POLITICAL—PROVICIAL.

Southland Times, Volume III, Issue 229, 16 March 1866, Page 2

POLITICAL— PROVICIAL.

Since our last summary considerable political excitement has been experienced. The people being called upon to elect for candidates for tbfe General Assembly displayed more than an ordinary desire to secure the services of good men, and from the number of letters, indicative of public opinion, which have appeared in our columns, it is patent that more interest is now being taken in public affairs than has ever been -before displayed in this Province. The election for the town created great excitement, and the country also displayed a public spirit of an encouraging character. The great event of the month, however, has been the meeting of the Provincial Council. The railway question has, for sometime been freely discussed, and day by day, becoming more and more energetically debated by all classes of the community. The Council commenced itg fifth session, second Provincial Council, on Thursday, Bth instant. His Honor the Superintendent- opened it in person, and delivered the following address :'■ — '■ Mb. Spkakeb and Gtenthemes op the Provincial COHTNCII; ;— The last session of the Council was called for the purpose of passin an act bringing the liabilities of the province within the provisions of the Southland Debt Act, 1865, Jt h*a xmoi become necessary to pal* you

together for transaction of the ordinary business of the Province. Owing to some oversight m the AttorneyGeneral's Office, several Ordinances which had been passed at a previous session of the Council lapsed before the Governor's assent was obtained. These it will be necessary to re pass. I have abstained from occupying your time with the discussion of any projects of legislation that are not imparatively necessary ; but the fencing and cattle trespass Ordinances which will be submitted to you, are rendered so by the new Land Act, and are in accordance with the spirit of the resolutions on which that act was based. The Boads improvement Ordinance is also one which our present financial state renders desirable. Since the last session I have entered into a contract with Messrs. Smyth, Hoyt & Co., for the completion of the Bluff Harbor and Invercargill Railway, for 25,000 acres of land, the papers connected with which will be laid on the Council table. The works are progressing satisfactorily and I trust that ere long this important undertaking will be completed. Is is anticipated that this line of railway will be opened for public traffic in the month of June next. In that case it will be necessary that I should be invested with powers for leasing the line; should you agree with the Government that that course would be the most desirable to adopt, a bill for that purpose will, therefore, be laid before you. The estimates have been prepared with strict regard to economy combined with efficiency. The ordinary revenue is estimated to exceed the expenditure considerably. Such excess it is proposed to expend on the necessary repair of roads, &c. During the recess the Superintendent ol Otago "has forwarded to me copy of certain resolutions -passed by the Council of that Province, proposing the re-annexation of Southland to Otago. These -(rill be laid on the table of the ; House, and I shall be glad to be favored with your opinion on the subject. I have now to declare this Council open for the transaction of business, On Monday the 12th inst. the Eailway question was' brought on by Mr. Hay, moving for certain documents connected with the Government and its position, with reference to the Eailway Engineer which called forth a most animated and lengthened debate, which after two nights discussion, terminated in a " want of confidence " vote. We are therefore in the midst of another Ministerial crisis. The question upon which the Ministry were defeated, was simply as to the policy of sending certain claims of the Eailway Engineer to arbitration instead of resisting°them altogether. Another Ministry will most probably be formed in a day or two and the routine of the Government will receive but little interruption. The session will be sort, as with the exception of the railway matter, there is no question of moment to be brought forward, that of annexation to Otago is so distasteful that it is not likely to call forth much discussion at present. The present is a most critical period. The Middle Island provinces have been fleeced to support a Northern war until they have been reduced to a deplorable state, still they find that their interests are being sacrificed to satisfy the grasping instincts of the North. So strong is the power of Auckland that even the Sxajfpoed Ministry have yielded up to the Provincial Government the Colonies claim to over a million acres of confiscated land, advancedthem a hundredthouBand pounds of Colonial debentures, and contracted to obtain for them one hundred and iifty thousand more. How long is this bleeding of the South to in vigor and fatten the North to continue? Is the question of Separation one of importance or not ? Do the people of this Province feel no interest in the future, or is it that with a " hope deferred " diapondency they have ceased to care for politics ?" These are questions which should be carefully pondered and deliberately answered. The elections, with one exception, have terminated, Messrs. F. D. Bell, W. Wood, H. I-Llk-kisost elected. The political activity displayed at the election for Invercargill leads to the hope that the worst days of Southland are passed. The choice of representatives which has been made, is upon the whole, satisfactory. Mr. Dillon Bell was elected without opposiiion. Erom the high position he holds as a politician in New Zealand, gives him great influence in the House of Eepresentatives ; and as the other gentlemen who have been elected — Messrs. Wood and Hajtkiissois" — hold views not inconsistent with those of Mr. Bell, we dobt not all will work in unison for the advancement of the Province. The election for the city was sharply contested. The two candidates, Messrs. Heale and Wood, had each a number of warm supporters ; still, had the former gentleman been here in person previous to the election, he would undoubtedly have been the successful candidate. " A very large number did not vote on account of Mr. Heale' s alosence, yet he polled within two of his opponent. tt may be considered that Southland will not be badly represented fn the General Assembly during the next session. With four members — one a veteran of known metal — and the others of more than average ability, and undoubted integrity. Should they work in harmony, and we think they will, cannot faill to promate the revival of a prosperity as bright and more lasting than has yet been experienced. If satisfactory arrangements can be made for the completion of the railway, and the settlement of the lands in the vicinity of the line, the advancement of the Province will be secured, confidence will be restored, settlement "will follow, and the great productive capabilities of the country be acknowledged and developed.