PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume II, Issue 101, 27 March 1863, Page 3

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL.

Wednesday, March 23. Present —Messrs. M'Lean, Tiffen, Carter. Curling, Coleuso, Hitchiugs Doibel, "Wilkinson, Tuke, Fitzgerald, and Kennedy. After the minutes of the st sitting had been read by the Clerk, Dr. Ditchings rose and said he was about to ask pet mission to propose a vote of thanks to the iate fcuperiniemd-nt for the way in which lie had conducted his . st services, whilst holding that oiii.ee, and e ,bought such vote would he willingly accorded. He need not reiterate what he had said on a former occasion with respect to His late Honor's conduct whilst fuirtiling those duties. Mr. M‘Lean had great pleasure in seconding toe motion. than nag Cu e 27 was then suspended, and the v>.te ot thanks passed aerordingly. His Honor the Superintendent then rose, and t.eliverd the following speech : Mr. Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council — In opening the present session of the Provincial Council I again thank you for the unanimous manner in which you have elec ed me to the office of Superintendent. 1 am fully sensible of the responsibility and appreciate the importante at as peculiar juncture in our Provincial affairs of the trust you have routined to me. The unsettled state ot our relations with the Ha lives—the reduction in our territorial revenue—and a withdrawal of a portion of our population to Otago and other gold-pro-ducing provinces—has occasioned a greater depression as compared with past years of more abundant revenue, than might have been expected, but I trust this state of things may not be of long duration. Notwithstanding these discouragements, it

must be allowed' that the Province is .steadily advancing in material wealth, as shown by the extensive improvements carried on by private enterprise as well as by the annually increasing value of its exports. The exports from the Port of Napier alone for the year 1858 amounted to £24,270 16s. Bd.; imports for the same period, £4,786 ; exports for the year 1862, £60,090 os. 6d.; imports, £33,294 10s. It is satisfactory to be able to assure the inhabitants of this Province that there are no questions at issue with the natives calculated in any way to disturb its general tranquility. Whatever causes may exist to create anxiety in other parts of this Island, we may confidently anticipate a continuance of friendly relations with the Natives of Hawke’s Bay, and I am glad to hear my own testimony to the fact that they are steadily progressing in industrial pursuits and in the acquisition of property and wealtli which they cannot afford and do not desire to lose. I feel it, however, my duty to deprecate the practice which has been too prevalent. New Zealand, of giving undue prominence to isolated instances of individual misconduct. Itwouhi he unreasonable to expect thar thecontact of two races so dissimilar should be unattended by occasional differences between individuals. With a view, therefore, to strengthen as much as possible the hands of the Magistracy in the equal administration of justice, an application has been made to the General Guvernme it by some of our settlers, in which I fully concur—to have a portion of the Colonial Constabulary Force authorized by the General Assembly stationed in this Province. It is generally allowed that we possess the finest climate and best pastoral and agricultural country in the North Island of New Zealand, and with such advantages we have every reason to hope for a prosperous future. It devolves upon us, however, to turn these advantages to the best account for the interests of the community and to devise such measures as may be best calculated to promote this object. One means by which we must expect to increase our prosperity will be t' ■» acquisition of fresh tracts of land from the Natives. Wit hout this we can hold out hut few inducements for the introduction of labor and capital. You are aware that by a late Act of the General Assembly, which only awaits the sanction of the Imperial Government to become Law, the Province will be placed in competition with individual capitalists and speculators, who are prepared to invest largely in the purchase of land, and in whose hands it will in all probability he lucked up for an indefinite period from access to the industrious classes. To provide against such a contingency I feel it my duty tc ask your sanction to the raising of a loan of £30.060 for the acquisition of Land from the Native , and a further sum of £30,000 for the purpo s of Immigration, maintenance of roads, harbor accommodation, ami police. Ample security will he afforded for these loans by the lands now possessed . tiie Province, as well as by those that may hereafter be acquired. In commencing the adrnini ration of the affairs of this Province. I regret, the necessity of advising this course, but I see no alternative in our esent circumstances except that of In- g p; cedi in a worse position titan capitaii:-t.s, either ab-entee or resident, who may with, large means divest the Province of its most available and legitimate source of revenue. From the extent of Waste Lands possessed by the Province, it is evident that we have more than suliicieut security for liabilities already incurred us well as for fresh loans. It may, however, he expedient fortheCouncil to consider whether a more advantageous mode of leguialh.g the luoing and these disposal fo lands cannot ho devised. I am of opinion that the principles laid down in a report of a Select Committee of the Provincial Council appointed on the Ist March, iB6O, are equally applicable to our present ci instances. ii is“true ihat since that time a great extent of the most available land has been disposed of, and it is only necessary now consider how what remains may be render..,; most available for the interests of the Province. It appears to me that the only means by which we can secure a permanent revenue from the lands at present occupied by Runholders is that of granting leases with a preemptive right of purchase upon such terms

as the Council may deem just and equitable. The acquisition of fresh territory from the Natives must necessarily, under the altered chcnmsrances of the Colony, be attended with .much more diiiiculty and expense than formerly, although I may state that certain tracts of country are now under offer. Time, patience, and available funds will no doubt remove some of the obstacles to the acquisition of land adapted to the requirements o agricultural settlers.

It may be found necessary, as a means of attracting Immigration, that certain blocks of such land should be set apart for special settlement and disposal of upon a system of deferred payments. As we must rely chiefly upon population not only for the solution of our preseut difficulties, but also by means of indirect taxation for an increase of revenue, I would earnestly direct your attention to the necessity of devoting as much as possible of any funds that may lie available to the introduction of immigrants from the mother country, including assistance in bringing distressed operatives from the manufacturing districts in the north of England. An offer worthy of your consideration has been made by the Messrs. Goddefroy, a highly respectable firm in Hamburg, to send out to New Zealand emigrants, to be approved of on arrival in the Colony by a local board, charging only six per cent, on the original outlay, and allowing a period of ten years for the re-payment of the capital embarked by them. The introduction of German immigrants, judiciously selected, has proved so successful in oilier Colonies, that there can be no question as to the advantage to be derived from having a certain number of them introduced into this s Province, as they can produce and manufacture in this flue climate many articles which we are obliged to import at high prices from foreign markets. The peculiar advantages of German Immigration under the foregoing arrangement is, that a population who will soon be self-sup-porting can be obtained without any large immediate outlay beyond providing a year’s rations, to be afterwards repaid by the recipients. The loans necessary for carrying out the above objects will require the sanction of the. General Government, which I do not conceive will be withheld, inasmuch us the objects contemplated bear materially upon the settlement of the Native diiiiculty, and must ultimately have a tendency to diminish the necessary expenditure for military purposes that is incurred by the Colony as well as by the Mother Country. It must also he evident that the security fur loans already contracted will be greatly enhanced in value by the ossession of : dditional tracts of laud and population. The subject of Education is one of such importance that I trust it will engage your attention. It will be found that at preseut the .an 'or' from leasing Educational lie serves are equate to the wants of our rising population. There is another object of local interest to the Town in which it will be necessary that some steps should be taken, and that is the erection of an Athenmum. It will be in the recollection of the Council th a sum of AzOo was voted for this purpose, and a further sum has been raised by private subscription, but no part of this has been expended. I propose to ask you for a further sum to carry out this object. With regard to Roads, it appears to me hat all that can be done for the present with our limited resources is to keep in repair and complete as we can the main lines already commenced. Branch Roads should be undertaken by 'vate enterprise, such grants in aid being wed in fair proportion to each district as ■ resources of the Province will afford. I will lay before you an able and detailed report by the Provincial Engineer on the general state of the roads throughout the Province, shewing that much has been already done in opening up internal communications. The great line of road connecting the Northern and Southern parts of tiiis Island must necessarily, owing to the natural features of the country, be taken along the Eastern side of the mountain ranges which form the backbone of the Island. This Province lias already, by means of Native ;and other labor, constructed a considerable portion of the line, and it now devolves more particularly on the Auckland Government to open up those portions of it which are within that Province. I have been in communication with His Honor the Superintendent of Auckland on the subject, and I am glad to find that he is disposed to co-operate in the matter.

In the expectation that he will devote certain sums’for the purpose, I have arranged with the Natives to cut a line through a dense forest which forms six miles of the worst part of the road between Napier and Taupe. A wooden dwelling-house has been erected by a Chief near the line of road for the accommodation of travellers, and I am assured of having the assistance of the Natives in carryiug on the work towards P<>I am also in hopes that it may be possible to open up a better line of communication between our inland plains and the West Coast of the Wellington Province. Situated as w r e are, between these two Provinces, it cannot fail to he a matter of solicitude to us to have the great road of the Country 'ending through the fertile plains of Hawke's liny, and whatever may be the action taken by the Genera! and Provincial Governments in the matter, it certainly is a work which I feel justified in adverting to, as the future condition of the Colony at large will be greatly affected by it. A comp any lias been formed for the purpose of establishing Steam Communication between this Port and other parts of New Zealand, and there is every reason to expect that considerable advantage will accrue to the Province from the undertaking. It is much to be regretted that the efforts hitherto made to deepen and improve tire Harbor, which were attended with considerable expense, have proved unsuccessful. Desirable as it may be to render it accessible to larger Shipping, I consider that it would be imprudent, except under highly scientific guidance, to incur any expenditure beyond what is required for better Wharf accommodation, and such piling as may be found indispensibly necessary. A Local Marine Boards Act will be prepared to provide for the appointment of Commissioners, whose duty it will be to regulate the affairs of the Harbor, and it is for the Council to consider whether the Boating Establishment does not require to be placed on a better footing. It will he necessary that early action should be taken by the Council to decide upon the best course to pursue in reference to the adjustment of the Wellington debt. His Honor the Superintendent of Wellington has intimated to may predecessor a willingness on the part of his Government to have the question of the apportionment of the debt decided by arbitration, and three Commissioners have been appointed by that Province for the purpose. A statement of the Revenue and Expenditure for the past year will shortly be laid before you, together with the Estimates for the ensuing year. It is may earnest desire, as I trust it may be that of the Council generally, that, our proceedings should be marked by a determination to promote the general interests of the community, irrespective of any local differences. which can only have a tendency to ime the advancement of the Province. On the motion of Captain Carter the speech was ordered to be printed. Mr. Fitzgerald, pursuant to notice, asked for a return, which was laid an the table by His HonorMr. Tiefen brought up a bill relating to disease in sheep (which wiil be found elsewhere) and moved that it be lead a first time. Mr. Curling seconded the motion, and bill read accordingly. On the motion of Mr. Tiefen, seconded by Mr. Curling, the bill was ordered to be printed. Mr. Curling moved that the hill he read a second time on Wednesday next, which was seconded by Mr, Tiefen, and carried. The Council then adjourned till Tuesday next, March 31st, at 3 p.m.