, wo should bo enabled, after having made appropriation for the first quarter of this year, to meet at the end of April next to which period it would perhaps be advisable to adjourn ; when, on that occasion, wo would make appropriation for the year ending March, 1803, and legislate upon the many questions of moment which require your particular attention. I sliall now conclude, fearing T have somewhat trespassed upon your patience and attention ; bat I trust 1 shall bo excused in my endeavour to render an account—cursory as it is—of the proceedings of ray Government, in which I have boon solely actuated to perforin the duties devolving on me with impartiality, and with duo consideration for the efficiency of the departments under my charge. Mr. Wood gave notice that he would move a reply to His Honor's address to-mor-row (Tuesday). The following papers were laid on the table by the Superintendent ; 1. Statement oftho Expenditure of the Province of Hawke’s Day for the year ending 31st. Dec., 18G1, shewing also votes of Provincial Council, and excess of both Vote and Expenditure. 2. Estimate of Dcvcnuo for 1862. 3. Estimate of Expenditure for ISG2. I>. Statement of Revenue for ISGI. 5. Correspondence with reference to a claim by the General Government of sums on account of sinking fund for Land purchases. 6. Depot t of Mr. Gill on Waipurcku and inland line of Hoad. 7. Deport of Mr. \v right on Waipuveku and Inland lino of Doad (with map.) 8. Deports of Messrs.Tillen, Wright, and Gill, for Ist half-year of ISGP 2. Deport of Mr. Tiffon and Mr. Gill for last half-year of 18G1. 10. Letter returning Sheep and Scab Act from Colonial Secretary. 11. Letter requesting Waipuveku to bo banded over to the General Government, and reply (hereto. 12. Correspondcncobctwoon Superintendent and Colonial Secretary, with reference to embankment in Iron Pot—involving questions of water frontage.

13. Copy of Mr. TuTen’s re-appointment as Land commissioner.

I I'- Letter from Mr. Stafford to the Superintendont, stalm- Unit Mr. M. Fitzgerald lias been railed upon to report upon the work performed by him. J

15. Reply of Colonial Secretary to memorial of the Provincial Council on the "subject of Land llegidations.

15. Copy of Letter from Secretary of Crown Lands to Commissioner of Crown Lands, Napier, requiring explanation of the circumstances under which the Supcriiitcndent of Hawke’s Lay purchased land at Hampden. The following- letter was then read in explanation of the diliiculty to which the Superintendent had referred to in his address. Crown Land Oflice, Auckland, 3th January, 1802. Sir, —My attention has been eallad to the circumstance of a purchase of Crown Lauds said to have been made by the Superintondant oftbc Province of Hawke’s Pay, out of provincial funds, with a view to re-selling the land in some other form.

This matter appears to mo to require explanation and 1 beg the favor of your immediately supplying the Government with the particulars of the tram saction, and authority' upon which the same is grounded. I may also observe that it would have been right for yon, as Commissioner of Crown Lands, to have called my attention to the circumstance.

I suggest that, pending the consideration of the question, no steps should bo taken towards dealing with the land, as I. am not at present prepared to state that His Excellency can be advised to issue a Crown Grant to the Superintendent. 1 have to request the favor of your reply to this by return of mail. I am, Ac., (Signed) ITjcxuv Sewell, For the Commissioner of Crown Lands. The Commissioner of Crown Lands, Xapier. The Superintendent expressed Ins regret ut the disappointment which several perrons had experienced who had made applications lor reserves at Hampden Ly attending' at the Land Oiiiee, Xapier. A letter addressed to the Speaker, dated November, 1800, Hied in the ollicc, had referauce to this difaculty. Capt. LAvnn'iiT moved that the letter from the Colonial Secretary, dated kOth November, IStJO, be road. Mr. Cuulixg moved, and Capt. Lambert seconded the motion, that llis Honor the Superintendent's address he printed, which was ordered to bo done. The Si’KAKEit laid on the table a letter from the Clerk of the Council in reply to that of the Colonial Secretary. Alter this had Leon read, the Speakf," explained that the letter in question had arrived during Ids predecessor’s tenure of office. After the following notices of motion— Mr. iifi’F.x moved, that the Council he adjourned until iuesday, tile -Ith iust., at 3 o'clock. TuF.sn.vy, IfKimrAnv -1. The Speaker took the chair at a quarter past three. All the members wore present. Mr. 1. 11. iiTXGKUAr.j) presented a petition from Mr. L. G. Wright, praying that the Council would take the ' statements therein contained into consideration, and moved that it he read. Letition received and read. Mr. llnoDKs presented a petition from 35 persons residing iiq Havelock and surrounding district, praying that such sums of money be placed on the estimates as the Provincial Lngincer may think suilicient for improving the roads in tlicir locality. Mr. 1 ii'i'Fx thought that a sum had been already placed on the estimates for the purpose referred to in (lie petition. Mr. 11 iiODK.s had not seen the estimates ; the petition had only been put in his hands very recently before entering. Mr. Wood, in moving the reply to His -Honor's address, observed that although documents of that kind were of a very formal character, he v hpd found some difficulty in putting it into form, both from the many subjects it treated of, and Ids limited time preventing him from giving it much consideration. The reply was as follows—That tins Council, on tlie opening of ils fourth session, lias heard with pleasure your Honor's speech, and has lo thank your Honor for the statement therein embodied of the condition and prospects of the Province. It concurs with your Honor that the late increase to the number of members—although it does not seem to have been fully appreciated by the country constituencies, will load to a more satisfactory state of the representation. The diiuculty which your Honor has felt in fixing such a time for the sittings of Council as would suit the convenience of country members, and at the same time preclude the necessity of unauthorized expenditure, will bo obviated by acting upon the suggestion made in another part of the address, that the financial year do commence on the first of April, in which the Connell is prepare!! to acquiesce. The Council notes your Honor’s remarks upon the wide range of subjects opened up by tho present phase of the native question. It believes it would be travelling beyond its legitimate bounds' were it to express any opinion as to whether, under the present policy of his Excellency Sir Geo. Grey, there is any prospect of a peaceful solution