OPENING OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF HAWKE’S BAY.

Hawke's Bay Times, Volume 8, Issue 393, 12 July 1866, Page 3

OPENING OF THE PROVINCIAL COUNCIL OF HAWKE’S BAY.

The tenth session of the provincial Council of Hawke’s Bay commenced on Tuesday, the 19th June. The following is the speech of his Honor the Superintendent on the occasion ;— ■ Mr Speaker and Gentlemen of the Provincial Council, — In calling you together for the despatch of public business, I am happy to be able to congratulate you on the sound financial condition of the Province, and on the steady progress it is making in material prosperity and wealth. This progress is not of that fluctuating nature which has its periods of prosperity and depression, neither has it been promoted by the discovery of gold-fields or other extraneous causes, but it is cheifly owing to the energy displayed by the inhabitants, in developing the resources of a rich and productive District. In order to place this more clearly before you, X shall refer to the statistical returns of the last three years, which show that, while the. exports for the year 1863 were £86,592 145., those of a correspondingperiod in 1865 amounted to £181,281 55., exclusive of shipments of wool from the coast of the value of £20,000. The imports for the year ending 1863, amounted to £56,576 10s., and for 1865 to £87,616. The ordinary revenue daring the same time has more than doubled itself. I need not pursue this subject further, the figures quoted afford conclusive evidence of our advancement. The territorial revenue for the year will be in excess of the amount estimated. A very considerable share of this has been realised from the sale of a portion of the country acquired for settlement at the Wairoa, a District which has opened a fresh field for enterprise and industry, and has the further advantage of being situated in a position on our Northern frontier, which must greatly contribute to the security and stability of the Province, while it provides a want long felt, that of being suited to the requirements of an agricultural population. It is desirable that the settlement of this District should be encouraged by the expenditure of a fair proportion of the revenue derived from it, in such local public works as are found requisite, more especially in improving the navigation of the river. Besides the Wairoa, of which small portion only has been sold, there is still in posession of the Government at the Northern end of the Province valuable tracts of available country, the survey of which is in a forward state. There are also several Blocks of Native Land under offer, which are being purchased for the Government by Mr Locke, a gentleman whose experience and knowledge of native matters fully qualify him for this duty. You will be asked to pass an Act on the basis already recommended by you during the late session of Council, to authorise the subleasing by the Government of the Papakura and Hikutoto Blocks on the Ahuriri Plains. The settlement and occupation of those newlyacquired Lands in various parts of the Province must necessarily give increased impetus to both agricultural and commercial pursuits. in the midst of the various pressing occupations incident to early settlement, it is encouraging to observe that the important subject of Education is not neglected. The readiness with which funds are subscribed for the erection of schools is most creditable; in evidence of this it may be stated that in the begining of 1863 there were only three schools in working condition, with a total average daily attendance of 45 scholars, whereas there are now twelve common and denominational schools in various parts of the province, affording instruction to upwards of 300 pupils, and returning on the 21st March last an average daily attendance of 226. Six of those schools are conducted by trained masters introduced from Great Britain. In addition to public schools, there are several excellent private ones, so that the number.of pupils at present receiving instruction must be considerably over 400. The main lines of road throughout the province are in good repair. Those and other public works and undertakings have 'been carried on by Mr Weber, the Provincial Engineer, with his usual zeal and ability.' Two hundred men have been kept in constant employment on the public works since November last. The new line through the Forty-mile Bush to Manawatu on the West Coast will be completed this month. It extends from the entrance of the bush at the E/ua Taniwha Plains to the boundary of the Province at Te Ahu o Turanga, a distance of 35 miles. Much has yet to be done on the Wellington side before the whole line is open for regular traffic. This road will be of great importance in connecting the East and West Coasts of the island, and in facilitating intercourse with the country between Manawatu and Eangitikei, the settlement of which must prove of great advantage to our Province. As I shall again have occasion to convene the Council as soon after the sitting of the General Assembly as possibly, I shall only now ask you to vote the necessary supplies to carry on the public service in the interim. The war on the East Coast, which at first assumed such a serious aspect, has, in less than a year, been brought to a successful termination; this result is, in a great measure, due to the distinguished bravery and skill of the officers and men comprising the Colonial Forces, as well as to the loyalty and devotion so unmistakeably displayed by the friendly natives. The ending of the East Coast campaign after various brilliant achievements opens up much brighter prospects for the future of this Province, by creating that feeling of security which induces the introduction of Jfresh capital and labor, and furthers the formation and , progress o.f English settlement. On ,the 21st the following reply was moved by Mr T. K. Newton, one of the members for the town, and adopted on a division of seven against four; —

The Council receives with much pleasure your Honor’s assurance that the Province is in a sound financial position, and that the progress it is making, as shown by statistics your Honor has quoted is of a permanent character. The facts that the Ordinary Revenue has doubled itself during the past three years, and that the exports and imports have so materially increased, cannot but be matters of the highest gratification to us. We desire to express our satisfaction at the more than realisation of the estimate of Territorial Revenue for the past year, and that the lands disposed of have been suited to the requirements of the community. We anticipate that large benefits will accrue through the opening up of lands for settlement adjacent to the town of Napier. The subject of education is one of the greatest importance to the future of New Zealand, and vve are happy to learn that so much progress has been effected in that direction within our Province. Among the various topics which your Honor has commented on in your address, your allusion to the successful termination of the East Coast campaign is matter for sincere congratulation as affecting the security and interest of the Province, and that this Council desires to express its sense of obligation to your Honor for the zealous and able manner in which you have conducted the operations which have brought about this result. The Council was prorogued on Wednesday, the 27th June.