provincial Council.

Hawke's Bay Times, Issue 1582, 5 June 1874, Page 242

provincial Council.

WEDNESDAY, 3rd JUNE.' Th.e Provincial Council was opened on j WeJnesday, the 3rd inst., at 3 pun. I Opening Address His Honor the Superintendent delivered the following address :-r Mk. Speaker and Gentlemen oe the Provincial Council. In addressing you on this occasion, I have again the pleasure of congratulating you on the prosperous condition of the province. Last session 1 anticipated that great progress would be made, but the year that has siuce; passed has produced greater results than any of us expected, and the province has,that time, made in greater advances than in any previous period; nor is there any reason to doubt that the coming year will see an equal advancement to that which has taken place during the year we are just ending. As evidences of our progress, I may refer to the very considerable increase in our population, as shown by the census just taken, which ?bows that the population has increased from 6,059 in 1871, to 9,239 in the present year, being at the rate of 52 per cent, increase in three years, which is proportionately more than double the rate of increase of any other province in the colony; Wellington being the next with an increase of 25 per cent, in the same time. Again, our trade is rapidly increasing, the imports for the present year being very largely in excess of last year, while our exports show an equally favorable result. Another marked feature is the increasing productiveness of the lands of the province ; everywhere English grasses are spreading, and. during the past few months such very large quantities of grass seed have been sown, as must produce very considerab'e results. The effect is, that the export of wool and tallow is rapidly increasing: the returns from which will enable our settlers to still further improve their holdings, and so add to the wealth and prosperity of the province. Another circumstance which I doubt not you will consider satisfactory is, that the revenue for the past year has largely exceeded the amount estimated, and that there was a cash balance in the Provincial Treasury on the 31st of May of £53.221. This sum, together with the revenue of the coming year, will be fully required to provide for the increased requirements of the province. Whilst T am thus able to congratulate you on the condition of the province in some respects, I cannot allow the opportunity to pass without expressing regret at the want of interest in public matters generally shown by the settlers, and it is not too much to say, th;.t in no part of the colony is so little done by the people for themselves as in Hawke's Bay. For instance, it is with extreme difficulty that the Road Boards are induced to take advantage of the General Government Road Board Grant, although the control of the expenditure is entirely in their own hands, and for purely local objects. In very many cases, every year, the sum apportioned to different districts is allowed to lapse from the want of the necessary attention to claim and expend it. It is also|the case that no part of the colony contributes so little in the shape of rates for public purposes. In Otago, Canterbury, and Wellington, the people of the towns and country districts pay very consiidci-üblt; nmil unci other rates, and take a proportionate interest in the management of their own affairs. For instance, all the principal towns in the colony provide out of rates for their own requirements &c.; direct the expenditure with great advantage to the comfort and welfare of the inhabitants, whilst here, the streets of Napier are dependent for repair and support on a vote of the Provincial Council of the province, which ought not to be required, and is altogether insufficient for the purpose. I believe the general supineness is a great evil, and I call attention to it, feeling sure that the requirements of both town and country are so great that they cannot continue to be met and provided for unless the people themselves take the same interest in public matters as they do elsewhere. Passing from this subject, I regret I am unable to advise of a satisfactory progress with the railway works. Tho section of the line from Napier to Paid Paki which should, according to the contract, have been completed last December, is still unfinished, and unless the works are more vigorously prosecuted, that portion of the line will scarcely be opened for next season's traffic. The loss of the use of the line to.the province is very great, the traffic to the inland districts being in excess of the haulage for it. I have called the attention of the General Government to the undue delay on the part of the contractors, and am assured that every effort shall be used to get the work pushed forward. Other sections to Waipukurau are being proceeded with more expeditiously, as well as the tramway from Waipukurau to the 70-Mile Bush, and there is, I trust, every reason to hope that the line will be opened that far within eighteen months from now.

In connection with the railway works, I would point out that one of the effects certain to result therefrom has commenced. I refer to the cutting up of the runs and the disposal of the land for farms, as in the case ot the Hotnewood Estate, lately disposed of. In supporting the railway policy, I never doubted this result would foilow, and I believe that with the opening of the railway, we shall see run after run cut up, and our magnificent inland districts devoted to the use of a large population.

I have 011 former occasions, referred to the advantages I am sure the province will gain, so soon as the extensive and valuable timber lands in the SeventyMile bush are tapped by the railway. Recent examination of the bush has shown, that immense quantities of totara and other valuable timbers exist there, sufficient to supply the wants of the whole colony for years. When these forests are joined by rail to Napier, not only will the very large expenditure on imported timber be saved to the province, and be spent within its boundaries, but a large export trade will be created, the extent of which it is not easy to calculate. I believe few are aware of the extent to which Hawke's Bay is importing timber, and what it costs, and, although I have made enquiries, I have not been able to get an accurate return. That the quantity is very large cannot be doubted, when we look at the extent of building operations, and you will, I am sure, agree with me, that it is our duty and interest,' to dp all iu our power to encourage the production of timber within the province. By doing so, it will employ a large population, and so benefit proportionately, trades and interests of all kinds. This result will ? 1 believe,

attend the connecting of the SeventyMile bush with Napier by rail. Another very important matter in which little has been done since last session, is in respect of the proposed breakwater or artificial harbor for Port Napier. A Bill, authorising the necessary hinds for this work was passed by the House of Representatives, but tailed to become law from the action of the Legislative Council, which bod}' rejected that, and all .other Bills, for borrowing money for Provincial purposes. ' Had that Bill become law, there would, I believe, have been no difficulty in gettingthe work undertaken. It will be for • you during the next session, to again consider this most important subject, and I trust you will take such steps as will lead to a favorable consideration of the matter during the approaching session-of the General Assembly., With the largelj increasing trade of Port- Napier, the subject is assuming greater importance, and I do not hesitate to express my opiuion, that it is the work most ini- , portant and most required in the province, and which would produce the greatest results. The success with which a similar work is progressing at Oamaru is the best, evidence of its feasibility. There, under much more difficult circumstances, the work is a decided success, arid is already proving of great benefit to the valuable districts it is opening. You no doubt saw the official report which the Engineer-in-Chief made for Parliament, on the proposed work at Napier, which was published in all the local papers. ' You are also aware that acting on that report, I communicated, with you individually by letter, asking your assent to the necessary expenditure of the test groins Mr. Carruthers recommended As I received the assent of a large majority of the Council, those groins are now in course of being placed, and would have been finished, but from the difficulty of procuring the timber necessary for their construction. In dealing with the harbor subject, I trust the Council will urge strongly upon the General Government the necessity of the work, and to ensure success, I am of opinion tiie Council should undertake on the part of the Province to raise special rates, if necessary, for securing the interest of the money to be expended on the work. Considering the large yearly sum, which the dues on exports and imparts would yield, the work may be expected to be self-paying when completed, so that the raising of a rate for interest would only be temporary. T would also advise setting aside as, security all the reelaimable land within the Ahuriri lagoon. This land would obtain a large increased value from the proposed work, and go far towards paying for its construction. I would also advise the Marae-o-maranni block being set aside as a security for the same purpose. With these securities, and undertaking to provide for the interest by special rates, and the harbour dues being first charged for payment of interest, I believe the Assembly would authorise the necessary funds to be borrowed. I invite you to give your earnest attention to this subject, and am satisfied it is of paramount importance to the future of the Province. Tne works you authorised last session for securing wharfage accommodation in the inner harbor, have been pushed on as quickly as material could be procured. The works are now in a forward state, and will, I hope, be finished in time for the eoming busy ser.son. The business of the Port is at present carried on with jur.v.Aiy, „„<i ik. ;«-.„...<,j ..„„.,.....nation the new wharves will afford is urgently needed. The subject of immigration is too important to be passed without notice. During the past year no part of the colony has suffered more for want of labour than Hawke's Bay, and this, notwithstanding that 1,028 people have been introduced during that time. So great, however, has been the demand for labor, that I have been compelled to postpone some of the Provincial Works for which you made appropriation last session, so as not to interfere with and injure private enterprise. Some important General Government works have also had to be postponed, owing to the same cause, and it is not too much to say that had not care been taken and the labor market watched, serious loss to the settlers would have resulted. It is to be hoped the large stream of immigration now flowing into the colony will remedy this state of things, and whilst labor sufficient for public and private works will be obtainable, the incoming immigrants will find as ready and profitable employment as they have hitherto. I have during the past year urged upon the General Government the wants of the province in this respect, and have at all times met with the greatest consideration. It has only been lately, however, that the Agent-General has been able to give effect to the instructions he has received, and supply the numbers ordered. Two vessels with 748 immigrants, are now on their way here, and the Hon. Minister for Immigration has, at my request, given instructions that a vessel shall arrive here with immigrants every other month through the winter, and that full ships shall be despatched so as to arrive here in each of the months of of October, November December, January, and February. You will recognise that at that season of the year, the income of a considerable population will be attended with the best results. The greatest difficulty in connection with the arrival of a large number of immigrants is the want of house-room for their accommodation ; this is alike felt in town and country, and is not peculiar to this province. By arrangement with the Minister for Immigration, some steps are being taken to provide for this want, and I shall ask you to place funds at my disposal for the same purpose. In one respect, immigration to this province has been exceptionally fortunate. I refer to the absence of sickness among the immigrants who have come here, This has been especially fortunate, as no quarantine arrangements are yet completed, although I am glad to say a sufficient depot is now in course of construction. The class of immigrants who have arrived among us during the year, has been good, as evidenced by the absence of crime, which has not increased whilst our population has materially. A very large number of applications have been made by people in the province, to get thtur friends out, and I am of opinion the nominated system of immigration is working with the best results, and secures a superior class ot people. If no check takes place in immigration now commg to New Zealand, we may expect about 2000 persons to arrive in Hawke's Bay before the close of the present year, and abundant work awaits them.

The principal Bills I propose to submit for your consideration are:—A consolidation of the present Fencing Acts, a Representation Act and a Sheep Act. The Fencing Act is merely a consolidation of the existing law upon the subject, and requires no comment.

The Representation Act is necessary to secure a fair re-arrangement of the Electoral Districts of the province prior to the approaching general election for the Provincial Council.

The Sheep Act is necessary, in consequence of the disallowance', on legal,; grounds of the Act passed lasf session. In the Bill I shall submit to- yofl'no legislation on foot-rot is proposed; .wliilst> the provisions in respect to- scab'are as* stringent as possible;': -,-y || '*, . ' i Another subject I; shall asjc you to , consider is, the regulations ainder which our Crown Lands are dealt with. At present a part of the PrOvincial-Estate is disposed of under Sir George* Grey's Land Regulations, and the Additional Regulations of the Province ot Welling-n ton ; other lands, including the 70-mile Busb, are subject to the Act of 1866, which does not work satisfactorily. The alterations I propose are, that in respect, to the remnant of the lands subject to Sir George Grey's Regulations, 10s, per acre shall be the price, in other words, that the sale of those lands at auction at an upset price of 5s be ended, and the regulations amended accordingly. With regard to the Act of 1866,1 propose to submit to you resolutions recommending a repeal of the Act, and the substitution or other provisions more suitable to existing requirements. The main feature of the proposed alterations will be the sale by auction of all new lands opened for sale, such as the 70-mile Bush, Puketitiri Bush, Mahia Block, and other lands that may be acquired. - Estimates of revenue and expenditure for the ensuing yeir will he laid before you without delay, and detailed explanations will then be given. I may, however, so far anticipate as to state that a large expenditure on public works 'will be requisite.

'1 he traffic on the main roads is so enormously increased that the cost of maintenance is becoming very heavy, and this will not be sensibly relieved until the railway is open to the centre of the inland districts. There are also demands from the outlying districts for improved road communication. There is also the necessity of connecting as many distric's as possible with the railway to •brm feeders for it, and so ensure such a.traffic as will make it a self-sup-porting and productive work. It will also be necessary to expend a considerable sum in giving access to lands in the 70-mile Bush, which it is proposed to open for sale during the coming year, and from which a considerable portion of the land revenue is expected to be derived. I shall also propose to you to provide out ot revenue, the cost of education for the coining j'ear; by so doing, 'the operation of the Rating Glauses of the Education Act will be postponed until the new. Provincial Council is elected, which will give the people of the province, the opportunity ot making known their, wishes upon the subject. You will be gratified to hear that the general progress of education in the province is satisfactory; that the at-; tendance at the schools is increasing, and that several new schools in localities where they are needed will shortly be opened. I attribute the general satis- 1 factory improvement in the schools to the zeal and efficiency with which their inspection is now conducted, and am satisfied that no part of the system is more important than that of careful and experienced inspection. In connection with the subject of Edu- .*™ ti« «•* .x **Am»u # —g-s aero —ft'amii* citnt sum to ensure house accommodation for teachers who are engaged in the work. At present, in the case of many of the schools, there is no residence for the teachers, and considering the small salaries they receive, it is necessary that provision should be made for this object, which will. I trust, be assisted liberally by the settlers in the different localities. You are no doubt aware, that among the Acts passed last session by the General Assemnly, there is a measure providing for an alteration in the manner of election of the Superintendent of this province. This Act was proposed in the House of Representatives by myself, and it was therefore through my action that it became law. I moved in the matter, because I was, and am of opinion, that the Superintendent of the Proviuce, should be elected by the people, and not by the Council. The Act, however, is so framed, that it does not come into force, until a majority of the electors petition His Excellency the Governor to bring it into operation, and as yet, no such action has been taken. Unless tne Act is brought into force prior to the election of the next Provincial Council, which will take place within a year from the present time, that Council will, on meeting, elect a Superintendent. I take this opportunity of drawing the attention of the Council, and the people of this province to this, and of expressing my hope, that the settlers of Hawke's Bay will claim v the privilege which rests in their bands, so that the next Superintendent may be elected by the whole constituency of the province. In connection with this subject, I take advantage of this opportunity to state it is not my Intention to seek re-election as Superintendent. The circumstances which induced me to take office have changed, and I have had the satisfaction during the term of my administration of seeing many of the chief objects for which I took office achieved.

The time that will probably elapse before an election will take place will I hope enable me to arrange other public matters in which I have moved and take interest, and I consider I shall then be entitled to a relief from duties which have been throughout the whole time I have been Superintendent more than usually arduous. I have availed myself of this occasion of announcing my intention on this subject, partly because I may not again have so fitting an opportunity, and also because I think it possible the announcement of my intended retirement may influence some of the electors to take the necessary steps to secure the election of the next Superintendent by the people. I now declare this Conncil open for despatch of business. On the motion of Mr' Kennedy, the address was ordered to be printed. Papers. His Honor the Superintendent laid the following papers on the table,— Report of the Inspector of Police. Report of the Harbor-master. Report of the Inspector of Sheep. Report of the Provincial Engineer on Public Works. Report of the Provincial Engineer on Roads. Report of -the Provincial Engiueer on the Napier and Taradale road. Report of the Provincial Engineer on the proposed Dray-road to Waiioa. Report of Mr Bold-on'the road'from Napier:to Wairoa, ■ >

Col. Lambert moved that the Reports of the Provincial Engineer on Roads and on Public Works be printed. Mr Sutton moved as an amendment whole of the Reports just laid on theliable be printed. They were of little value'Jj.n .their present form, and unless printeqfe would not be accessible for reference'after the close of the session. Motion withdrawn, and amendment Carried, f.:^,:S' Explanation by the Speaker. , The Speaker reminded the members that last session ho had been instructed by the Council to present a petition having reference: Commission to both houses -of the Legislature. The Speaker of the House of Representatives declined to receiveit at his hands, on the ground that such a course was unprecedented; and stated that it could only be Teccived in the usual manner, through a member of the House. He therefore took that course ; Mr Walter Johnson, the member for Manawatu, whom he asked to present the, petition, did so readily, and it was received without demur. In the Upper House, however, he anticipated meeting with somejdifficulty, and his anticipations were justified. He of course refrained from aßking members connected with this Province to present the petition ; he asked one member and another from various parts of the Colony, bnt was met by polite refusals. Finally, he asked the Hon. Robert Pharazyn, who assented with* out any scruple. That gentleman accordingly tender the petition, but the Legislative Council declined to receive it. He had placed Mr Pharazyu's letter? notifying this fact in the hands of the Clerk for the information of the members} but did not purpose making it a record unless so ordered by the Council. Notices of Motion. ■.-, ■■;. « Mr Ormond gave notice that he would introduce Bills to amend the Sheep Act, aud Fencing Act; a Bill to administer certain Provincial reserves, and Bills appropriating sites for the Napier Girls' School and Napier Common School. He would also next sitting-day move that the Council resolve itself into Committee' of Ways and Means to consider the estimated revenue, on which occasion he would be prepared'to make his usual financial statement. The Council then adjourned, THURSDAY, 4th MAY. : , ,;" : Council met at 3 p,m, The minutes of the last meeting, were read and confirmed, Petitions. Capt. Russell presented a petition ; from Robert M'Knignt,an old soldier, who considered himself, entitled to a grant of 60 acres of land.—Read and received. Capt. Russell then moved that the petition, be printi.-d. This was opposed ,by Col. Lambert and Mr Sutton, on the ground thaFa similar petition was presented last session, when ' the l matter watyfujly discussed, and the Council decided that the applicant had no claim. —'Mr Johnston be gianted without its being printed.— The motion for printing was negatived. Mr Johnston presented a petition from 136 residents of the Waipukurau and Ruataniwha districts, praying for the construction of a main road over the hill by the Waipukurau Gorge.-—Read, received, and ordered to be printed. Papers. His Honor the Superintendent laid on the table— *■ Report of Inspector of Schools. Report of the Chief Surveyor on Survey's. Report of the Jailer.

Correspondence between General and Provincial Governments on the subject of the Provincial Government taking charge of Immigration, Letter from the Colonial Secretary to the Superintendent regarding the maintenance of Roads by the Province, and his Honor's reply. Report of Mr Rochfort on the Wairoa road.

Mr Kennedy' moved that the documents just, laid on the table be printed,— Col. said this was a serious matter. He would oppose the motion, many of these papers beiDg of no publio moment.—-Mr Kennedy said they had been prepared with great care by officers of the Government, and in their present form it was impossible for members to become acquainted with their contents. —Mr Sutton said that if these reports were necessary at all, it was necessary that they should be publishd. Laying them on the table was no publication. The public outside took an interest in these papers and ought to have access to them, —Mr Ormond said it was quite necessary to print important papers, such as the report on Education ; but he thought the Council might dispense with printing such reports as those of the Jailor, Police Inspector, and Harbor-master, relating merely to the routine work of their respective departments.—Motion agreed to. fenders, Mr Sutton, with the leave of the Council, wished to ask his Honor the Superintendent to lay on the table the Renders recently put iii for' various Provincial supplies. He had heard from several sources that ;the decisions had not all been in • accordance with the rule of accepting the' lowest', tender—thai one tender at any rate, had been acceptedby which the Province would be a considerable loser. He thought it due&both to the tenderers and the gentlemen who decided upon the tenders, that the matter should bo cleared up, and that the Council should have an opportunity of satisfying itself as to whether assertions which had been freely made butiide the Council were Well founded. ; , '• : - ,; '-' ; ~ :>: ' '. '" : f l ' i]! '" j ;. : .'

Col. Lambert thought the hon. member should have taken the regular course of giving notice of motion, o Hia Honor would have preferred a motion brought forward in the regular way.' There was no possible objection \o the request made; but as the tenders were very numerous; perliaps the member would indicate the particular matter which he

stage,* too, : he"would 3have done'HetteKif he nad refrained fi-oiii referring to .reports', outside., -, ..';'"' ' '..<"', ";';:",., ■'{' i the only contract toj which he, had heacd special reference was a thatrelating to;the provincial printing. : '[ 'His' lipNo'K s said Ihe would lay the 'ten- \ ders forprinting on the table next sittingday. T . { , . ,-. ... _„,.., . -.. ~.,,;!, r'ivr-1 ym [til?, , Bills. The following Bills were theu'iritroduced by his Honor, read.a first time, and . ortiered'to oe.printed :—l, Representation Act Amendment;.2, Sheep Act Amend: ment: 3, Fencing Act Amendment; 4, Administration of certain Reserves; 5, Girls' School Site; 6, Common School Site Repeal Act. The second reading of No. 2, 5, and 6 was fixed for this afternoon, the others for Tuesday., ■<./;.; Ways and Means..; ' The Council than went to Committee of Ways and Means, and his Honor delivered his financial statement, which we will publish in full in our next issue. The estimated revenue for the year has been greatly exceeded, and a'"' substantial balance remains to the credit of the' Province. , •, -.': Supply, -v;The Council then went pro forma into Committee of Supply, and reported progress ; his Honor laid on the table" a return showing the.amount recovered during the. year on immigrants' promissary notes, and the Council • adjourned till 3 p.m. to-day.