PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume IV, Issue 182, 8 July 1864, Page 2

PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

Feidat, July 1. The Council met at 3 p.m. Present—The Speaker, Messrs. M’Lean, Ormond, Smith, Dolbel, Richardson, Kennedy, Colenso, Tiffen, Fitzgerald, Edwards, Rhodes, Curling. _ The minutes were read, and notices of motion given by Messrs Colenso, Smith, and Dolbel. Immigration and Emigration. Mr. Colenso, pursuant to notice, moved—- “ For a return forthwith of all Immigrants and Emigrants (distinguishing sex) to and from the Province of Hawke’s Bay for the 15 months ending June 30th, 1864.” —On looking at the Gazette , he found that the returns were formerly published, but it was a staring fact that no return of the kind had been published since the present Superintendent assumed office. Mr. Tiffen seconded the motion. Mr. M’Lean said the returns called for should be prepared. It was not considered necessary that they should be published in the Gazette; but the Collector of Customs had been requested to furnish them, and the required information would be supplied. Country Spirit Incenses. Mr. Colenso, according to notice, moved—- “ For a Return of all Licenses granted to retail spirit sellers in the Province of Hawke’s Bay for the year ending 1864 (exclusive of the Town of Napier) ; specifying the name of the person to whom, the place where, and the amount received for such License.” —His reason for bringing this motion forward was to still a kind of doubt or grumbling, which had reached his ears, of favoritism shown by the Government to some persons. Mr. M’Lean, in laying the Return on the table, called on the member for the Town to state a particular case where favoritism had been shown. The Government courted enquiry in the matter. Mr. Tiffen thought no stigma rested on the Government in the matter, and, although such return ought to have been published in order to clear up any doubt, he supposed the Government had overlooked it. Mr. Oemond saw by the Gazette it was sometimes published, but it afforded no great amount of information, and tended to swell the contents of the Gazette, and cause expense. He thought if the return was placed on the table it would answer all purposes. The statement of the member for the Town (Mr. C.), about doubts of favoritism, he considered unfair, unless he could give an instance of such being the case. Ho hoped the member for the Town, in his reply, would not introduce new matter as he had done the previous day, as the Government would not have an opportunity to answer them. Mr. Colenso hoped the Government were not going to meet him in such a spirit when merely asking for a return, the production of which would do away with any doubt or grumbling. The cost of publishing such a return in the Gazette would be very little—perhaps nothing, as there were often pages left blank. He thought he had done right in speaking as he did, as no doubt the same reports had reached the ears of the Government. He thanked Honor for laying the return on the table. Vaccination. Mr. Colenso, pursuant to notice, moved—- “ For a Return of all persons vaccinated in the Province of Hawke’s Bay under the Regulations of the “ Vaccination Act,” 1863 ; specifying sex, age, and descent—whether European, half-caste, or Maori.” —He thought the Act empowered the Superintendent to call for such returns, which he, (Mr. C.), hoped ho would do, and that they would be forthcoming, because it was necessary the Council should know whether the provisions of the ' Act had been carried out. He mentioned the Maori race particularly, as a medical man had been appointed to look after them, and it would be of little use Europeans vaccinating their children, unless the Maori children were vaccinated also. Mr. Tiffen, in seconding the motion, said he believed not one member would vote against it. Returns of that kind were, no doubt, being prepared in all the other Provinces, and he thought they should not be behindhand. Mr. M’Lean said the return was not likely to be prepared in time, owing to the scattered nature of these districts. The Provincial Surgeon had been short of a supply of lymph, but had now obtained it; and up to this time from 50 to 60 children had been vaccinated. The return from this Province would no doubt bo ready in due course, to be forwarded in common with the others to the Registrar-General, who was the proper person to receive them. Motion agreed to. Removal of Troops to Waipawa. Mr. Colenso, according to notice, moved—- “ That there be laid on the table all correspondence or other documents (or copies of the same) relative to the removal of a portion of H.M. troops from Gore Browne Barracks, at Napier, to Waipawa.” —ln rising to make this motion, he trusted the Government would not think he did it in an unfriendly spirit. Such a motion had been made on a former occasion, but no information was then given. He hoped, however, such would not bo the case now, for if it were, he should have to seek it in some other way. The officer commanding

during the tii|p the 65th were stationed here, had said that he was entirely under the control of the Resident Magistrate, and unless the Superintendent was prepared to say that such order had been rescinded, he trusted the required information would be given. He had been repeatedly asked from various parts, why the trops were removed to Waipawa, and had been obliged to reply that he thought they had been sent in a contrary direction to where they were wanted. Mr. M’Lean laid the correspondence on the table, and the motion was then withdrawn. Road from Union Bank to Barracks. Mr. Fitzgerald rose to move—- “ That the Superintendent be requested to place on the Estimates a sufficient sum (to be determined by the Provincial Engineer) for making the road between the Union Bank of Australia and the Barracks.” The Speaker thought such a motion irregular ; and that it was a matter for the Committee of supply to deal with. After some discussion, Mr. Fitzgerald gave notice that he would bring it forward the first sitting day of Committee of supply. Mr. Fitzgerald pursued the same course with regard to the following “ That the Superintendent be requested to place the sum of £SO on the Estimates for a public Time-piece.” The following motion to be made by Mr. Smith, was also disposed of in the same manner “ That the Superintendent be requested to place a sum of money oh the estimates to improve and extend the Milton Road, and metal the road to the Barracks.” Driving Cattle through the Town. Mr. Fitzgerald, pursuant to notice, — “Asked the Superintendent if the Government intended this session to introduce any measure with reference to the driving of cattle through the Town of Napier.” —Two accidents had happened from themnaner in which cattle had been driven through the streets, and the practice was a terror to women and children. There was no man sent ahead to give warning, as was requested by notice given in the papers, but which appeared to have no effect. Mr. M’Lean said such an Act had been contemplated by the Government, and he would invite the member for the Town to assist them in framing a Bill, as the Goveanment were somewhat pushed for time. It might yet bo possible to prepare a Police AcJ; this session, which would meet all such cases requiring redress. Highways Bill. Mr. Ormond moved—- “ For leave to bring in a Bill to be called the * Hawke’s Bay Highway Act.’ ” Mr. Colenso seconded the motion. Leave was granted and Bill brought in, read a first time, and ordered to be printed. The second reading was also made an order of the day for Thursday, the 7 th July. Ferry Regulations. Mr. Dolbel, pursuant to notice, moved : “For the appointment of a Select Committee to enquire into and report upon the present Ferry Regulations now in force in the Province of Hawke’s Bay, with a view to the adoption of some resolution required for the protection of the ferryman, and for the protection of the public ; such committee to consist of Messrs. Carling, Colenso, Smith, Rhodes, and the mover.” Mr. Colenso seconded the motion ; but thought the Government might have done something in the matter, which Would have rendered such a committee unnecessary. Mr. M’Lean said he felt anxious for members to look into these matters, and into anything whereby the Government might profit by their experience. The motion was then put and agreed to. Consideration of his Honor's Address. Mr. Colenso said he did not rise with diffidence on the present occasion, but with a serious feelinf of the weight of responsibility, such as he had never before experienced during his political career. He thought it would have shewn much better taste on the part of His Honor if he had been absent during the debate on his own address ; as his being present necessarily influenced his party. In other provinces Superintendent’s addresses were discussed and ventilated as members pleased. He (Mr. C.) would riot take up the consideration of the address in any unfriendly or hypercritical spirit; for, if he were to follow the example set by a celebrated grammarian with royal speeches, be might easily enough have plenty to do. He had endeavored to study the address ; but, from its being wholly devoid of perspicuity or logical sequence, ho had some difficulty. He had, however, arranged it under seven heads, viz., L The state of the Province (its “ prosperity”) ; 2. the Natives (war, troops, &c.) ; 3. Immigration ; 4. the Wellington Debt ; 5. Roads; 6. Steam ; 7. Sundries. These wore matters to be found in the address; but his astonishment was great at finding, not a word—not a passing allusion—to (at least) three great and important matters, viz., the Loan ; the acquisition of good Land ; Education. Surely such grave omissions went further to prove that the address itself was got up in a hurry—which, indeed, it bore too evident marks of. He hoped the Council would patiently hear him, although ho might trespass on their time much longer than usual. As a preliminary, he would ask—Why was not the Council called earlier together ? instead of now, on the 28th of June —the fifty-ninth minute of the eleventh hour! Was it not a fact, that, at the meeting of the Council in March, 1863, when three months additional Estimates were voted, it was then understood that the next meeting should be called early after, if not before, the expiry of the twelve months ? Was it not equally a fact, that the member for Porangabau (now in the Executive) had formerly loudly protested in that Council against a Council being called to deliberate on Estimates after the period for the coriimencoment of such estimates had been begun? Yet such was the case now; after, too, having given the

Superintendent a large margin of three months. He hoped to hear this fully explained. Ho would now proceed to the Address. 1. The state of the Province, and its great “material prosperity,” was a point largely dwelt on by His Honor. He (Mr. C.) hoped that the Province was in a really prosperous state ; but he greatly doubted it. He granted there was a kind of prosperity: but he denied altogether any " material prosperity.” There was a flash, summer’s day prosperity—an evanescent, ephemeral prosperity, caused by an increase of war expenditure by the additional military and Defence Corps; but that was far from being a material prosperity. Some members laughed at this ; but what were the facts ? Had land retained its value in the market ? Was it not lower now than it ever was ? Had any real increase been made to our population ?—ho meant, of those who were real settlers. No doubt contractors, &c., were now doing well; and goods were largely imported; and customs’ revenues were raised ; but what would assuredly occur tomorrow, when peace (such a peace as all parties desired) was made ? When H.M. troops would be all removed, and only an old woman left to look after Gore-Browno Barracks, as in many of the old castles in England,—and when, also, the Colonial Defence Corps would be no longer wanted? That time, which he hoped was near, would test the “ material prosperity” of his honor. For, it could not be, even by the most sanguine, for a moment entertained, that H.M. troops would, or could, be any longer stationed here, at such a small, insignificant place as this—smaller than many fishing-villages on the coast of Great Britain. Again : assuming that this momentary prosperity was real: did not that show the truth of his observations made 15 months ago in this Council —that the loan then so loudly and unthinkingly called for by hia Honor, was wholly unnecessary? In fact, the Address told us, “the Expenditure,” (although several thousands beyond what had been voted,) “had been kept within the income.” He argued thus :If this prosperity were “ material” and “ steadily increasing,” the Loan was not required ; if this prosperity was merely momentary, it would be (and was) deceiving, and the Loan obtained would only make matters and burthens hereafter worse. Let us be content to go steadily on, living within our income, was his desire ; and therefore ho once more, (seeing no Debentures had yet been issued,) implored the Government to re-consider their situation, and not to obtain the Loan. With permission he would read to them some useful and pertinent remarks on Provincial Loans, —remarks made by living financiers known to them. The first w T as by Mr. Stafford, a man to whom Hawke’s Bay was greatly indebted :

“ In his address to the Electors of Nelson, in October lost, Mr. Stafford spoke strongly of the dangers of our debt; showing how at first a thoughtful man disliked the feeling of indebtedness. But, he added—- “ But it is with this as with our vices—what startles us when first committed sits lightly on our consciences after some practice. IVhen people have got over the first experience of being in debt, they become callous about it; and communities, still more than individuals, are proverbially ready to do what a single individual)would not.dare. Finally, it appears not only a pleasant, hut a normal "state of things, to live on borrowed money.” (Now this, to a great extent, is what New Zealand has been doing for some years—living on borrowed money, and our punishment will surely come.) Mr. Stafford further said, that the limit of a state debt “ should be carefully guarded.” “ And that limit should bo such, that in a period of monetary panic, or depression, which arrives to all countries in turn—the existing resources would always provide for the interest of the debt, and thus maintain the public faith of the country. It will not do to trust in a crisis, to dormant resources , if a country would surely preserve its reputation for good faith.”

—The second quotation lie should i-ead to them, would be from a despatch on the subject of Provincial Loans, from the Secretary for the Colonics to the Governor, so far back as 1857, pointing out the necessity of restraining the borrowing powers of the Provinces lest the exercise of these should affect the security of the Colonial Revenue given to the Home Government when it guaranteed the New Zealand Loan of that year. In that despatch the following sentences occur. :

“ I have therefore to instruct you, in exorcise of the powers vested in you hy the Constitution Act, to require that all Bills of Provincial Legislatures for the purpose of raising monies by loan shall be reserved for your assent; not io give such assent in any case, unless either the amount is inconsiderable, and the purpose temporary, or the exigency appears to you so great as to render departure from this rule essential for the public convenience: and if ever Loans to any serious amount should appear to be required by a Province, to require that the Legislature should present to you resolutions to that effect, in order that you may confer with her Majesty’s Government previously to the introduction of any Bill for the purpose.”

—Now, nothing of that kind could be pleaded hero. The purpose is not temporary .- the exigency is not great : in fact, from his Honor’s own Address, no exigency exists; —the Loan is not required. He (Mr. C.), implored them to consider well what they were about. He wished them just to cast a glance at the Province of Southland. Was it not a fact that, at tho last meeting of this Council, that very Province was spoken of within these walls, as the most prosperous, (financially), most envied, Province of all in the whole Colony of New Zealand P And what was she now ? And how long will it take her to get right again P And what has caused her present distress and difficulty, but reckless borrowing—such as has been, or perhaps is, sought by our Provincial Government. He would trouble them with another quotation on provincial loans from the Nelson Colonist, and reprinted in the New Zealander, of the 17th ult., on account of its clearness and truthfulness:— “While the money is being spent— (and most of it is spent before it is received, so that even the deprecatory maxim of “ light come light go” is too good to bo applied) —many people do not seem to look to the end, or arc careless of it. The almost limitless powers of borrowing which have been given to the Provinces, or been taken by them, without check by tho Governor of the Colony, and tho results of the exercise of those powers are now having the attention of some of the better conducted newspapers of the Southern Island. While the war expenditure is going on In the North Island, it would, we are sorry to say, bo folly to expect the North Island people to think much of tho debt which permitted that expenditure and is now clinging to the Colony. Tho impatience towards anything that impedes rapid headlong progress in Colonial societies, throws a sanguine light over everything, and tho most remote and unlikely possibilities are deemed easily accessible ; while the advocates of caution, and cartful and {moderate advancement are for a time deemed obstacles and impediments; unlit, when perhaps 100 tale, the unerring course of events proves the error of the first proceeding. We see how Southland has suffered, and Is suffering by reason of wild extravagance, and an expenditure from which no return was possible for many ye’ara to come if over. What is true of Southland is true of the whole Colony of New Zealand, whose heavy debt, Provincial and General, Is beginning to toll on tho character of our credit in the money market at home. This is particularly true of Provincial

Securities, and the unmarketable condition of the debentures of Otago and Canterbury, which ought to be the most prosperous and trustworthy Provinces of the Colony, exemplify the evil effects of this reckless system. Had the wise regulations respecting Provincial borrowing, laid down by the Secretary of State for the Colonies in 1857, repeated by the Eichmond-Stafford ministry in 1800, and embodied in resolutions laid before the House of Assembly been strictly adhered to, the credit of the Colony would have remained stable, and its future would have shown no gathering clouds of that financial difficulty which is the sure follower of reckless borrowing tod its concomitant reckless expenditure.”

—Such statements as these, (with others of a like nature in several of the more respectable papers of the day,) cheered and strengthened him greatly, although he had stood almost alone in this matter of borrowing money. He had formerly told His Honor in that Council, that he (Mr. C.) would have considered him a better and a wiser man if he had come down to that Council determined to act with the public as with his private estate, and to live within its income. He (Mr. C.) had often and deeply considered this matter of the Loan—often, perhaps, when Napier was in bed, and the conclusion he was obliged to come to was, that either he or His Honor were wrong, seeing they were so diametrically opposed. If it were himself, then he thought (seeing he had no support from his Napier colleagues) he had no business there, he had better resign ; if, on the contrary, it were His Honor and his Executive, they had better resign, and not persevere to the ruin of the Province. He now came to the second head—the Natives, the war, more troops. He had hoped His Honor would have given them some valid reason for liis so earnestly seeking for additional military protection for the Province. None, however, was given in the address. It was true they were told that “ our northern frontier was near to the disturbed districts,” —that there was “ danger of fugitives from the seat of war retreating within our borders,” —and that “large numbers of natives lived on the East Coast,” but was all this anything new F had not such been the case for the last twenty years ? wore these not three truisms, which every one long ago knew, and which amounted really to a shadowy nothing ? One truth there was worthy of notice—“ our northern frontier was near to the disturbed districts,” but such being the case, why send troops into Waipawa towards the southern frontier ? He hoped the Government would tell them what dangers existed, or had been. He knew of none. He did not believe there ever wore any from among the natives of Hawke’s Bay. Of course, ho had not that information which, doubtless, His Honor possessed. But what did His Honor tell us in his Address, as to the natives, or rather in his two Addresses—in that of March, 1863, and in this of June, 1861, —the beginning and the end. In His Honor’s Address to that Council of March, 1863, he said—“lt 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 trauquility.”

—Now, that was His Honor’s belief fifteen months back, and he (Mr. C.) also believed what His Honor then said. But His Honor wont on further to say,—

" 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 arc steadily progressing in industrial pursuits, and in the acquisition of property and wealth, which they cannot alford and do not desire to lose.”

—Ho would now quote from His Honor’s present Address:— “It must be a source of great satisfaction to us all to know that tins Province has been steadily advancing in material prosperity. » * ♦ » The present state of the Natives within the Province contrasts very favourably with their conduct 15 mouths ago (!) * » » » a combination of causes which it may be unnecessary to enumerate, and the timely precautions which have been adopted, together with the friendly disposition of most of the resident chiefs, which it has been my constant effort to promote, have enabled us to avert the calamities of war, to which all the other Provinces in this Island have been more or less exposed.’’

—And, again, in conclusion His Honor pointed emphatically to “ the present satisfactory state of the relations existing between the European and native race in this Province.” Such, then, being the case, both Cfteen months ago and now, from His Honor's own words , what were the dangers which had called for more troops ? Surely His Honor was bound to shew them. Ho (Mr. C.) did not believe that any real danger had ever existed ; nay, more, he believed that His Honor’s action in so earnestly seeking for more troops had been disastrous to the Province. Such conduct hindered, if not destroyed, the real “material prosperity” of the Province. It kept out new settlers and capitalists ; it increased, if it did not create, a panic in many of those now here, retarding outlay and real (not seeming) progress. He knew of persons of capital in the middle island who would have come here with their families, but His Honor’s conduct in seeking more troops had hindered them. He (Mr. C.) had been written to by persons both north and south of Hawke’s Bay, and he had invariably answered be did not know of, and did not believe in, any real danger whatever from the natives of Hawke’s Bay ; and he again called on the Government to shew it. He would now proceed to the third head—the subject of Immigration. He cordially agreed with His Honor in his saying—

“Tho system of assisted Immigration to the Province’ is likely to be attended ■with success. Already advices of 115 immigrants having loft England have been received; and 100 more are shortly expected to follow. A well regulated and steady stream of Immigration may by this means be kept up, which, taken in connection with tho Immigrants proposed to be brought out under tho General Government scheme of Military settlement, will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the place.”

—with this one alteration, —that there was no occasion for his Honor to say, “ the system of assisted Immigration is likely to be attended with success,” —as if such were a new thing, or now first tried by his Honor’s Government. Such had always been successful; —had always been tho one system of this Province from its commencement; and had always been advocated by him (Mr. 0.), both here and elsewhere. But, what did his Honor mean; when, having stated, in strong, plain words, that such “ will be sufficient to meet the requirements of the place he then proceeds immediately to tell us his “ desire to have additional immigrants introduced by Miss Eye” 2 He (Mr. C.) was sorry his Honor had put Miss Eye’s name in his address. It was often unfortunate to have to mention certain things, but his (Mr. C.’s) interest

was the welfare of the Province. • Now this, —Immigrants to be introduced by Miss Eye,—he (Mr. C.) wholly disapproved of, and would both speak and vote against, as he had done on a former occasion. He asked permission to read to the Council a few quotations on this head ; some of which, opportunely enough, had only just been publicly spoken by members of the Provincial Council of a neighboring Province at present sitting; and first he would read to them what Mr. Borlase had said on the 14th ult., in the Provincial Council of Wellington:— “He (Mr. B.) could not assent to ttiat portion of His Honor’s speech concerning the introduction of unmarried females. By the census return it would he seen that there was a superabundance of females over males, and he considered it would be’ creating a • social evil.’ Mina Eye, told, is to send us some females selected by herself;*and he argued the introduction of them would only tend to fill our streets with demoralization. They would have no guarantee of their characters.” —Now, similar words to these he (Mr. C.) had formerly said himself. Two days later, we find Mr. Wallace also saying, in his seat in the Council, (and in the debate on Mr. Stokes’ motion for a tramway.) “ Ho (Mr. W.) would like to see the sum of £IO,OOO placed upon the Estimates for such a purpose; and he thought, that the £2,500 for steam subsidy with Melbourne,— the £4,000/or the importation of female emigrants under {Miss Rye’s system, and one or two other items, might very properly be made use of for this purpose.” —Moreover, from what he (Mr. C.) had also seen in Wellington papers of later dates, it was almost certain that the Provincial Council of Wellington would not vote money for such kind of Immigration. He would further read to them an extract from another Wellington paper, containing also extracts from the Times and from the Lyttelton Times, on this subject. “ miss rye’s immigrants. “ In referring the other day to the proposition of the Government to expend £4,000 on the introduction of unmarried females under the superiEtendenee of Miss Eye, we asked, where these unmarried females were to be sent—to service, or on the streets —and we respectfully beg on the Government a reply. There is no doubt a difficulty experienced here in obtaining good female servants, but we contend that tbe difficulty will not be remedied by Miss Eye’s proposed immigrauts. If good domestic servants cannot be obtained at home it is impossible for any of this class to be sent out here. ‘Every year,’ says the Times, ‘ the difficulty of obtaining good servants seems to increase. There is certainly an abundant supply of the raw material; there are always hundreds of people anxious for employment in a menial capacity; but the misfortune is they do not know their work. Nurses who are utterly in the dark as to the proper management of children, housemaids who think more of dress than of their duties, and cooks who cannot satisfactorily boil a potatoe, these arc the candidates for employment.’ These, or worse, would be the candidates for a passage under Miss Eye’s auspices, and these, and such as these, will neither makegood servants or good wives. They may remedy the disparity of the sexes, an evil which might be avoided, but they will probably prove rather a curse than a benefit in the Province. We shall be told that none but persons of'good character will be allowed a passage ; hut if good characters can be given to bad servants at homo what guarantees have we that good characters will not be more likely to be given to bad servants desirous of emigrating? To those inclined to poohpooh this question we commend the following paragraph : “It is indisputable that the general character of English servants is deteriorating, t whilst that of every other class is improving. No doubt ft is awkward to refuse a plausible demand for a favorable character. People begin to play good-natured tricks with their own conscience; they argue that the faults which offended them may not be so offensive elsewhere; they do not like to keep "a poor person out of employment; and they are also conscious that if they give an adverse report, which they cannot absolutely and exactly verify in every detail, they are liable to an action for damages. Thus it happens that the characters of servants on paper are like those of the dead on tombstones—always creditable. A hundred other causes contribute to the present unsatisfactory state of things: but this reluctance to tell the truth in such matters ts undoubtedly the cause of great trouble and annoyance. The results are plain and palpable enough. It is difficult to get good attendants of any kind whatever; and if things go on at the present rate, it will soon be simply impossible.” “ Miss Eye has not given satisfaction in the way she has performed her work, whether at Otago or Canterbury. ‘ Miss Eye,’ says the Lyttelton Times, ‘ cannot be considered as standing before the colonial public simply as a benevolent lady, a volunteer in the cause of what is right and good. Miss Eye, we believe, was directly employed by the London Times and by the Society for Promoting Female Emigration. Had she been simply a volunteer philanthropist, her good intentions would have disarmed criticism. But when she appears as the recognised agent of two important English bodies such as the London Times and the Society for Promoting Female Emigration, we are at liberty to object to the kind of agency which those bodies have adopted, and not less to the way in which the agent herself has done her work.” —He (Mr. C.) thought that what he had read was highly deserving of the greatest consideration by the Council. He did not believe any good would arise from Miss Eye’s so-called system of female Immigration ; on the contrary he believed, that it might prove to be a severe blow to this Province, if not a great curse. He now came to the fourth subject—the Wellington Debt. His Honor had told them, - in his Address, the commissioners chosen had “ failed in settling this question.” Now this was no more than ho (Mr. C.) had expected, and, in fact, very nearly stated, when he alone (again) opposed the selection of those gentlemen as Commissioners. At that time he felt sure they would fail, from his knowledge of the 3 Wellington Commissioners. There were two classes of men who never ought to be selected from for any important deliberative matter ; the one class was that of men, fit, but who had no time to give to it • the other class was that of (what are commonly termed) “ muffs.” A man, however knowing in other matters, might be a muff in some one intricate matter through ignorance of it. His only objection to the member for Porangahau, for whom he had a high respect, arose from his belief that he (the member for Porangahau) would not have time to attend to such a matter j otherwise no more fit person could bo found among them.- His next

subject was that of Roads. And here there were several things he did not like. He was sorry to find his Honor had not adhered to what he had stated in his first address, and on which the Estimates for the last year had been based. In that Address, (speaking[of Roads) his Honor had said : “■With regard to Beads, it appears to me, that all that can he done for the',present with our limited resources. is to keep in repair and complete as we can the main lines already commenced. Branch Boads should be undertaken by private enterprise, such grants in aid being allowed in fair proportion to each district as the resources of the Province will afford.” ■ —He found, however, in *His Honor’s'present address, that: — “ Several new lines have been opened up during the last year—several minor roads have been made in the Mohaka and Tautane districts,—also, a line of road . . . shortening the distance to Napier from the Euataniwha plains by 10 miles.” All this, as members knew, had increased the unvoted Road expenditure for the past year by £llOO (as stated by the Provincial Auditor in the Treasury accounts before them), and not only so, but by a further large sum of £3015 ! which, strange to say, at the close of the financial year, March 31, had been returned in the Treasury account as an advance unaccounted for!! Surely such a proceeding had never obtained before ; to allow, at the end of the financial year, the large sura of £3OOO to stand over in the hands of the Provincial Engineer as unaccounted for. But he (Mr. C.) had tabled a motion that day asking for an explanation. It was plain then, that, as to the branch and minor roads, the Superintendent had departed from his Address of last year ; but what struck him (Mr. C.) was, that of another road, making the third, to the Ruataniwha from Napier! He would ask His Honor the Superintendent—did he, with the perfect knowledge he had of this north island, know of anything like Ibis—three roads from one place to one other place! Why, in days gone by, this Council had repeatedly lamented the hitherto two roads (Te Ante and Middle) leading from Napier inland ; and now we had a third begun, which would have to be maintained. Again, His Honor had told them in his Address that “ the main trunk line from Napier to Eparaima, a distance of 65 miles, is now open for horse drays and traffic; and is metalled, with the exception of three and a half miles, from Havelock to Waipawa, so that mails will now he carried hy horse conveyance as far as Waipawa.” Now he (Mr. C.) regretted much of this paragraph ; for what was the unavoidable inference?—that all this was only now accomplished. Whereas, the mails have been carried for years by horse conveyance over that road ; and Capt. Newman and other gentlemen, had frequently driven to Town with their ladies and children in their curricles from To Waipukurau, if not beyond, for the last three years at least! Better if His Honor had told them how much had been metalled during the past year. But this kind of exaltation of the doings of the present Government was also to he found in many other parts of His Honor’s Address ; “cropping out,” as it were, showing the underlying stratum. The next matter was that of Steam. He (Mr. 0.) could find no fault with the Government for subsidising a fortnightly steam communication with Auckland at the beginning of the war, when only one monthly steamer called at Napier ; but surely there could be no necessity for any such subsidy when three or four, or even five steamers visited us monthly from Auckland. He believed, however, that the subsidy had been continued up to the end of the financial year. Here, again, was much public money thrown away. Lastly, with regard to many other topics touched on in his Honor’s address—such as a tramway, thistle act, drainage act, &c., these would all bo considered by-and-bye. He would only now say that he would vote to the last against one farthing ever being thrown away in the foolish attempt to eradicate thistles. Much public money had been uselessly squandered in neighboring provinces in this almost insane attempt. He had marvelled repeatedly at Wellington Province so acting; they might just as well attempt to put down their southerly gales by money or acts. It must be left to every man to do his best for his own land. Then, as to the Drainage Act; the manner in which such was spoken of by his Honor in his Address was very objectionable, after the promise which had been given by his Honor during the last session. The Settlers on Meanec Flats had hoped some good Drainage Act would have been passed last session ; and, no doubt, Clive, after the recent floods, would be glad to have it. Ho (Mr. C.) would not any longer take up the time of the Council; he would conclude by saying that the portions of the Address he most agreed with, were the first three and last four lines—the prologue and epilogue to the play ; only, however, substituting the singular for the plural— my, instead of our, in the end. Indeed, if such were parliamentary, he would table a motion of enquiry as to how many days the Executive (so-called) had really sat in deliberation during the past year, and he believed the answer would be— nil. [Want of space compels us to defer the conclusion of this debate until our issue of Monday. J